Last year, two-thirds of the world’s population experiencing food crises were concentrated in just ten countries, with Sudan, Nigeria, and the Democratic Republic of Congo accounting for one-third of those affected, a recent UN-supported report. Conflict remains the primary cause of severe food insecurity, as highlighted in the Global Report on Food Crises, which draws on data from the United Nations, the European Union, and humanitarian organizations.
Looking ahead, the report warns that ongoing conflicts and extreme climate events are expected to maintain or worsen food insecurity in many regions, painting a grim outlook for 2026. The ten countries most affected by acute food insecurity include Afghanistan, Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Pakistan, South Sudan, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen.
While some nations such as Bangladesh and Syria showed improvements, these gains were nearly offset by significant deteriorations in Afghanistan, the DRC, Myanmar, and Zimbabwe. Notably, this edition of the report—the tenth—confirmed famine conditions in two distinct areas within the same year: Gaza and parts of Sudan.
In total, approximately 266 million people across 47 countries or territories endured high levels of acute food insecurity in 2023, nearly doubling the figures recorded in 2016. The report also highlights a sharp decline in international aid, raising concerns about the capacity to address these crises effectively.
Meanwhile, the ongoing conflict in the Middle East threatens to exacerbate existing food crises by increasing displacement in a region already hosting millions of refugees and driving up fertilizer costs. The blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a vital oil transit route, has caused fertilizer prices to surge due to their reliance on oil-based inputs.
Alvaro Lario, head of the UN’s International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), emphasized the timing of this crisis, noting that the current spike in energy and fertilizer prices coincides with the planting season, which could severely impact agricultural production. He advocated for increased support to small-scale farmers, including investments in water- and climate-resilient crops.
Lario also suggested that local fertilizer production and improved soil health could reduce dependency on costly imports. IFAD is actively promoting greater investment from local private sectors, aiming to create incentives and financial mechanisms that enhance sustainability and extend the impact of development funding.
