Global Food Crisis Deepens: Hunger and Malnutrition at Critical Levels

The Global Report on Food Crises 2026, released by the Global Network Against Food Crises along with agencies like the World Food Programme and UNICEF, highlights that acute food insecurity and malnutrition remain alarmingly high globally. The report indicates that hunger has nearly doubled since 2016, reflecting deepening global crises driven by conflict, climate shocks, and economic instability.

Concentration of Food Insecurity (Countries in Focus)

ØThe report reveals that food insecurity is highly concentrated, with 10 countries accounting for nearly two-thirds of people facing acute hunger:

ØAfghanistan

ØBangladesh

ØDemocratic Republic of the Congo

ØMyanmar

ØNigeria

ØPakistan

ØSouth Sudan

ØSudan

ØSyrian Arab Republic

ØYemen

ØAmong these, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen recorded the largest food crises, both in terms of proportion and absolute numbers of affected populations.

Famine and Extreme Hunger (IPC Phase 5)

At the most severe level, famine was identified in:

ØGaza Governorate

ØParts of Sudan

ØThis assessment was made using the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification framework. Notably, 2025 marked the first time since GRFC reporting began that famine was confirmed in two separate regions in the same year, indicating a sharp escalation in extreme hunger driven by conflict and restricted humanitarian access.

Scale and Severity of Hunger

ØIn 2025, approximately 266 million people across 47 countries/territories faced high levels of acute food insecurity, representing about 23% of the analysed population. This is:

ØSlightly higher than 2024 levels

ØNearly double the share recorded in 2016

ØThe number of people facing catastrophic hunger (IPC Phase 5) is now nine times higher than in 2016, making it one of the most severe global hunger situations in recent decades.

Malnutrition Crisis

ØAcute malnutrition continues to rise, especially among children:

Ø35.5 million children suffered from acute malnutrition in 2025

ØNearly 10 million faced severe acute malnutrition

Severe conditions were observed in:

ØGaza Strip

ØMyanmar

ØSouth Sudan

ØSudan

ØThese crises are aggravated by poor diets, disease burden, and breakdown of essential health services, increasing mortality risks.

Role of Forced Displacement

Forced displacement is a major contributing factor:

ØOver 85 million people were forcibly displaced in food-crisis regions in 2025

ØIncludes:

ØInternally Displaced Persons (IDPs)

ØRefugees

ØAsylum seekers

ØDisplaced populations consistently face higher levels of hunger than host communities, due to loss of livelihoods and limited access to aid.

Major Drivers of Food Insecurity

The report identifies key drivers:

ØConflict and violence (primary cause in Sudan, Yemen, Syria)

ØClimate change impacts (droughts, floods)

ØEconomic shocks and inflation

ØRestricted humanitarian access

ØForced displacement and migration

Additional Key Facts:

ØGRFC uses the IPC classification:

ØPhase 1: Minimal

ØPhase 2: Stressed

ØPhase 3: Crisis

ØPhase 4: Emergency

ØPhase 5: Famine

ØLinked to United Nations goal:

ØSDG 2 – Zero Hunger

ØGlobal hunger hotspots are concentrated in:

ØSub-Saharan Africa

ØMiddle East conflict zones