Acute Food Insecurity and Malnutrition Surge as Crises Deepen, UN and EU Warn in New Report
Acute food insecurity and malnutrition levels are alarmingly high and entrenched, with crises increasingly concentrated in a select group of countries, according to the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2026, released by an international alliance. This tenth edition reveals that acute hunger has doubled over the past decade, with two famines declared last year for the first time in the report’s history.
Concentration of Crises in Key Countries
The report from the Global Network Against Food Crises indicates that ten countries—Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen—account for two-thirds of individuals facing severe acute hunger. Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen are noted as experiencing the largest food crises in both percentage and absolute numbers of people affected.
Famine was identified in Gaza Governorate and parts of Sudan in 2025 by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system. This marks a significant escalation in extreme hunger and malnutrition, primarily driven by conflict, restricted humanitarian access, and exacerbated by forced displacement.
Alarming Statistics on Food Insecurity
In total, 266 million people across 47 countries and territories faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025, representing nearly 23 percent of the analyzed population. This figure is slightly higher than in 2024 and nearly double the share recorded in 2016. The severity of acute food insecurity in 2025 was the second highest on record, with the number of individuals facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) being nine times greater than in 2016.
Acute malnutrition remains a critical concern, with 35.5 million children acutely malnourished in 2025, including nearly 10 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition. Almost half of the contexts experiencing food crises also faced nutrition crises, reflecting the combined effects of inadequate diets, disease burdens, and breakdowns in essential services. Severe contexts, such as Gaza, Myanmar, South Sudan, and Sudan, have seen extreme malnutrition levels and heightened mortality risks.
Impact of Forced Displacement
Forced displacement has further exacerbated food insecurity, with over 85 million people forcibly displaced in 2025, including internally displaced persons, asylum-seekers, and refugees. Those forced to flee consistently experience higher levels of acute hunger compared to host communities.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres highlighted that conflict remains the primary driver of acute food insecurity and malnutrition for millions globally. He emphasized the unprecedented nature of famine emerging in two conflict-affected areas within the same year, calling for urgent political will to enhance investment in lifesaving aid and to resolve the conflicts causing immense suffering.
Outlook for 2026
The report warns that severe levels of acute food insecurity will likely persist in multiple contexts throughout 2026. Ongoing conflicts, climate variability, and global economic uncertainty—particularly risks to food markets—are expected to sustain or worsen conditions in many countries.
The escalation of conflict in the Middle East poses both direct and indirect risks of global agrifood market disruptions, affecting food security in regions heavily reliant on imports. Rising energy and logistics costs are impacting the purchasing power of already vulnerable communities.
Declining Funding and Data Gaps
A significant concern raised in this year’s report is the sharp decline in humanitarian and development financing for food crises. Funding for food security and nutrition responses has fallen to levels not seen in nearly a decade, limiting the capacity of governments and humanitarian actors to respond effectively. Data collection has also suffered, with fewer countries able to produce reliable food security and nutrition estimates.
The apparent decline in the number of individuals facing high levels of acute food insecurity is largely attributed to reduced data availability rather than genuine improvement. The 2026 GRFC features the lowest number of countries meeting technical data requirements in a decade. In 2025, 18 countries lacked comparable data, including major crises such as Burkina Faso, the Republic of Congo, and Ethiopia, which accounted for over 27 million acutely food-insecure individuals in need of urgent assistance in 2024.
A Call to Action
The Global Network Against Food Crises emphasizes that food and nutrition crises are no longer temporary shocks but persistent and predictable issues concentrated in protracted contexts. Addressing these crises necessitates sustained, coordinated action to reduce humanitarian needs, build resilience, and tackle root causes. Governments, donors, and international financial institutions must increase investments in resilient agrifood systems, climate adaptation, rural livelihoods, and inclusive economic opportunities.
European Commissioner for Equality, Preparedness, and Crisis Management, Hadja Lahbib, stated that the Global Report on Food Crises exemplifies multilateral cooperation, providing a trusted analysis of global hunger trends. She noted the report serves as an early warning and a call to action.
UK Minister for Development, Jenny Chapman, remarked on the alarming rise in food insecurity, emphasizing the need for partnership to address the root causes of hunger. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu pointed out that acute food insecurity is not just widespread but also persistent, calling for a shift from reactive measures to proactive strategies that protect local food production.
The report highlights the interconnectedness of forced displacement and food insecurity, with High Commissioner for Refugees, UNHCR, Barham Salih, noting that humanitarian aid alone is insufficient. Solutions must enable refugees to rebuild their lives with dignity.
UNICEF Executive Director, Catherine Russell, underscored the urgency of addressing malnutrition among children, stressing that political will is essential to ensure access to basic nutrition and essential services.
World Bank Group Managing Director Paschal Donohoe emphasized the need for preparedness in the face of overlapping risks, while WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain called for a collective effort to end conflicts and secure the necessary resources to drive meaningful change.
The report concludes with a call for a strategic shift in addressing food crises, advocating for investments in local food systems and the alignment of humanitarian, development, and peace efforts.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-04-25 14:29:00 • By the Editorial Desk
