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More than 295 million people faced acute food insecurity in 2024, marking the highest level since global monitoring began, according to the Global Report on Food Crises released Friday. The situation is expected to worsen in 2025, as humanitarian aid funding sharply declines, raising alarm among international organizations.
The report, which is produced by a consortium of international agencies and NGOs including the United Nations, highlights that acute hunger continues to rise steadily, driven by violent conflict, economic turmoil, and extreme weather events. This marks the sixth consecutive year of increases in global hunger.
One in Four People in Crisis-Affected Countries Go Hungry
The report analyzed data from 65 countries, finding that 295.3 million people in 53 of them faced high levels of food insecurity — that’s nearly one in four people in those regions. This number is up from 281.6 million in 2023, a disturbing upward trend.
Even more concerning is the number of individuals facing catastrophic hunger, or famine-like conditions, which has more than doubled to 1.9 million people. These are populations entirely reliant on emergency food aid to survive.
Conflict Remains the Leading Cause of Hunger
Armed conflict continues to be the primary driver of acute hunger, particularly in 20 conflict-ridden countries and territories where 140 million people are in crisis. From Gaza and Sudan to Yemen and Mali, war has destroyed livelihoods, restricted access to food, and displaced millions.
China Renames Arunachal Pradesh as ‘Zangnan’ Amid Rising Tensions
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres emphasized the human cost of these conflicts, stating:
“From Gaza and Sudan, to Yemen and Mali, catastrophic hunger driven by conflict and other factors is hitting record highs, pushing households to the edge of starvation.”
Gaza at ‘Critical Risk’ of Famine
The situation in Gaza has become especially dire following more than two months of an Israeli aid blockade, leading food security monitors to declare a critical risk of famine in the region.
Ongoing conflicts in Myanmar and Sudan have also significantly worsened food insecurity, offsetting improvements seen in countries like Afghanistan and Kenya.
Climate and Economic Crises Deepen the Emergency
While conflict is the primary cause, climate extremes and economic shocks are also major drivers of hunger. The report identifies:
- Extreme weather as the main factor in 18 countries
- Economic instability as the top issue in 15 countries
Together, these affected over 155 million people in 2024.
The report warns that global economic uncertainty, exacerbated by trade tariffs and a weaker U.S. dollar, will likely worsen food insecurity in the coming year.
Humanitarian Funding Cuts Threaten Lives
Perhaps the most alarming trend is the decline in humanitarian funding. The report highlights that aid to food sectors could be cut by up to 45% in 2025. Critical programs in countries like Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen are already being disrupted due to budget shortfalls.
Guterres condemned the reduction in funding, calling it a moral failure:
“This is more than a failure of systems — it is a failure of humanity. Hunger in the 21st century is indefensible. We cannot respond to empty stomachs with empty hands and turned backs.”
While U.S. foreign aid has been significantly reduced — a trend that began under former President Donald Trump — other traditional donor countries have also scaled back their commitments.
A Bleak Forecast for 2025
Looking ahead, the outlook for 2025 is “bleak,” according to the report. With funding declines, ongoing conflicts, and intensifying climate events, the number of people facing life-threatening food insecurity is expected to rise further.
Unless urgent and coordinated international action is taken, the world may soon face the largest hunger crisis in modern history.
