UN Warns of Rising Starvation Risks Globally

ROME — A recent warning from two U.N. agencies highlights that millions more people are facing the threat of starvation in at least a dozen critical regions around the globe, notably in Sudan and Gaza. This alarming situation comes as international aid declines.

In a joint report from the World Food Program (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), they identified countries like Haiti, Mali, South Sudan, and Yemen as being in “catastrophic famine” or on the brink of starvation.

Additionally, the report raised significant concerns about hunger situations in six other nations: Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria.

Amid these troubling circumstances, the WFP and FAO stated that a lack of humanitarian funding is “severely hampering emergency responses.” This shortfall has led to major cuts in food rations and diminished access to food for the most vulnerable, with assistance for refugees nearing a breaking point.

The two agencies urged governments and donors for increased support, revealing that only about $10.5 billion of the estimated $29 billion needed for those at risk had been provided by the end of October.

“Preventing hunger is not just a moral obligation; it’s also a smart investment in long-term peace and stability,” remarked FAO Director-General QU Dongyu. He emphasized that peace is essential for food security and that the right to food should be recognized as a fundamental human right.

Historically, the United States has been the largest contributor to these U.N. agencies, but foreign aid from the U.S. was reduced during President Donald Trump’s administration. Other major countries have similarly made cuts to development and humanitarian assistance.