WFP faces global aid disruptions as conflicts in Iran, Sudan, Gaza, and Yemen worsen hunger and block food supplies worldwide.
The Houthis in Yemen approved flights for aid access in February after a month-long blockade, but recent actions include seizing UN offices and equipment, worsening the humanitarian crisis. The UN warns of increased suffering amid ongoing conflict and restrictions.
Fighting in South Sudan's Jonglei State has intensified, causing widespread displacement, attacks on healthcare facilities, and disrupting aid. The UN reports over 370,000 displaced this year, with escalating violence threatening to undermine peace efforts and worsen humanitarian conditions.
Recent attacks by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in Sudan have resulted in civilian casualties, including children, and increased displacement. The conflict, ongoing since April 2023, has caused thousands of deaths, widespread famine, and a severe humanitarian crisis across regions like North Kordofan and Darfur.
The UK has reduced its aid to the World Food Programme from $610m in 2024 to $435m last year, despite promises to fight hunger. Critics say the cuts risk lives, with rising starvation worldwide and the UK’s aid spending falling behind international commitments. The government defends the decision as part of budget reallocation.
The UN's World Food Program reduces monthly aid for Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh, with some receiving as little as $7. The change, driven by funding shortages, raises fears of hunger and unrest among the vulnerable population, many of whom fled Myanmar's military violence in 2017.
Multiple drone and artillery attacks in Sudan's Kordofan region have targeted aid convoys, medical facilities, and civilian areas. The Rapid Support Forces deny involvement, blaming disinformation. The attacks have caused civilian casualties, destroyed aid supplies, and prompted international condemnation amid ongoing conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and RSF.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights reports that RSF forces committed war crimes in el-Fasher, Sudan, including mass killings, sexual violence, and starvation tactics during an 18-month siege. Survivors describe horrific violence, with calls for accountability amid ongoing conflict and drone strikes.
In February 2026, Tropical Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar’s eastern port city Toamasina with winds up to 270 km/h, killing at least 38 people, injuring hundreds, and displacing thousands. The cyclone destroyed 75% of Toamasina’s infrastructure, leaving widespread flooding and power outages. Madagascar’s military leader declared a national disaster and called for international aid amid ongoing recovery efforts.
Multiple drone strikes in Sudan have killed at least 28 civilians, including women and children, amid ongoing conflict between the army and RSF. Attacks targeted markets, hospitals, and religious sites, raising concerns over violations of international humanitarian law. The violence continues to escalate, deepening the humanitarian crisis.
Cyclone Gezani struck Madagascar and Mozambique in February 2026, displacing over 16,000 people, damaging thousands of homes and schools, and causing injuries and fatalities. The storm follows recent disasters, stretching regional response efforts amid ongoing climate-related challenges.
Gaza marks Ramadan during ongoing conflict, with over 72,000 Palestinians killed, widespread destruction, and displacement. Despite efforts to bring some festive spirit, residents face severe hardship, cold, and loss, with many mourning loved ones and enduring displacement amid continued violence.
Somalia's food insecurity has worsened due to ongoing drought, conflict, and funding cuts. Over 6.5 million people are in crisis or worse, with 1.84 million children at risk of malnutrition. Humanitarian aid has been reduced, and displacement continues as the drought persists into 2026.
World Food Program Executive Director, Helen McCain, steps down after a mild stroke and health concerns. She returned to work in January but found the demands outpaced her recovery, leading to her decision to leave in three months. She has led WFP since April 2023, focusing on global hunger crises.
Gaza faces worsening shortages as border crossings remain limited amid ongoing conflict. Israeli and Egyptian restrictions have reduced aid and supplies, causing prices to spike and essential services to falter. The UN warns that without sustained access, Gaza’s fragile food security and healthcare will deteriorate further.
As of March 10, 2026, Gaza faces a worsening humanitarian crisis with Israel stalling the Gaza ceasefire's second phase amid the Israel-Iran conflict. Border crossings remain largely closed, severely restricting aid and medical evacuations. Food prices have surged, medical supplies are critically low, and thousands of patients await urgent care abroad. The fragile ceasefire is undermined by ongoing Israeli attacks and political deadlock.
As of April 2026, Iran's blockade of the Strait of Hormuz has severely disrupted global fertilizer shipments, causing nitrogen fertilizer prices to nearly double. This has hit US and global farmers during critical spring planting, raising production costs and threatening crop yields for staples like corn, wheat, and rice. The shortage risks global food security and will likely push consumer food prices higher worldwide.
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, now in its third week, has disrupted shipping routes and increased costs, pushing millions into hunger. The UN warns that if the war continues through June, an additional 45 million people could face acute food insecurity, raising global hunger to record levels.
On March 20, 2026, a drone strike hit Al Deain Teaching Hospital in East Darfur, Sudan, killing 70 people including 13 children, two nurses, and a doctor. The attack injured 146 others and severely damaged the hospital, rendering it non-functional. This marks the 213th attack on healthcare facilities since Sudan's civil war began in April 2023, with over 2,000 fatalities reported.
Displacement, drought, and global aid cuts have worsened Somalia's crisis, with rising malnutrition and aid disruptions. UNICEF warns supply delays and funding shortages threaten children’s survival, while aid agencies struggle to meet escalating needs in the region.
Since early March 2026, Israel has launched intensified airstrikes and ground operations in southern Lebanon targeting Hezbollah, killing over 2,000 people and displacing more than one million. Israeli forces are encircling and assaulting the strategic town of Bint Jbeil. Hezbollah continues rocket attacks into northern Israel. Lebanon and Israel have held preliminary talks in Washington to seek a ceasefire.
The conflict in the Middle East has effectively blocked the Strait of Hormuz, disrupting aid supply chains to Africa and increasing costs for humanitarian operations. Aid groups face delays, higher expenses, and potential shortages of medicines and food, with impacts expected to last for months.
Since early 2026, over 2,800 Rohingya refugees have risked dangerous sea crossings from Bangladesh and Myanmar to Malaysia and Indonesia. A fishing trawler carrying about 250 people capsized in the Andaman Sea in April, with nine survivors rescued and hundreds feared dead. Reduced humanitarian aid and ongoing conflict are worsening conditions in refugee camps, pushing more to attempt perilous journeys.
Haiti's economic and humanitarian crisis is worsening as fuel prices rise due to Iran conflict, gang violence disrupts supply chains, and protests escalate. Workers demand better wages amid soaring transportation and food costs, with ongoing violence deepening poverty and hunger across the country. Today’s protests reflect urgent economic distress.
Sudan has entered its fourth year of war between the military and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), causing the displacement of 13 million people and widespread famine. The conflict has killed at least 59,000 people and pushed parts of the country into famine, with 34 million needing aid. International ceasefire efforts have failed, and regional powers are fueling the conflict.
Somalia, Malawi, and Haiti are experiencing worsening humanitarian crises driven by drought, flooding, and violence. Somalia faces a hunger crisis with displaced families, Malawi endures floods destroying crops, and Haiti confronts rising food insecurity amid gang violence. Funding shortages and ongoing disruptions threaten further deterioration.
The 2026 Global Report on Food Crises finds that 266 million people across 47 countries face high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025, nearly double the share in 2016. Conflict, climate, and economic instability drive the crisis, with famine confirmed in Gaza and Sudan. Funding declines threaten aid efforts.