• UN reports rising hunger in 13 hotspots globally.
• Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali face immediate risk of starvation.
• Conflict, economic shocks, and climate change are key factors driving the crisis.
• Urgent humanitarian action and coordinated international response are essential.
• Other countries flagged include Yemen, DRC, Myanmar, and Nigeria.

A recently released Hunger Hotspots report from the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) warns of worsening hunger conditions in 13 countries and territories. Among these, five—Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali—are identified as facing an immediate risk of starvation unless urgent humanitarian actions are taken, according to aa and aljazeera.

The report highlights that escalating conflicts, economic shocks, and climate-related hazards are primary drivers of increasing hunger. Approximately 25 million people in Sudan are currently experiencing acute food insecurity due to ongoing conflicts, while the blockade in Gaza has left its 2.1 million residents facing severe food shortages, according to africanews and africanews.

Moreover, South Sudan is grappling with political instability and climate challenges, contributing to a food crisis affecting nearly 7.7 million people. Haiti faces a surge in gang violence, further complicating access to food and humanitarian aid with over 8,400 individuals already in catastrophic hunger conditions. Mali's high grain prices amidst ongoing conflict exacerbate the situation for vulnerable households, according to aa and aljazeera.

The urgent call for action emphasized by FAO and WFP is crucial, as current conditions risk further alienating vulnerable populations. “These are communities already facing famine or at risk of famine, which underscores the pressing need for coordinated international efforts to mount a full-scale response to the crisis,” officials warn, according to africanews.

In addition to the five most affected nations, the report flags Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, and Nigeria as areas of great concern. The UN highlights that humanitarian efforts are being compromised by funding shortfalls and increased violence, making preventative interventions more critical than ever, as noted by aa, aljazeera, and africanews.