UN Warns of Escalating Hunger Crisis in Nigeria and 12 Other Nations
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that severe hunger conditions are set to worsen across Nigeria and twelve additional nations in the coming months, driven by escalating food security emergencies linked to warfare and population displacement.
A new Hunger Hotspots analysis, published on Monday by the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) alongside the World Food Programme (WFP), highlights nations experiencing the most critical food insecurity situations across designated hunger zones.
The assessment cautions that escalating armed conflicts, financial disruptions, and environmental disasters are pushing millions toward famine conditions. These catastrophic situations are being exacerbated by increasing barriers to aid delivery and severe funding gaps.
The analysis designates Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali as areas requiring immediate priority attention, warning that populations in these five nations are currently experiencing critical hunger levels and face potential famine and mortality without urgent humanitarian intervention and coordinated international efforts to reduce conflict-driven displacement.
Nigeria, Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Myanmar are categorised as hunger zones requiring critical priority status, demanding immediate action to preserve lives and sustain communities.
“This report makes it very clear: hunger today is not a distant threat – it is a daily emergency for millions,” said QU Dongyu, FAO’s Director-General.
“We must act now, and act together, to save lives and safeguard livelihoods. Protecting people’s farms and animals to ensure they can continue producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent – it is essential,” he added.
Deteriorating security conditions, particularly in key agricultural regions, and catastrophic flood events in major food-producing areas have forced mass population movements.
“This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk,” said Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme.
“We have the tools and experience to respond, but without funding and access, we cannot save lives. Urgent, sustained investment in food assistance and recovery support is crucial, as the window to avert even more devastating hunger is closing fast.”
