While the food security situation is deteriorating in almost all countries day by day, in some of the most vulnerable regions, one can see that the situation has worsened. Millions of people in these nations are at risk of worsening hunger, particularly between June and November of this year. A joint report that was done by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) has identified that in total there are 13 countries and territories that classify as hunger spots that require immediate action to prevent any further deterioration.
Countries such as Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen, and Palestine are a few among the areas that are facing the most severe food insecurity. The Commonwealth nation of Northeast Nigeria is facing severe food insecurity. Somalia has also been identified as one of the areas of highest concern due to the increasing number of people experiencing extreme food shortages. The agencies have sent out warnings that conflict, displacement, difficulties in the economy, climate shocks, and limited humanitarian assistance are a combination of issues that threaten food supplies.
Sudan remains one of the world’s most serious food crises. Approximately 19.5 million people, or about 41% of the country’s population, were facing crisis-level food insecurity or worse through May 2026. The situation is expected to deteriorate further, with the number of people projected to experience catastrophic hunger increasing during the middle of the year. The continuing conflict has displaced millions and disrupted farming, markets, and humanitarian access.
A severe food-security emergency is also affecting South Sudan, which is also experiencing a severe food-security emergency, affecting approximately 7.8 million people, or about 55% of the population. In South Sudan, approximately 7.8 million people, or about 55% of the population, are affected by this crisis. by this crisis. These citizens are projected to experience a hunger that is at a crisis level or even worse. Four counties have also been identified as being at risk of famine during the first half of 2026.
More than half of the population in Yemen is expected to experience crisis-level food insecurity or worse during 2026. Years of ongoing conflict and economic hardship have resulted in weakened livelihoods, with millions left depending heavily on humanitarian assistance. At the same time, in northeast Nigeria, Borno State is facing grave risks, with around 15,000 people projected to reach catastrophic levels of food insecurity between the months of June and August in 2026.
Similarly, Somalia is also facing challenges as follows: years of drought and poor production in agriculture. In the same way, around 6 million people were expected to go through these high levels of intense and acute food insecurity between April and June as a new famine risk was identified in Burhakaba District.
The wider global situation is also concerning. The Global Report on Food Crises, which was done in 2026, confirmed that two famines had occurred during the year of 2025, in parts of Gaza and Sudan, which marks the first time in the report’s decade-long history that two famines were confirmed in the same exact year. The report said the risk of famine will continue to go on in Gaza, Sudan, and South Sudan in 2026 as well.
Humanitarian organizations are increasingly concerned that funding shortages could make these crises harder to contain. With needs growing and resources limited, aid agencies are urging governments and donors to act before food insecurity reaches catastrophic levels.
The FAO and WFP highlight that early intervention is highly important. Providing food, agricultural support, cash assistance, and livelihood protection before conditions become irreversible could help prevent hunger from developing into a state of famine. The latest warnings, as one can see, highlight not only the scale of the current crisis but also the narrowing window for international action.
