UN agency leading global hunger and nutrition efforts
Meteorological agencies and the UN have reported a very strong El Niño that has continued to intensify in August 2026. Forecasts show record-warm Pacific sea-surface temperatures, rising global heat and an elevated risk of droughts, floods and food insecurity that will push tens of millions more people into acute hunger this year and next.
Fighting around El Obeid, North Kordofan, has intensified, with civilians fleeing and humanitarian access tightening. International aid is strained as funding gaps persist, while the UN calls for protection of civilians and sustained aid delivery. Warnings grow over deteriorating health services and rising malnutrition.
Farmers across Africa and beyond are adapting to increasingly unpredictable weather. From drought- and heat-stressed crops in Europe to drought-tolerant varieties and soil-smart practices in Africa, researchers and farmers are deploying drought-tolerant seeds, smarter irrigation, and regenerative methods to protect harvests and local food supplies.
The world faces a record-breaking El Niño that is likely to bring extreme weather patterns. The UK government is advising households to prepare for supply disruptions, with Environment Secretary Angela Eagle highlighting the need for resilience as droughts, floods and cyber threats threaten food security.
The AfD has surged in Saxony-Anhalt, threatening to win an outright majority in the state election. CDU trails and coalition dynamics loom as parties weigh their options in the wake of a results shock that could reshape Germany’s political landscape.
El Niño is strengthening, with forecasts predicting historic intensity. Reports show drought in Central America’s Dry Corridor and a UK weather shift toward wetter, stormier conditions. Scientists warn impacts will extend into 2027 as temperatures rise globally and rainfall patterns shift.
Women farmers form a large share of Africa’s agricultural workforce, but face higher risks, less land, and limited access to finance and tools. El Niño-driven droughts highlight the need for inclusive, gender-aware climate resilience and investment in irrigation and resources.
Global wheat supplies are tightening as drought across the US and Europe reduces harvests. High prices for bread wheat persist, driven by record fuel costs, extreme weather, and disruptions from Black Sea tensions. Analysts warn prices could rise further if shipping routes remain limited.
Lindberg, the son-in-law of Senate Majority Leader John Thune, has been named undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs at the USDA and will head the World Food Program in Rome. The move comes as WFP faces funding shortfalls that limit its ability to reach millions in hunger crises.
The El Niño weather pattern has intensified, with multiple reports showing record sea-surface temperatures and forecasts of extreme heat. Scientists warn that global impacts will intensify through 2027, affecting temperatures, rainfall, and wildfire risk across regions from the Pacific to Africa and the Americas.
Namibia has confirmed Foot and Mouth Disease cases south of the Redline in Karas and ||Kharas. The outbreak prompts a nationwide movement suspension, with continued surveillance and targeted lifting of restrictions. Government says some protocols will resume under the Animal Health Act, while others remain restricted.
Benjamin Davis has been dismissed from the FAO after a 26-year tenure, amid controversy over his Gaza hunger brief and moments of silence protests. Qu Dongyu has warned staff about firing more for political activism, while Davis argues the dismissal undermines the UN’s human-rights mandate. The case now moves to the FAO’s internal justice process.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification warns that famine risk is increasing in parts of Sudan where conflict and El Niño drought are intensifying food insecurity. Acute malnutrition is rising in Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan, with aid access hampered by insecurity and funding shortfalls. By 8 October, less than half of the humanitarian appeal had been funded.
The UN has set up a taskforce to move fertilisers through the Strait of Hormuz. Moreira da Silva says activation could come within seven to 10 days if Washington and Tehran agree. Five vessels per day could keep fertiliser flowing to countries in need, while a broader deal on navigation remains pending.
Shortages of flour, staple foods, and rising prices in Gaza have intensified as crossings remain shut and humanitarian aid tightens. Residents report empty markets, higher prices, and dwindling incomes, with bakeries at risk of closure and WFP reducing aid to millions.
UN-backed mission has ceased operations in Somalia, transferring responsibilities to Somali institutions and UN agencies. The handover follows a two-year transition approved by Mogadishu, with ongoing security, governance, and humanitarian challenges. International support continues, even as funding tightens and Al-Shabab remains a threat.