United Nations humanitarians are sounding the alarm on the looming threat of a “firestorm of hunger” in at least 18 crisis locations around the world. The Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Food Programme (WFP) have highlighted the urgent need for aid to reach these hunger hotspots to prevent a potential famine.
While many of these crisis locations are in Africa, concerns also persist in Gaza, Sudan, and Haiti. In Haiti, escalating violence and threats to food security have put the country at risk of a major hunger emergency. The WFP has managed to deliver much-needed food to vulnerable populations in Port-au-Prince, but the security situation remains complex and challenging.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has warned that the number of people facing acute food insecurity in Haiti could reach a record five million by the end of June. The high prices of staple foods, coupled with rampant gang violence, have exacerbated the already dire food security situation in the country.
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain emphasized the importance of acting swiftly to prevent a famine, citing the devastating consequences of delayed action in past crises. The UN agencies have also raised concerns about the potential impact of La Niña between August and February 2025, which could lead to climate shifts and extreme weather events in several countries.
Immediate humanitarian action is needed on a large scale to prevent further starvation and death in these crisis locations. The world must heed the warnings and work together to address the root causes of hunger and food insecurity before it’s too late.