A new United Nations early warning report has highlighted a dire increase in acute food insecurity across 18 global “Hotspots,” including Nigeria. The report, released on Thursday, underscores the critical need for immediate intervention to prevent famine in several regions, including Gaza and Sudan, and to address worsening hunger crises in Haiti, Mali, and South Sudan.
The report reveals that many hotspots are experiencing escalating hunger crises due to overlapping shocks such as conflict, climate extremes, and economic instability. The looming impact of El Niño and the potential onset of La Niña pose additional threats, likely exacerbating climate-related food insecurity.
The report calls for urgent humanitarian action to save lives and livelihoods in 18 hotspots, covering 17 countries and one regional cluster (drought-affected Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe), where acute hunger is projected to worsen from June to October 2024.
Ongoing conflicts in regions like Palestine and Sudan are severely aggravating food insecurity. In Gaza, catastrophic levels of acute hunger are expected to worsen, with famine projected by mid-July unless hostilities cease and humanitarian access is granted.
2023 may mark the first year since 2010 where humanitarian funding has decreased, despite the growing need for assistance. However, it remains the second-highest funding level ever recorded.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu emphasized the need for anticipatory approaches, prevention, and resilience building to help vulnerable communities cope with impending shocks. He stressed that acting ahead of crises can save lives and reduce food shortages at a lower cost than reactive humanitarian responses.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain warned of the catastrophic consequences of delayed action. She cited the 2011 famine in Somalia, where half of the victims perished before famine was officially declared. McCain stressed the importance of immediate intervention to prevent similar outcomes in current hotspots.
The ongoing conflict is expected to exacerbate already critical levels of hunger, with significant displacement and destruction in Gaza. The report predicts that over one million people may face death and starvation by mid-July without immediate humanitarian intervention.
The conflict and displacement continue to escalate, with the lean season approaching. The outlook for food production is bleak, and there is a shrinking window to support farmers before the main planting season ends.
Since the last report in October 2023, additional countries such as the Central African Republic, Lebanon, Mozambique, Myanmar, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Zambia have joined the list of hotspots where acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further.
The report provides country-specific recommendations for anticipatory actions and immediate emergency responses. It emphasizes that emergency agriculture support must accompany food and cash assistance to effectively address and prevent famine.
More investments are needed in integrated solutions across multiple organizations to tackle food insecurity meaningfully and reduce reliance on emergency food assistance. This approach aims to create sustainable food security and resilience against future shocks.
In conclusion, the UN report stresses the urgency of immediate humanitarian action to prevent further starvation and death in critical hotspots. By addressing both immediate needs and long-term resilience, the international community can help avert full-blown humanitarian disasters and support vulnerable populations in overcoming acute food insecurity.