Quick summary:
• 343 million people worldwide face acute food insecurity, a 10 percent rise from last year.
• 1.9 million people are near famine, with catastrophic hunger in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti.
• The World Food Program urgently requires $16.9 billion to address escalating hunger in 2025.
• Sub-Saharan Africa and Gaza are among the hardest-hit regions, driven by conflict and climate disasters.
• Without action, 2025 will bring “unrelenting crises” as hunger worsens globally.
The global hunger crisis has reached alarming levels, with 343 million people across 74 countries experiencing acute food insecurity, according to the World Food Program (WFP). This represents a 10% increase from last year, highlighting the urgent need for international action to address the escalating crisis. Among the most vulnerable, 1.9 million people are on the brink of famine, with catastrophic hunger recorded in Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali.
Cindy McCain, WFP’s Executive Director, underscored the gravity of the situation: “Global humanitarian needs are rising, fuelled by devastating conflicts, more frequent climate disasters, and extensive economic turmoil. Yet funding is failing to keep pace.” The WFP is calling for $16.9 billion in funding for 2025 to deliver life-saving assistance to 123 million of the world’s most vulnerable individuals. This amount, they point out, is less than what the global community spends on coffee in just two weeks.
Sub-Saharan Africa remains the hardest-hit region, with over 170 million people facing acute hunger. The region accounts for half of the WFP’s projected funding needs for 2025. Violent conflicts in Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and the Sahel region, combined with climate extremes exacerbated by El Niño, have deepened the crisis.
In Sudan, famine was declared in camps in North Darfur where hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals reside. In the DRC, 25.6 million people—or one in four—suffer from crisis-level hunger or worse. The region’s fragile context, driven by both conflict and environmental challenges, continues to place immense strain on humanitarian operations.
Peter Musoko, WFP’s country director for the DRC, described the stakes: “In such a fragile context, the cost of inaction is truly unthinkable. Together, we need to work with the government and the humanitarian community to increase resources for this neglected crisis.”
The Middle East has seen hunger skyrocket, with Gaza, Syria, and Yemen among the hardest-hit regions. In Gaza, 91 percent of the population is acutely food insecure, with 16% living under catastrophic conditions. The situation has been exacerbated by a near-total blockade, forced displacements, and relentless bombardment.
The United Nations has warned of a “stark increase” in the number of households facing severe hunger in Gaza’s southern and central areas. Many residents are surviving on just one meal per day. The situation is critical, with humanitarian access severely restricted.
“We urgently need financial and diplomatic support from the international community: to reverse the rising tide of global needs and help vulnerable communities build long-term resilience against food insecurity,” McCain emphasized.
In Asia and the Pacific, 88 million people are battling hunger caused by increasingly frequent climate-related disasters. Afghanistan, Myanmar, and Bangladesh have been among the hardest hit.
Afghanistan has seen 12.4 million people facing acute food insecurity due to devastating floods and political instability. Meanwhile, Myanmar’s Typhoon Yagi displaced thousands, exacerbating food insecurity amid ongoing civil unrest. Severe flooding in Bangladesh has affected nearly 6 million people, further destabilizing food systems in the region.
WFP plans to bolster social protection systems and implement anticipatory action to mitigate the effects of future climate shocks.
Latin America and the Caribbean are not spared from the hunger crisis, with over 40 million people experiencing food insecurity. Of these, 14.2 million require immediate assistance. Economic instability, combined with climate impacts, has left vulnerable communities at heightened risk.
WFP’s efforts in the region focus on strengthening food systems, building climate resilience, and supporting social protection programs to prevent further deterioration. These initiatives aim to stabilize communities and ensure long-term food security.
The WFP’s operations have been significantly hindered by funding shortfalls. In 2024, the agency was forced to scale back activities, leaving millions of the most vulnerable without assistance. The reduced aid distribution has further compounded the challenges faced by those in crisis zones.
The need for $16.9 billion to address global hunger pales in comparison to the annual military spending of wealthier nations. The WFP warns that failure to act will lead to widespread suffering and exacerbate existing inequalities.
The WFP’s 2025 Global Outlook highlights the urgent need for international cooperation to tackle the root causes of hunger, including conflicts, climate change, and economic instability. Strengthening food systems, providing emergency aid, and ensuring unrestricted humanitarian access are key to addressing the crisis.
McCain concluded: “At WFP, we are dedicated to achieving a world without hunger. But to get there, we urgently need financial and diplomatic support from the international community to reverse the rising tide of global needs and help vulnerable communities build long-term resilience against food insecurity.”
To donate to the World Food Program and support their efforts for 2025, click here. To read about how to address hunger in 2025, click here.
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