Key points
- FAO and WFP have identified Nigeria and 12 other countries and territories as hunger hotspots between June and November 2026.
- Northeast Nigeria has been elevated to the highest-risk category due to fears of catastrophic hunger in parts of Borno State.
- Conflict remains the leading driver of food insecurity across most of the identified hotspots.
- Humanitarian funding for food and nutrition programmes has fallen sharply in recent years.
- About 266 million people across the affected countries are facing severe food insecurity.
Main Story
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) have warned that millions of people across some of the world’s most vulnerable regions could face worsening hunger in the coming months as conflict, economic shocks and declining humanitarian funding deepen existing crises.
The warning is contained in a new Hunger Hotspots Report, which identified Nigeria and 12 other countries and territories where food insecurity is expected to deteriorate between June and November 2026. According to the report, Sudan, South Sudan, Yemen and Palestine remain the world’s most critical hunger hotspots, while northeast Nigeria and Somalia have now joined the highest-risk category.
The agencies said forecasts indicate that parts of Borno State could face catastrophic levels of hunger, prompting Nigeria’s inclusion among the areas of greatest concern. The report noted that conflict continues to be the primary driver of food insecurity, affecting 12 of the 13 identified hotspots.
It added that economic pressures, climate-related challenges and shrinking humanitarian assistance are compounding already fragile conditions in many countries. WFP and FAO warned that support for food assistance, emergency agricultural programmes and nutrition interventions has declined significantly in recent years. According to the agencies, funding for such programmes fell by an estimated 59 per cent between 2022 and 2025, representing the steepest decline in a decade.
The report estimates that about 266 million people across the identified hotspots are currently experiencing severe food insecurity. FAO said emergency agricultural support remains one of the most effective tools for helping vulnerable households maintain food production and reduce dependence on humanitarian assistance. The agencies also cautioned that emerging conflicts, economic instability and climate-related shocks could further worsen conditions if urgent action is not taken.
The Issues
- Escalating food insecurity in conflict-affected regions.
- Risk of catastrophic hunger in parts of northeast Nigeria.
- Declining humanitarian funding for food and nutrition programmes.
- Economic shocks and climate pressures worsening existing crises.
- Growing number of people requiring emergency food assistance.
What’s Being Said
- The report stated: “Nigeria has entered the highest-risk category after forecasts showed parts of Borno could face catastrophic hunger.”
- WFP Acting Executive Director, Carl Skau, said: “Conflict, shocks, and disasters are forcing families to make impossible decisions about who gets to eat and who goes to bed hungry.”
- FAO Deputy Director-General, Beth Bechdol, said: “The challenge is whether we act early enough and at the necessary scale.”
- WFP Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Service Director, Jean-Martin Bauer, said: “Economic shocks are compounding food insecurity, and climate change and climate variability are also further intensifying the situation.”
What’s Next
- FAO and WFP are expected to intensify monitoring of hunger conditions across the identified hotspots.
- Humanitarian agencies may seek additional funding to scale up food, nutrition and agricultural support.
- Governments and aid organisations will focus on preventing further deterioration in high-risk regions, particularly northeast Nigeria.
Bottom Line
FAO and WFP have raised alarm over worsening hunger conditions in Nigeria and other global hotspots, warning that conflict, economic pressures and declining aid funding are pushing millions closer to severe food insecurity and possible famine.
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