The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warns that the global hunger crisis is deepening. The organization expects 318 million people to face crisis-level hunger or worse next year — more than double the number in 2019. However, the world's response remains "slow, fragmented, and underfunded."
Steep declines in global humanitarian funding are forcing WFP to prioritize providing food assistance to approximately one-third of those in urgent need. In 2026, the UN agency aims to reach just 110 million people at a cost of $13 billion, but it already anticipates receiving barely half that amount.
For 2025, the WFP had requested $16.9 billion in funding. As of Monday, the UN agency had received only $5.2 billion from donors for the current year. WFP expects its funding to drop by 40 percent by the end of the year, from $9.8 billion in 2024 to $6.4 billion in 2025.
In its 2026 Global Outlook report, published Tuesday, the UN agency paints a stark picture of global food insecurity: 41 million people are expected to face emergency levels of food insecurity (IPC 4 or worse) next year, among an estimated 318 million people facing acute food insecurity (IPC 3 or worse) across 68 countries.
IPC 5 represents the most severe category, characterized by catastrophic conditions and famines. This year, two famines have been confirmed in Gaza and parts of Sudan, marking the first time this century that famine has struck two countries simultaneously.
In the coming months, sixteen hunger hotspots, ranging from Haiti and Mali to Afghanistan and Yemen, will remain at high risk, with conflict remaining the leading cause of hunger and malnutrition. Meanwhile, climate shocks, such as droughts, floods, and storms, will further exacerbate the global hunger crisis.
In 2025, 69 percent of acutely food-insecure people — 219 million — lived in fragile or conflict-affected countries. Armed violence is expected to worsen food insecurity in 14 of the 16 hotspots, including the six of highest concern: Haiti, Mali, Gaza (Occupied Palestinian Territory), South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.
Six more countries — Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria — are classified as hunger hotspots of very high concern. The other four identified hotspots are in Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and among Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.
On Monday, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reminded the UN Security Council that armed conflict is driving the world's most severe hunger crises, and that famine conditions will worsen in several regions without decisive political action.
OCHA urged the Security Council members, as well as all UN member states, to leverage their influence to address hunger in conflict zones.
According to Tuesday's WFP report, global aid now covers less than half of total needs, with steep reductions in food assistance also seen. Almost all WFP operations have had to slash food and cash assistance and prioritize which vulnerable groups receive help, leaving others in urgent need without assistance.
"The world is grappling with simultaneous famines in Gaza and parts of Sudan. This is completely unacceptable in the twenty-first century," said Cindy McCain, WFP Executive Director, in a statement on Tuesday.
WFP is urging the international community to support proven solutions to stop the spread of hunger and get back on track towards a world with zero hunger in 2026.
"Across the globe, hunger is becoming more entrenched. WFP has proven time and again that early, effective, and innovative solutions can save and change lives, but we desperately need more support to continue this vital work," said McCain.
In 2025, WFP's famine prevention efforts saved several communities from starvation. However, the global food crisis shows no signs of abating in 2026, as conflict, extreme weather events, and economic instability are expected to cause another year of severe food insecurity.
The UN agency stresses that it has the teams and in-the-field expertise to ensure that every dollar donated has the greatest possible impact through effective, efficient programs.
In 2026, WFP plans to deliver emergency food and nutrition assistance, as well as support and training to help communities become more resilient to food shocks. The organization will also provide technical support to empower national systems.
“WFP provides a critical lifeline to people on the front lines of conflicts and weather disasters, as well as those forced to leave their homes, and we are transforming how we work to invest in long-term solutions to address food insecurity,” McCain added.
“Ending entrenched hunger demands much more sustained support and real global commitment and collaboration.”
The World Food Programme (WFP) is the world's largest humanitarian organization. The United Nations agency, which was awarded the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, saves lives in emergency situations and provides food assistance to people affected by conflict, disasters, and climate change.
Headquartered in Rome, the UN agency is active in over 120 countries and territories, providing emergency food assistance to communities affected by malnutrition and hunger with the ultimate goal of achieving a world with zero hunger. For millions of people worldwide, WFP's assistance can mean the difference between life and death.
Further information
Full text: WFP 2026 Global Outlook. Hunger and hope: Innovative solutions to address food insecurity, World Food Programme (WFP), report, released November 18, 2025
https://docs.wfp.org/api/documents/WFP-0000170274/download