Syllabus

GS 2: Issues relating to poverty and hunger.

Context: 

Recently, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and World Food Programme (WFP) have released the “Hunger Hotspots: FAO-WFP Early Warning on Acute Food Insecurity” report.

More on the News: 

• The report has provided an outlook for the period June to October 2025.
• The report warns about urgent humanitarian aid for highlighted hotspots.

Key highlights from the report

• A new joint United Nations report has identified Sudan, South Sudan and Mali among the five global hunger hotspots of highest concern.
• The report warns of a worsening food crisis in 13 countries and regions, with armed conflict being the leading cause in 12 of these hotspots.
• People in these critical regions will face severe food shortages, increased hunger and a higher risk of death. 
• The countries and territories listed as hunger hotspots in the report are those expected to face worsening acute food insecurity during the outlook period.
• The Hunger Hotspots report provides country-specific recommendations for urgent emergency aid.
• Short-term protective measures and early action are required to address current needs and prevent future food crises.

Sudan and South Sudan:

• Sudan continues to face a severe food crisis, with famine declared in 2024 due to ongoing conflict and mass displacement.
• Around 24.6 million people in Sudan are expected to face Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or higher) food insecurity, including 637,000 at Catastrophe level (IPC Phase 5) until May 2025.
• In South Sudan, about 7.7 million people—57% of the population—may suffer from severe food shortages between April and July 2025.
• The crisis in South Sudan is driven by flooding, political instability and economic challenges, with 63,000 people likely to face famine-like conditions.

Other African and Asian countries 

• Mali may see around 2,600 people face starvation between June and August 2025 due to conflict and high grain prices.
• Palestine’s entire population of 2.1 million is experiencing severe food shortages, with nearly 500,000 at famine risk by September.
• Countries of major concern include Yemen, DR Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia and Syria, with DR Congo re-added due to growing conflict.
• Nigeria facing threats from both violence and adverse weather.
• In Haiti, rising gang violence has displaced thousands, with 8,400 people already facing catastrophic hunger.
• In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, ongoing armed clashes in the east are expected to cause mass displacement and worsen food insecurity.
• In Nigeria, a combination of unfavourable weather and rising violence is likely to further threaten food security in 2025.
• Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been removed from the Hunger Hotspots list due to improved harvests, better weather, and reduced conflict.

Mains Question

The FAO-WFP Hunger Hotspots Report (June–October 2025) highlights the worsening food insecurity in conflict-ridden and climate-vulnerable regions. Discuss the key findings of the report and critically examine the major drivers and implications of acute food insecurity in the identified hotspot countries. (15M, 250W)