A young refugee sits in a tent in Pakistan in 2025 with a plate of food. Pakistan and nine other countries account for two-thirds of the food-insecure people, according to a recent report.
Photo by Carlos Duarte, courtesy of iStockphoto
“In these difficult times, understanding who is most at risk, where they are and what they need is more critical than ever.”
—António Guterres
Nearly three years after war disrupted daily life in Gaza, Palestinians continue to face an ongoing hunger crisis.
Israeli-led bans on humanitarian aid organizations have decreased access to food, clean water and medical supplies, while airstrikes have devastated key parts of its food system, from bakeries and mills to local markets.
The crisis in Gaza reflects a broader global trend: food insecurity driven by conflict, economic crises and extreme weather is increasing around the world. A record 266 million people experienced acute food insecurity last year, according to the “Global Food Crises Report 2026,” released in April.
“In these difficult times, understanding who is most at risk, where they are and what they need is more critical than ever,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said in the report. “Ending hunger is a test of our shared humanity. It is a test we cannot fail.”
The report found that levels of acute food insecurity (a short-term, life-threatening lack of food) have almost doubled since 2016. While crises are spreading globally, just 10 countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) account for two-thirds of those facing high levels of insecurity.
For the first time in the report’s 10-year history, two famines were declared in a single year, in Gaza and Sudan, where civil war and widespread violence have disrupted food systems and displaced millions.
Along with Gaza and Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti and Mali faced the most severe levels of food insecurity, with a total of 1.4 million people suffering catastrophic hunger, a more than nine-fold increase since 2016.
In 2025, more than 85 million people were forcibly displaced in food-stressed areas, including internally displaced people, asylum seekers and refugees.
Like many crises, children are the most affected. More than 35 million children were suffering from acute malnutrition in 2025, of which 10 million were suffering from severe acute malnutrition. The impacts can last a lifetime. Childhood malnutrition is linked to stunted growth, cognitive delays, weakened immune systems, psychological stress and behavioral problems. In the most severe cases, it can be fatal and contributes to approximately 3 million deaths each year.
“This is not about food shortages, but rather a lack of political will to ensure that children around the world have access to basic nutrition, clean water and the essential services they depend on to survive and grow,” Catherine Russell, JD, executive director of UNICEF, said in a press release. “In a world of plenty, there is no reason for a child to suffer or die from malnutrition.”
Globally, the outlook is worsening. Extreme weather conditions are likely to intensify, with droughts, floods, storms and heat waves causing damage to crops, livestock and infrastructure. Last year, extreme weather events were the leading cause of food insecurity in 16 countries and territories. The extremes affected more than 87 million people.
The ongoing conflicts in the Middle East are also likely to put even more pressure on already fragile systems. Violence has displaced millions of people, while rising energy and transportation costs are driving up food prices. Meanwhile, disruptions to trade routes carrying energy and fertilizer could hit global food markets, the report warns.
The escalation of the crisis is taking place amid a sharp decline in humanitarian aid. Funding for food security and nutrition has returned to levels last seen almost a decade ago. The United States, historically the largest donor of global humanitarian assistance, has significantly cut foreign aid under the Trump administration.
“We have the experience, resources and knowledge to break the cycle of hunger, prevent famine and save countless lives,” Cindy McCain, executive director of the World Food Programme, said in a news release. “What is needed now is a collective effort to end conflict and the resources needed to drive real change.”
For more information, visit www.luchacomidacrises.net.
- Copyright The Nation’s Health, American Public Health Association
