A mid-year update of the Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) shows the reality of 1.2 million people worldwide who are experiencing catastrophic, conflict-driven hunger
Gaza is at the top of the list, where the entire population is struggling with extreme levels of food insecurity.
Gaza and Sudan are among the worst hit
The situation is the worst in Gaza, where famine conditions have been confirmed since July 2025. With over half a million people on the brink of starvation, the region faces widespread deprivation caused mainly by ongoing conflict and restrictions on humanitarian access,
Sudan follows closely behind, with famine first confirmed in August 2024. Across the country, 24.6 million people are experiencing high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025. Conflict, economic collapse, and displacement have driven millions into crisis.
Other areas facing similar conditions include South Sudan, Yemen, Haiti and Mali. All of which are places where conflict or severe instability has disrupted livelihoods and food systems.
Acute hunger and malnutrition on the rise
The report utilises the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) to assess food crises. The most severe category, IPC Phase 5, shows an extreme lack of food with imminent risk of starvation and death.
In Gaza, South Sudan, and Yemen, a large portion of the population is now classified as IPC Phase 5. In total, these crises are affecting millions, with Nigeria (30.6 million), the Democratic Republic of the Congo (27.7 million), and Sudan (24.6 million) recording the highest absolute numbers of people suffering from high levels of food insecurity.
Severe malnutrition among children is also a growing concern. In 2025, 13 countries each have over 1 million children aged 6–59 months suffering from acute malnutrition. The worst-affected include Nigeria, the DRC, Afghanistan, Sudan, Gaza, Yemen, and South Sudan.
Funding cuts threaten humanitarian response
Despite worsening needs, the global humanitarian funding landscape is shrinking. A 17% drop in official development assistance (ODA) is projected for 2025. This has led to severe funding shortfalls for food security and nutrition programs.
The World Food Programme (WFP) estimates it will be able to reach 16.7 million fewer people in 2025 than in the previous year, which is a 21% reduction in reach. Meanwhile, only 27% of the required nutrition funding had been secured by mid-2025. This could leave 2.3 million children without treatment for severe acute malnutrition, leading to an estimated 369,000 preventable child deaths.
What is driving this crisis?
The report identifies three key drivers of the worsening food insecurity:
- Conflict and insecurity: Ongoing violence in countries like Gaza, Sudan, and Yemen is the primary cause of famine and hunger.
- Economic shocks: In places like Haiti, economic collapse and high food inflation are severely limiting access to food.
- Extreme weather events, including droughts, floods, and other weather-related disasters, have further eroded food security in parts of Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
The crisis is not new, but it is worsening. The Global Network Against Food Crises, backed by major partners including the EU, UN, and WFP, continues to call for urgent global coordination and support. Without increased humanitarian aid and long-term solutions, millions more could fall into starvation in the coming months.
