Context:

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2024 has revealed a worsening global hunger situation, with over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories facing acute food insecurity.

Key findings of the Report:

• Over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories are facing serious hunger, an increase of 13.7 million compared to 2023.
• Prevalence: Approximately 23 percent of the assessed population; above the 20 percent threshold for the fifth straight year.
• Catastrophic hunger (IPC/CH Phase 5): Doubled to 1.9 million people—the highest level since 2016 tracking began.
• Child malnutrition: Nearly 38 million children under five were acutely malnourished, with “extremely high” rates in regions including the Gaza Strip, Mali, Sudan and Yemen.
•  Funding Shortfalls and Outlook: In 2025, funding for food and nutrition emergencies is expected to drop by up to 45% — the biggest cut ever recorded in the history of the GRFC.

o    Some of the major donors are planning to stop their support suddenly. This puts important aid programs at risk in countries like Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Haiti, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen.

o    Because of these funding cuts, nutrition services for at least 14 million children could be disrupted. This may lead to a rise in malnutrition and child deaths.

Primary Drivers of the crises: 

1.       Conflict: The dominant factor, affecting 140 million people in 20 countries. Confirmed famine in Sudan and catastrophic hunger hotspots in the Gaza Strip, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali.

2.      Forced Displacement: Nearly 95 million forcibly displaced individuals (IDPs, asylum seekers, refugees) residing in nations already experiencing food crises—Democratic Republic of Congo, Colombia, Sudan and Syria among them.

3.      Climate Extremes: El Niño–induced droughts and floods pushed 96 million people into crisis conditions across 18 countries. Historic high temperatures and widespread flooding precipitated crop failures, especially in southern Africa.

4.     Economic Shocks: Inflation and currency devaluation drove hunger for 59.4 million people in 15 countries—levels nearly double those prior to the COVID‑19 pandemic despite a slight year‑on‑year decline. Afghanistan, South Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen were hardest hit.

About Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2024:

The Global Report on Food Crises (GRFC) 2024 is published annually by The Global Network Against Food Crisis (GNAFC) with analysis from the Food Security Information Network.

·         GNAFC is an international alliance of the United Nations, the European Union, governmental and non-governmental agencies working together to address food crises.

Strategic Recommendations:

• Evidence‑driven, impact‑focused interventions, scaling proven models and prioritizing measurable outcomes.
• Resource pooling across UN agencies, governments and NGOs to maximize efficiency.
• Localization: Strengthening local food systems to enhance resilience against shocks.
• Integrated nutrition services that address both immediate needs and long‑term vulnerabilities.
• Community engagement: Placing affected populations at the center of response design and implementation.

Conclusion:
The 2024 Global Report on Food Crises highlights a sharp rise in hunger caused by overlapping problems—conflict, displacement, extreme weather, and economic instability. Working together is essential to create a future without hunger.