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AMMAN — Millions of people across 13 countries are expected to face worsening acute food insecurity between June and November 2026, according to a new report released on Wednesday by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP).
The latest edition of the Hunger Hotspots report, produced through the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC), identifies Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine as the world's most critical hunger hotspots due to the severity and scale of food insecurity.
Northeast Nigeria was added to the list of highest-concern areas after projections showed that populations in Borno State could face catastrophic levels of hunger in the coming months. Somalia was also classified among the most severe hotspots, with parts of Burhakaba District in the Bay region facing a risk of famine.
According to the report, a copy of which was sent to The Jordan Times, conflict and violence remain the main drivers of food insecurity, affecting 12 of the 13 hotspots. Economic shocks, severe funding shortages and the expected impacts of an El Niño weather event are further worsening conditions in vulnerable countries.
The agencies warned that humanitarian funding has fallen sharply in recent years. Funding for food assistance, emergency agricultural support and nutrition programmes declined by an estimated 59 per cent between 2022 and 2025, dropping to levels last seen nearly a decade ago. Meanwhile, the number of people facing high levels of acute food insecurity in the affected countries has risen to about 266 million.
The report also highlights additional threats, including the spillover effects of conflict in the Middle East and an Ebola outbreak in eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, which could further disrupt livelihoods, markets and humanitarian access.
“We already know where the next hunger emergencies will occur,” FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said. “The challenge is whether we act early enough and at the necessary scale.”
Bechdol stressed that early investment in emergency agricultural assistance and resilience-building measures is among the most cost-effective ways to protect livelihoods, maintain food production and reduce future humanitarian needs.
WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau urged immediate action to prevent conditions from deteriorating further.
“The warnings in this report cannot be ignored,” Skau said. “Without action now, millions more are expected to face worsening levels of hunger in the months ahead, pushing some closer to famine.”
Areas of highest concern
In Palestine, conditions in the Gaza Strip have improved since the October 2025 ceasefire but remain fragile. The report noted that the territory faced a risk of famine through mid-April 2026, with 1.6 million people requiring urgent food assistance.
Sudan continues to face one of the world's most severe hunger crises. A risk of famine has been identified in 14 areas across North Darfur, South Darfur and South Kordofan through September 2026. About 19.5 million people, representing 41 per cent of the population, experienced high levels of acute food insecurity through May, with conditions expected to worsen.
In South Sudan, 7.8 million people — more than half the population — are projected to face crisis-level or worse food insecurity between April and July 2026. Four counties remain at risk of famine.
Yemen is also expected to remain among the countries with the highest levels of hunger, with millions projected to face crisis or emergency food insecurity during 2026.
In Northeast Nigeria, around 15,000 people in Borno State are expected to face catastrophic hunger between June and August, while Somalia is grappling with worsening food insecurity linked to prolonged drought, poor harvests, conflict and regional instability.
Other hotspots
Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Haiti were classified as hotspots of very high concern.
The report said Afghanistan continues to struggle with recurring drought, high food prices and insecurity. In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, conflict, displacement and the resurgence of Ebola are intensifying humanitarian challenges. Haiti moved from the highest-concern category to very high concern following limited improvements, although conditions remain fragile.
Myanmar and Mali were also identified as hotspots where food insecurity is expected to deteriorate due to conflict, economic pressures and climate-related shocks.
Lebanon and Madagascar were added to the list following an escalation in hostilities and adverse weather conditions, respectively.
Call for urgent action
FAO and WFP called for urgent international action to expand humanitarian assistance, ensure safe access for aid delivery, protect livelihoods and strengthen resilience in vulnerable communities.
The agencies stressed that early intervention remains far more effective and less costly than responding after crises escalate, warning that without stronger political commitment and predictable funding, hunger emergencies are likely to deepen across some of the world's most vulnerable regions in the second half of 2026.
