The forecast for 2025 appears quite grim, with over 295 million individuals experiencing severe hunger last year. This alarming figure marks a record high caused primarily by conflict and various crises.
A global report addressing the food crisis highlighted that this increase marks the sixth year in a row where “high levels” of acute food insecurity have spiked.
In total, 295.3 million people were reported to be suffering from acute hunger, which is nearly a quarter of the population in 53 out of the 65 countries examined in the study.
This represents an increase from 281.6 million people affected in 2023, according to findings from a coalition of international organizations and NGOs.
Moreover, the report indicates that the number facing hunger has surged to 1.9 million, more than doubling from the previous year.
The Food Security Monitor raised alarms about Gaza, indicating it faced a “significant risk of hunger,” especially considering the ongoing aid restrictions imposed by Israel for over two months.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noted in the report that places like Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Mali are experiencing catastrophic hunger due to conflict and other contributing factors, pushing many households to the brink of starvation.
“The situation is serious. Hunger and malnutrition are spreading quicker than we can respond, yet a third of all food produced globally goes to waste,” he pointed out.
The report identified conflict and violence as the primary causes of acute hunger for 140 million people across 20 countries and territories.
Extreme weather events impacted 18 nations, while “economic shocks” affected another 15, totaling more than 155 million people in dire situations.
Despite some improvements in countries like Afghanistan and Kenya, the deteriorating situations in Gaza, Myanmar, and Sudan overshadowed those gains.
The report emphasized that the outlook for 2025 remains troubling as key donor nations have drastically cut their humanitarian aid.
Guterres labeled the current conditions as a “failure of humanity,” underscoring that hunger in the 21st century is unacceptable and that empty stomachs demand immediate attention.
The sudden reduction in funding for humanitarian efforts is particularly concerning, impacting operations in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
Projected funding for the humanitarian food sector may plummet by up to 45%, he cautioned.
The Trump administration notably decreased foreign aid, a trend that has been reflected in other countries as well.
The report also suggested that an “economic shock” could become a significant factor in escalating food insecurity as the global economy navigates high levels of uncertainty fueled by weak U.S. tariffs and the strength of the dollar.
