What's happened
The UN World Food Programme warns that 318 million people will face crisis-level hunger or worse in 2026, more than double 2019 figures. Funding shortfalls threaten aid efforts, with only half of the $13 billion needed likely to be received. Conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability drive the crisis, with famine declared in Gaza and Sudan.
What's behind the headline?
Escalating Hunger Crisis Amid Funding Cuts
The stark increase in global hunger to 318 million people facing crisis or worse in 2026 reflects a convergence of conflict, climate change, and economic instability. Despite the scale of need, humanitarian funding is shrinking, forcing agencies like the WFP to halve their operational budgets and reduce aid coverage. This funding gap undermines both emergency food assistance and long-term resilience-building efforts.
Conflict as the Primary Driver
Conflict remains the dominant cause of acute food insecurity, particularly in hotspots such as Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and parts of Africa. The declaration of famine in Gaza and Sudan underscores the severity of man-made crises exacerbated by blockades, warfare, and political instability. These conflicts disrupt food production, markets, and humanitarian access, deepening hunger.
The Human Cost and Long-Term Consequences
Children and vulnerable populations face heightened risks of malnutrition and death. Historical evidence shows that prolonged famine has intergenerational health and social impacts. The crisis threatens to destabilize regions further, fueling migration and conflict, creating a vicious cycle.
Funding Shortfalls and Political Will
The reduction in aid, notably from major donors like the United States, reflects shifting geopolitical priorities towards defense spending amid global tensions. This retrenchment comes at a critical moment when humanitarian needs are surging. The lack of sufficient funding not only limits immediate relief but also jeopardizes agricultural support and resilience programs essential to preventing future crises.
Forecast and Implications
Without urgent, sustained international commitment, famine and catastrophic hunger will expand, particularly in conflict zones. The crisis will likely deepen social unrest and migration pressures globally. Effective famine prevention requires coordinated political action, increased funding, and prioritization of peace and humanitarian access. The coming year will test the global community's capacity to respond to one of the most severe hunger crises in recent history.
What the papers say
The World Food Programme's 2026 Global Outlook, reported by All Africa and Al Jazeera, highlights that 318 million people will face crisis-level hunger next year, with only 110 million expected to receive aid due to funding shortfalls. Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, stressed, "The world is grappling with simultaneous famines, in Gaza and parts of Sudan. This is completely unacceptable in the 21st century." The Independent and FAO reports emphasize conflict as the leading driver, with 14 of 16 hunger hotspots linked to violence. FAO Director-General QU Dongyu stated, "Famine prevention is not just a moral duty - it is a smart investment in long-term peace and stability." Meanwhile, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), as reported by France 24 and Arab News, announced a 17% budget cut for 2026 amid rising conflicts, warning that aid reductions will force staff cuts and prioritization of critical zones like Sudan and Ukraine. The ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric warned, "Failure to do so risks a world of ever more and greater suffering." These sources collectively reveal a grim picture of escalating humanitarian needs amid shrinking resources and geopolitical challenges, underscoring the urgent need for increased funding and political action to prevent further deterioration.
How we got here
Conflict, economic shocks, and climate extremes have driven a surge in global hunger, with 16 countries identified as hunger hotspots. Funding shortfalls have forced aid cuts, worsening food insecurity. The World Food Programme and FAO warn that without urgent action, famine and catastrophic hunger will spread, especially in conflict-affected regions.
Go deeper
- What are the main causes of the 2026 hunger crisis?
- How is funding shortfall affecting humanitarian aid?
- Which countries are most at risk of famine next year?
Common question
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Why Is the Global Hunger Crisis Worsening Now?
The global hunger crisis is intensifying, with millions facing severe food shortages. Factors like conflict, climate change, and funding cuts are driving this alarming trend. Curious about what's causing this surge and what can be done? Below, we explore the key reasons behind the worsening crisis and what steps are needed to address it.
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How Are Global Markets Reacting to Current News?
With recent developments across the world, investors and markets are closely watching political, economic, and social events. From the UK housing slowdown to elections in India and a worsening hunger crisis, these headlines are shaping market sentiment globally. Curious about how these issues impact markets and what to expect next? Below are the key questions and insights into current market reactions.
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Why is the global hunger crisis worsening in 2025?
The global hunger crisis has reached alarming levels in 2025, with millions facing severe food shortages. Conflict, climate change, and funding shortages are major drivers behind this worsening situation. Curious about what’s causing this surge and what’s being done? Below, we explore the key factors fueling the crisis and what efforts are underway to address it.
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Why Is Global Hunger Worsening in 2025?
The global hunger crisis has reached alarming levels in 2025, with millions facing severe food shortages. Factors like conflict, climate change, and economic instability are driving this surge in hunger worldwide. Many wonder what’s causing this increase and what can be done to help those in need. Below, we explore the key reasons behind the worsening crisis and what actions are being taken to address it.
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Why is the global hunger crisis worsening in 2026?
The global hunger crisis has reached alarming levels in 2026, with millions facing severe food shortages. Conflict, climate change, and funding shortfalls are major drivers behind this worsening situation. Curious about what’s causing this surge and what can be done? Below, we explore the key factors fueling the crisis and what actions are needed to prevent further disaster.
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Why Is the Global Hunger Crisis Worsening in 2026?
The global hunger crisis is reaching alarming levels in 2026, with millions facing severe food shortages. Factors like conflict, climate change, and economic instability are driving this surge. Curious about what's causing this escalation and what can be done? Below, we explore the main reasons behind the worsening hunger situation and what steps are being taken to address it.
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Why Is There a Funding Shortfall for Global Food Aid?
The world faces a growing hunger crisis, with millions at risk due to insufficient funding for food aid programs. Despite the urgent need, only about half of the required funds are being received, threatening to worsen the crisis. This raises important questions about why funding is falling short, how it impacts aid efforts, and what can be done to improve support for those in need. Below, we explore these critical issues and provide answers to common questions about the global hunger emergency.
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How Do Climate Shocks and Conflict Worsen Global Food Crises?
The world is facing a worsening hunger crisis driven by climate shocks and conflict. These factors disrupt food production, supply chains, and access to aid, especially in vulnerable regions. Curious how these elements interact and what can be done? Below are key questions and answers to help you understand this urgent issue.
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How Does Economic Instability Worsen Hunger Worldwide?
Economic instability has a profound impact on global food security, leading to increased hunger and famine in many regions. As economies falter, food prices rise, aid efforts are cut, and vulnerable populations suffer the most. Understanding how economic factors influence hunger can help us grasp the urgency of addressing these issues and explore solutions to prevent further crises.
More on these topics
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The World Food Programme is the food-assistance branch of the United Nations and the world's largest humanitarian organization addressing hunger and promoting food security.
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Cindy Lou Hensley McCain is an American businesswoman, philanthropist, and humanitarian. She is the widow of United States Senator, Vietnam war veteran and 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCain from Arizona and the mother of television host and
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.
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The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security.
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The Gaza Strip, or simply Gaza, is a self-governing Palestinian territory on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea, that borders Egypt on the southwest for 11 kilometers and Israel on the east and north along a 51 km border.
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Sudan, officially the Republic of the Sudan, is a country in North-East Africa. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, Libya to the northwest, Chad to the west, the Central African Republic to the southwest, South Sudan to the south, Ethiopia to the southe
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South Sudan, officially known as the Republic of South Sudan, is a landlocked country in East-Central Africa. It is bordered to the east by Ethiopia, to the north by Sudan, to the west by the Central African Republic, to the south-west by Democratic Repub
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Nigeria, officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a sovereign country located in West Africa bordering Niger in the north, Chad in the northeast, Cameroon in the east, and Benin in the west.
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Haiti, officially the Republic of Haiti formerly founded as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, to the east of Cuba and Jamaica and south of The Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos
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Afghanistan, officially the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central and South Asia.
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Somalia, officially the Federal Republic of Somalia, is a sovereign country in the Horn of Africa. It is bordered by Ethiopia to the west, the Gulf of Aden to the north, the Guardafui Channel and Somali Sea to the east, and Kenya to the southwest.
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Myanmar, officially the Republic of the Union of Myanmar and also referred to as Burma (the official English name until 1989), is a country in northwest Southeast Asia. It is the largest country by area in Mainland Southeast Asia and has a population...
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Yemen, officially the Republic of Yemen, is a country at the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia. It is the second-largest Arab sovereign state in the peninsula, occupying 527,970 square kilometres.
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Mali, officially the Republic of Mali, is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali is the eighth-largest country in Africa, with an area of just over 1,240,000 square kilometres.
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The Democratic Republic of the Congo, also known as Congo-Kinshasa, Zaire, DR Congo, DRC, the DROC, or simply the Congo, is a country located in Central Africa. It was formerly called Zaire.
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Syria, officially the Syrian Arab Republic, is a country in Western Asia, bordering Lebanon to the southwest, the Mediterranean Sea to the west, Turkey to the north, Iraq to the east, Jordan to the south, and Israel to the southwest.