Wars, climate change and poverty put millions of people on the brink of the abyss

Hundreds of thousands of people would be affected in the coming months by catastrophic levels of food insecurity bordering on starvation, driven primarily by violence and conflict, warned a new report joint effort between two specialized UN agencies released this Thursday.

The study of World Food Program (PMA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) argued that without immediate and concerted humanitarian action to overcome enormous access limitations and resolve ongoing conflicts, “further famine and death are likely” in the five hotspots of hunger today: Haiti, Mali, the occupied Palestinian territories, South Sudan and Sudan.

It is urgent to act to save lives and livelihoods, and prevent famine and death in critical areas where the Acute hunger could worsen between November 2024 and May 2025the publication insists.

The organizations foresee a increase in magnitude and severity of food insecurity in 22 countries and territories.

Conflicts, climate change and poverty

The document explains that the spread of conflicts, especially in the Middle East, extreme climate events and poverty They leave millions of people on the brink of the abyss.

The report specifically highlights the regional consequences of the war in Gaza, that has plunged Lebanon into conflict.

He also considers that the meteorological phenomenon of La Niña could affect climate until March 2025, threatening fragile food systems in regions that are already vulnerable.

La Niña could alter rainfall patterns “in numerous hunger hotspots,” and flood risk would increase in Nigeria, South Sudan and other southern African countries. In the same way, could generate droughts in Ethiopia, Kenya and Somaliawith the consequent damage to agricultural systems.

UN agencies drew attention to the famine in the Zamzam camp in northern Darfur and the risk of famine in other areas of Sudan, the persistent risk of famine in palestine -especially in the Gaza Strip after more than a year of war-, and the catastrophic levels of chronic hunger in Haiti, Mali and South Sudan.

A ceasefire in Gaza is imperative

The FAO Director-General stressed the imperative of achieving a ceasefire in Gaza.

“If we want to save lives and prevent acute hunger and malnutrition“We urgently need a humanitarian ceasefire,” said Qu Dongyu, stressing the need for Palestinians to have access to highly nutritious supplies and to be allowed to start local food production again.

Similarly, WFP Executive Director Cindi McCain noted that around the world conflicts are intensifying, economic instability is increasing and climate disasters are becoming the new norm.

“With a more effective political and financial supporthumanitarian workers can and will continue to apply proven, scalable solutions to address hunger and reduce long-term needs,” he stated.

World leaders must step up

In this sense, McCain considered that it is time for world leaders to step forward and work with humanitarian agencies to reach the millions of people at risk of starvationoffering diplomatic solutions to conflicts, using their influence to enable humanitarian workers to operate safely, and mobilizing the resources and partnerships needed to stop global hunger immediately.

The agencies stressed that it is essential adopt early and specific measures to prevent the crisis from worsening further and to prevent mass starvation-related mortality.

FAO and WFP urged world leaders to prioritize conflict resolution, economic support and climate change adaptation measures to protect the most vulnerable populations from the brink of famine.

Other critical points

The report indicates that in addition to the five most worrying cases of conflict-induced famine and chronic hunger, they remain hotspots Chad, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Syria and Yemencountries where large numbers of people face severe acute food insecurity.

The study states that the impact of extreme climate events, along with conflict, economic instability and reduced funding for emergency food and agricultural assistance have Added new hotspots of acute hunger from June to date: Kenya, Lesotho, Namibia and Niger.