Fighting famine
The world is facing a widespread hunger crisis
After decades of progress in combatting hunger, the number of people facing acute food insecurity is rising again due to the combined impact of armed conflict, climate change and the cost-of-living crisis.
Despite global commitments, the number of people facing acute hunger has doubled over the last five years and in some parts of the world the threat of famine has re-emerged, with devastating consequences for the most vulnerable.
The humanitarian and development system, including UN agencies, NGOs and other actors, are working with governments to meet the most urgent needs and address the drivers of rising food insecurity and famine risk in the longer-term. In 2022 alone, humanitarian actors provided life-saving assistance to almost 160 million people.
Despite these efforts, the compounding impacts of conflict, climate and economic shocks continue to drive increasing needs, while funding and other resources are ever more limited. We need coordinated and scaled-up efforts to get back on track towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, and make sure we leave no one behind.
Key resources on food crises*
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Global Report on Food Crises (2023) by the Food Security Information Network
— the report provides the most comprehensive set of data on food crises - The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2023 (SOFI) report
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The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC)
— a muti-partner initiative aiming at measuring food security situations -
The Global Food and Nutrition Security Dashboard (GAFS)
— with data on food crisis severity, financing and research -
Portal on the Global Food Crisis
— WFP portal including the latest data on hunger hotspots -
FAO response to global food security challenges
— In-Focus page provided by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) - World Bank updates on Food Security
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The Food Security Portal
— facilitated by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI)
Advocacy initiatives. *
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Action Against Hunger:
Famine Action Open Letter (signed by 238 NGO partners)
Appeal on the Hunger Crisis - how you can help -
Avaaz petition to fight Somalia climate famine
— Sign the petition here - CARE campaign to respond to the Global Hunger Crisis
- International Rescue Committee (IRC) plan on the looming famine in East Africa
- Oxfam’s campaign on the Climate and Food crisis in East and West Africa
- Plan International appeal of the global food crisis
- Save the Children Campaign on the Hunger Crisis
- World Vision International plan on the global hunger crisis
* Links to external websites are provided for information only. The United Nations is not responsible for the content of external websites.