WFP warns of worsening food crisis as UN marks World Food Day

WFP warns of worsening food crisis as UN marks World Food Day - Children having porridge following the resumption of refugee food assistance in the Bokolmayo refugee camp in the Somali region of Ethiopia. (Photo: WFP/Michael Tewelde/ via Addis Standard)

In conflict-affected areas, the situation is compounded by persistent access constraints that leave some of the most vulnerable populations without support.

The World Food Programme (WFP) is warning of a deepening global hunger and malnutrition crisis, worsened in some regions by protracted conflicts that have left millions of people in desperate need.

Citing the global report on food crises, the WFP said a staggering 266 million people are already facing crisis levels of hunger or worse.

The UN agency made the remarks on World Food Day, an annual observance aimed at raising global awareness and driving action to eradicate hunger, malnutrition and poverty.

This year's event is being marked under the theme, "Innovate today. Nourish tomorrow". The theme highlights the role of innovation, data and technology in improving access to safe and nutritious food.

"The situation in the Middle East (Gaza) and Sudan was worse as wars continued last year in the midst of two simultaneous famines," the agency said.

WFP warned that these regions could see acute hunger levels worsen if the conflicts persist.

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"In 2025, two simultaneous famines were confirmed in parts of Gaza and Sudan, a devastating first this century. Many food crises involve multiple overlapping issues that are building year on year," said WFP.

It added that there is a need to strengthen peacebuilding efforts and ensure safe and unrestricted access across borders and conflict lines in order to save lives and prevent the hunger catastrophe from spreading even further.

Keeping people alive, the agency said, is however not sufficient, as efforts must also address the underlying causes of hunger.

For its part, WFP said its work to build resilience, adapt to weather extremes, promote good nutrition and strengthen food systems is laying the foundations for a more prosperous future for millions.

Such efforts have seen WFP and local communities transform 158,000 hectares of barren land in the Sahel region across five African countries into productive farmland and grazing areas.

"Our climate-insurance programme, the R4 Rural Resilience initiative, had benefited nearly 550,000 vulnerable households and families in 18 countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America and the Caribbean by 2023. At the same time, WFP is working with governments in 83 countries to boost or build national safety nets and nutrition-sensitive social protection, allowing us to reach more people with emergency food assistance," WFP said.

The efforts are, however, facing funding shortfalls, a challenge that is forcing WFP to scale back assistance and refocus resources on the most severe needs.

In conflict-affected areas, the situation is further compounded by persistent access constraints that leave some of the most vulnerable populations without support.

WFP therefore said that unless resources are made available and unrestricted access granted, the cost will be measured in lost lives and the reversal of hard-earned development gains.