Palestinian children gather to receive food portions from a charity kitchen in the Nuseirat refugee camp, located in the central Gaza Strip, on October 21, 2025 — AFP The world is falling significantly behind on its 2030 target of ending hunger. According to the World Food Programme (WFP), the global food crisis is deepening at an alarming rate, driven by a combination of conflict, climate shocks and economic instability. If current trends persist-particularly escalating conflicts in the Middle East and sustained high oil prices-global hunger could reach levels comparable to, or even exceeding, the peak of the 2022 food crisis.
The magnitude of the current hunger crisis is unprecedented in recent years. The WFP estimates that approximately 318 million people will face acute food insecurity in 2026. This figure is more than double the number recorded in 2019, underscoring a dramatic deterioration in global food security. Even more concerning is the emergence of simultaneous famines in parts of Gaza and Sudan, marking the first time two regions in this century officially reaching famine conditions at the same time. These developments highlight the severity and complexity of the crisis, where multiple emergencies are unfolding concurrently.
The global food crisis is not the result of a single factor, but rather the convergence of several interconnected drivers:
1. Armed Conflict: Conflict remains the leading cause of hunger worldwide. Ongoing wars disrupt food production, destroy infrastructure, displace populations, and restrict humanitarian access. Regions affected by violence, particularly in the Middle East and Africa, are experiencing the most acute levels of food insecurity.
2. Climate Shocks: Extreme weather events such as droughts, floods, and heatwaves are increasingly frequent and severe. These shocks devastate agricultural systems, reduce crop yields, and undermine livelihoods, especially in already vulnerable regions.
3. Economic Instability: High inflation, rising debt burdens, and slow economic recovery continue to limit both national and household capacity to cope with food shortages. Many low-income countries face shrinking fiscal space, reducing their ability to respond effectively.
4. Rising Food and Energy Prices: Higher oil prices have a cascading effect on food systems. Higher fuel costs increase the price of transportation, fertilisers, and agricultural production, making food less affordable while simultaneously raising the cost of humanitarian operations.
WFP warns that the situation could worsen significantly in 2026. New projections suggest that an additional 45 million people could fall into acute food insecurity if conflicts-particularly in the Middle East-continue and oil prices remain above $100 per barrel. This would push global hunger towards record levels.
A comparison with the 2022 global food crisis illustrates the risk. In 2022, global hunger affected 349 million people following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, which triggered a widespread cost-of-living crisis. Food prices rose rapidly but declined slowly, leaving vulnerable populations unable to afford basic staples for extended periods. A similar pattern is now emerging.
As WFP leadership has warned, prolonged conflict could send economic shockwaves across the globe, disproportionately affecting those already struggling to meet their basic food needs. The impact of current conflicts extends far beyond their immediate regions. Disruptions to key trade routes-such as the Strait of Hormuz and Red Sea shipping lanes-are already affecting global supply chains. Reduced maritime traffic has led to increased costs for energy, fuel, and fertilisers, further exacerbating food insecurity worldwide.
These ripple effects are particularly severe for countries that depend heavily on imports. Many nations in sub-Saharan Africa and Asia rely on external sources for both food and fuel, making them highly vulnerable to global price fluctuations.
WFP analysis highlights significant regional disparities in the projected impact of the crisis:
l West and Central Africa: Extreme hunger is expected to increase by approximately 21per cent.
l East and Southern Africa: A projected rise of around 17 per cent.
l Asia: Anticipated increase of about 24 per cent, reflecting growing economic pressures and supply disruptions.
Country-level examples illustrate these vulnerabilities. In Sudan, which imports roughly 80 per cent of its wheat, rising global prices directly translate into reduced access to food for millions. Similarly, Somalia-already facing severe drought-has seen essential commodity prices rise by at least 20 per cent, further straining households that are already on the brink.
Compounding the crisis is a significant shortfall in humanitarian funding. The WFP is facing severe budget constraints, forcing it to prioritise assistance and scale back operations in many regions. As a result, millions of people in urgent need are receiving reduced support or none at all. This funding gap undermines the global response at a critical moment. Without sufficient resources, humanitarian agencies cannot effectively mitigate the impact of rising food insecurity or prevent vulnerable populations from slipping into famine conditions.
The global food crisis of 2025-2026 represents a critical juncture. With 318 million people already facing acute hunger-and the potential for tens of millions more to join them-the world is at risk of reversing decades of progress in combating hunger.
Ultimately, the warning from the World Food Programme is clear: without urgent and coordinated global efforts, millions more could be pushed to the brink of starvation, making the goal of ending hunger by 2030 increasingly unattainable.
wasiahmed.bd@gmail.com
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