Port-au-Prince — Haiti has been named among five global hot spots at immediate risk of famine, according to a joint report released Monday by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Program (WFP).
The report, titled Hunger Hotspots, identifies 13 countries where hunger is escalating rapidly due to conflict, economic instability, and climate-related disasters. Alongside Haiti, the report lists Gaza, Sudan, South Sudan, and Mali as facing the most critical levels of food insecurity over the next five months.
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WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain issued a stark warning: “This report is a red alert. We know where hunger is rising and we know who is at risk. Without funding and access, we cannot save lives.”
In Haiti, escalating gang violence has forced thousands to flee their homes, disrupting food supply chains and aid distribution. An estimated 8,400 people are already experiencing catastrophic levels of hunger. The report warns that without immediate intervention, the situation could spiral into famine — a condition defined by extreme food scarcity, acute child malnutrition, and death from starvation or disease.
Sudan’s ongoing conflict has left nearly 25 million people food insecure, while South Sudan faces both flooding and political turmoil, placing over 63,000 people in famine-like conditions. In Gaza, more than 2 million people are enduring acute food shortages under an ongoing blockade and military campaign.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the importance of investing in local food systems: “Protecting people’s farms and animals to ensure they can keep producing food where they are, even in the toughest and harshest conditions, is not just urgent – it is essential.”
While the report paints a grim picture for several regions, it also notes some improvement. Countries like Ethiopia, Kenya, and Lebanon have been removed from the hunger watchlist thanks to stabilization efforts and better food security outcomes.
