Fighting famine

You might think famines are a thing of the past. They should be. But famine still exists and as you read this, nearly 43.3 million people are at serious risk of famine. Tragically, by the time a famine is declared, it's already too late. Thousands of people are already dying of hunger.

WFP has the expertise, deep-field presence and operational scale to stop famine in its tracks, and steer people away from the edge of starvation. We work around the clock to avert famine, but urgently need funding to do this. The price of doing nothing will inevitably be measured in lost lives.

In a world where food production keeps increasing, there is no reason that humans should still be suffering this fate.

What are the main causes of famine?

There are many problems that contribute to famine.

Conflict is the biggest driver of famine. Hunger levels worsen when conflict drives large numbers of people from their homes, their land and their jobs. Famines tend to occur in areas where access is restricted, a common factor in conflict zones.

Climate change and more regular droughts are increasing food shortages. Drought means fewer crops, and climate-induced migration is driving farmers from their land.

The fallout of the COVID-19 pandemic is contributing to sharply increasing hunger numbers. Measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 have hit economies worldwide, pushing millions into unemployment and poverty, and leaving governments and donors with fewer resources to address the food and nutritional needs of the most vulnerable people.

Inequality is also critical factor, with low incomes putting affordable food beyond the reach of millions.

Where is there famine in the world?

There are no countries in the world currently meeting the official definition of a famine outlined above, but there are many countries where the risk of starvation is real and famine could happen very soon.

While the majority of affected people live in countries in Africa, the risk of famine is global. Acute hunger is set to rise steeply in most world regions, from the Middle East to Latin America and the Caribbean.

Famines tend to occur in areas where humanitarian access is restricted. In Yemen and South Sudan in particular, conflict, insecurity and resulting displacement are driving acute hunger to alarming levels.

As well as in those two countries, there are people facing catastrophic levels of hunger  in Afghanistan, Ethiopia and Somalia. 

Globally, nearly 43.3 million people are currently on the very edge of famine and risk starvation, up from 27 million people in 2019.

How can we stop famine?

WFP has the expertise and reach to help avoid acute hunger and prevent famines from occurring, through various approaches.