NuzTube INDIA
Global food insecurity and malnutrition have continued to escalate alarmingly in 2024, with approximately 295 million people across 53 countries suffering from acute hunger, according to a recent report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and its partners. This disturbing figure marks a rise of 13.7 million people compared to 2023, representing the sixth consecutive year of increased acute food insecurity in the world’s most vulnerable regions.
The findings were detailed in the 2025 Global Report on Food Crises, published by the Global Network Against Food Crises (GNAFC)—an international alliance comprising the FAO, the UN World Food Programme (WFP), and multiple governmental and non-governmental organizations dedicated to addressing hunger worldwide.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres delivered a stern warning alongside the report, describing the situation as “another unflinching indictment of a world dangerously off course.” He emphasized that hunger and malnutrition are spreading faster than global efforts to combat them. Shockingly, he pointed out that nearly one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, exacerbating the crisis. Guterres also highlighted a recent, troubling trend—a significant decline in lifesaving humanitarian funding, which compounds already dire circumstances in affected regions.
Acute food insecurity generally results from a complex mix of factors including poverty, economic shocks, and extreme weather conditions. However, the report firmly identifies conflicts as the primary driver behind the worst-hit areas. In many places, the crisis extends beyond acute hunger, reaching catastrophic levels.
One of the most distressing revelations in the report is the confirmation of famine conditions in parts of Sudan during 2024. Other regions such as the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali also suffered from catastrophic food insecurity. In the Gaza Strip, famine was narrowly avoided thanks to increased humanitarian assistance, but the report warns of a looming risk between May and September 2025 if ongoing military operations and blockades persist.
Forced displacement is another critical factor exacerbating food insecurity. In 2024, around 128 million people were forcibly displaced worldwide, including refugees, asylum seekers, and internally displaced persons. Of these, nearly 95 million were residing in countries already struggling with food crises, further compounding the humanitarian challenge, according to Xinhua news agency.
Economic shocks played a major role in triggering food insecurity in 15 countries, impacting about 59.4 million people. Meanwhile, extreme weather events—ranging from droughts to floods—pushed 18 countries into crisis mode, affecting more than 96 million individuals. These weather-induced crises were particularly severe in Southern Asia, Southern Africa, and the Horn of Africa, regions highly vulnerable to climate variability.
Qu Dongyu, Director-General of the FAO, sounded a note of urgency in response to these worsening conditions. He warned that acute food insecurity is becoming an entrenched reality, especially in rural areas where agricultural livelihoods are often the primary source of sustenance. Dongyu stressed the importance of strategic investment in emergency agriculture, stating, “The path forward is clear: Investment in emergency agriculture is critical — not just as a response, but as the most cost-effective solution to deliver significant, long-lasting impact.”
The report makes it evident that the world is facing an unprecedented challenge where humanitarian crises overlap with environmental stressors and conflict zones. The persistence of such widespread hunger calls for a coordinated global response focused not only on emergency aid but also on sustainable development, climate resilience, and peacebuilding initiatives.
The increase in acute hunger highlights the urgent need to address the root causes of food insecurity while improving the efficiency of food production, distribution, and consumption. Enhanced funding for humanitarian programs, innovation in agricultural practices, and conflict resolution are critical to reversing the current trends.
As millions suffer from hunger and malnutrition, the international community faces a moral imperative to act decisively and collaboratively. The 2025 Global Report on Food Crises serves as both a wake-up call and a roadmap, emphasizing that while the challenges are immense, targeted investments and political will can pave the way toward food security and improved livelihoods for vulnerable populations worldwide.
