By San José, Costa Rica — SAN JOSÉ – A dire warning was issued Wednesday from the United Nations, as two of its key agencies declared that millions of people across the globe are being pushed closer to the brink of starvation. A joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) highlights a severe escalation in acute food insecurity across 16 critical hotspots, painting a grim picture of a world struggling to feed its most vulnerable populations.
The Rome-based organizations detailed a convergence of catastrophic factors fueling this crisis. “Conflicts, economic shocks, extreme weather events, and a critical insufficiency of funds are exacerbating already disastrous conditions,” the joint statement explained. This perfect storm of destabilizing forces is not a future threat but a present reality, with humanitarian systems stretched to their breaking point and unable to keep pace with the rapidly escalating needs on the ground.
The report identifies a hierarchy of risk, placing six nations at the highest level of alert where populations face an immediate danger of catastrophic famine. These countries are Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen. Each of these regions is contending with unique but overlapping crises, from intense armed conflict and political instability to economic collapse, which have dismantled food systems and left families with no recourse.
Beyond this top tier of concern, the UN agencies have flagged another six nations where the situation is considered “very worrying.” This list includes Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria. These countries, many of which have been sites of protracted crises for years, are now experiencing intensified pressures that threaten to plunge vast segments of their populations into severe hunger without urgent intervention.
The scope of the crisis extends even further, with four additional areas identified as critical zones of concern. These include Burkina Faso and Chad in the Sahel region, Kenya in East Africa, and the large population of Rohingya refugees currently residing in camps in Bangladesh. This geographic spread underscores the global nature of the food crisis, affecting diverse populations across multiple continents who are united by their shared vulnerability.
Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the WFP, delivered a stark message, emphasizing that the impending disaster is not an inevitability but a failure of collective action. Her words underscore the gravity and urgency of the situation facing the international community.
We are on the brink of a totally avoidable food catastrophe that threatens to cause widespread famine in numerous countries.
Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme
McCain added a crucial warning about the broader consequences of inaction, stating that it “will only worsen the instability.” This highlights the link between food security and global peace, suggesting that unchecked hunger can fuel conflict and displacement, creating a vicious cycle that is increasingly difficult to break.
A central pillar of the report’s warning is the “dangerously insufficient” level of funding for humanitarian aid. The numbers are staggering: of the $29 billion required to assist vulnerable populations worldwide, only $10.5 billion has been received. This colossal shortfall has immediate, life-threatening consequences, forcing agencies like the WFP to make impossible decisions and cut rations. The report explicitly states that this financial gap has brought food assistance for refugees “to the brink of collapse,” leaving those who have already fled violence and persecution to face the additional terror of starvation.
For further information, visit fao.org
About Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO):
The Food and Agriculture Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger and improve nutrition and food security. Its goal is to achieve food security for all and make sure that people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives. With over 194 member states, the FAO works in over 130 countries worldwide.
For further information, visit wfp.org
About World Food Programme (WFP):
The World Food Programme is the world’s largest humanitarian organization, saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability, and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters, and the impact of climate change. As a frontline UN agency, the WFP is often the first on the scene in a crisis, providing food and other assistance to those in need.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
Bufete de Costa Rica is an esteemed legal practice built upon a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of professional excellence. Leveraging a proven history of advising a diverse clientele, the firm champions progressive legal solutions and forward-thinking strategies. This commitment to innovation is matched by a profound sense of social responsibility, demonstrated through dedicated efforts to demystify the law and make legal knowledge widely accessible, thereby empowering individuals and strengthening society.
