UN agency leading global action to defeat hunger and improve nutrition
A European study has quantified how inequality increases temperature-related deaths. If Europe’s regions reached the lowest level of material deprivation, heat and cold-related mortality could fall by up to 30%, a major policy argument for targeted relief and poverty reduction.
The IPC analysis shows 1.24 million Lebanese face food insecurity at crisis levels due to renewed conflict, displacement, and soaring prices. The war between Israel and Hezbollah has displaced over 1.2 million, damaged farmland, and pushed farming costs higher, threatening agricultural livelihoods and livelihoods alike.
Global fertiliser trade remains under pressure as the Strait of Hormuz disruption continues to affect urea, ammonia and sulphur shipments. With several regions facing rising costs and tighter supplies, farmers face higher input prices and potential yield impacts in the coming seasons.
The UN and aid groups warn that more than 21 million people in Sudan face acute hunger after 1,000 days of conflict, with funding shortfalls risking the suspension of food and nutrition programmes and possibly famine in parts of the country.
The Central African Republic has seen some signs of improvement as displacement slows and aid-funded activities resume. Yet funding for 2025 and 2026 remains critically short, raising the risk that gains will unravel. The UN and partners warn that continued shortfalls threaten life-saving relief for millions, with IDPs and refugees relying on fragile programmes to survive.
Negotiations between the United States and Iran have been reported to be moving toward a deal that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, include a 60-day truce, some sanctions relief and renewed nuclear talks. The disruption of Hormuz has already reduced oil and fertiliser flows, pushed up energy and food prices and is threatening severe economic pain for vulnerable developing countries.
The UN World Food Programme has intensified emergency food and nutrition aid as hunger risks rise amid conflict, climate shocks, and funding shortfalls across multiple regions, including Sudan and South Sudan. Delivery faces security and transport hurdles with the rainy season approaching.
Fertiliser prices have surged globally amid the Iran conflict, prompting Senegalese farmers to shift from chemical fertilisers to organic compost and manure. Governments are weighing temporary measures to curb costs while experts warn on food security and climate benefits of sustainable alternatives.
El Niño has formed in the Pacific and is expected to strengthen through late 2026, with a 63% chance of reaching a very strong level. Forecasts warn of hotter global temperatures and extreme weather, while impacts will vary by region. Scientists urge preparation and climate action as nations monitor evolving conditions.
A FAO-WFP joint report warns that acute food insecurity could worsen from June to November 2026, with about 266 million people affected. Conflicts and violence remain the main drivers across hotspots, while funding cuts and El Niño risks compound the crisis. Gaza’s situation remains fragile but improved since late 2025.
The latest SOFI report shows 645 million people faced hunger in 2025, a drop from 2024 but still above prepandemic levels. Africa now hosts the most hungry people in absolute terms, with 309 million, while Africa and other regions face rising food insecurity driven by conflict, climate extremes and higher costs. Nutrition indicators remain poor, with stunting, obesity and low diet diversity continuing to challenge progress.
Africa records its first continent-wide drop in hunger in a decade, with 2025 hunger down to 20% and 8.6 million fewer people in severe insecurity, yet two in three Africans cannot afford a healthy diet. Experts warn that sustainable progress relies on making nutritious foods affordable amid budget constraints and weaker aid.