Geneva: The World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning regarding the current global hunger crisis, highlighting that 318 million people are now living in acute food insecurity. This figure represents a dramatic increase, doubling the number recorded before the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019.
According to Kuwait News Agency, during a virtual press briefing from Rome, Jean-Martin Bauer, the Director of WFP's Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service, expressed grave concerns about the unprecedented levels of hunger. He noted that the world is witnessing two simultaneous famines, one in Gaza and another in parts of Sudan, amid dwindling international humanitarian funding.
Bauer highlighted the rising number of individuals slipping into IPC Phase 5 Famine, particularly in regions such as Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Yemen, Mali, and Haiti. He also pointed out the deteriorating conditions in Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria.
The WFP's 2026 Global Outlook projects that around 14 million people might transition from IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) to IPC Phase 4 (Emergency), marking a nearly 30% increase compared to the current 40 million already in Phase 4. Severe funding cuts are significantly impacting WFP's operations, resulting in reduced food rations, fewer beneficiaries, and decreased cash assistance in most countries.
To address this crisis, the WFP is appealing for 13 billion dollars in 2026 to deliver crucial assistance to 110 million people. Despite this appeal, Bauer acknowledged that the agency could only reach a third of those in need due to the funding shortfall. He emphasized that food assistance is more than mere emergency relief; it is a source of stability, dignity, and hope, underscoring the urgent need for a renewed commitment to combating global hunger.