Global Hunger Surges to Record Levels Due to Conflict and Extreme Weather: UN Report

In 2024, global hunger surged to an unprecedented level, marking a grim milestone in the fight against food insecurity. According to the United Nations-backed Global Report on Food Crises, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories experienced acute food insecurity, highlighting a worsening humanitarian crisis. The report paints a concerning picture for 2025 as well, describing the outlook as "bleak" due to a combination of complex and interrelated global challenges.

Conflict remained the primary driver of this alarming rise in hunger. Nearly 140 million people were affected by war and political instability, especially in regions like Gaza, Sudan, Yemen, and Mali, where the situation has become catastrophic. In Gaza, food insecurity is expected to pass famine thresholds due to ongoing conflict and blockade, while Sudan has already confirmed famine conditions in multiple regions. Prolonged conflicts in Syria and Afghanistan have also severely disrupted livelihoods, food production, and supply chains, forcing millions into food crises.

Alongside armed conflict, economic shocks have played a major role in worsening food insecurity. Countries like Syria and Yemen suffered from soaring inflation, currency devaluation, and limited access to global markets, pushing 59.4 million people into hunger. These economic downturns have diminished household purchasing power, making it difficult for vulnerable communities to afford basic food items.

Extreme weather events, driven by climate change and El Niño patterns, also exacerbated the crisis. Droughts and floods affected over 96 million people in 18 countries, with Southern Africa, Southern Asia, and the Horn of Africa bearing the brunt. Erratic weather patterns destroyed crops, reduced agricultural yields, and left communities without adequate water and nutrition sources.

The report also reveals that acute food insecurity has nearly tripled compared to previous years. A staggering 22.6 percent of people in the hardest-hit regions were experiencing crisis-level hunger or worse. More than two dozen countries, including Afghanistan, Sudan, and Palestine, are simultaneously facing both food and nutrition crises, with alarming levels of child malnutrition and mortality being reported.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern over the findings, calling the report an "unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course." He described the escalating hunger as a “failure of humanity”, emphasizing that the international community cannot respond to empty stomachs with indifference.

While there were signs of improvement in 15 countries such as Ukraine, Kenya, and Guatemala, largely due to scaled-up humanitarian aid, improved harvests, and reduced conflict, these gains are fragile. The report warns that substantial cuts in humanitarian funding by major donors threaten ongoing and future relief efforts, raising the risk of deeper crises in already vulnerable areas.

In conclusion, the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises issues a stark warning: without sustained international cooperation, proactive intervention, and increased funding, the world faces a continued escalation of hunger, malnutrition, and famine across multiple regions. The urgent need for coordinated action and long-term solutions has never been more critical.