Why 10 African nations just exited the UN hunger watchlist
Ten countries have been dropped from the United Nations' Hunger Hotspots list, marking a positive development in the global fight against acute food insecurity.
The joint report released by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), stated that, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia, and Zimbabwe are no longer considered imminent hunger hotspots.
The agencies attributed their removal to improved weather conditions, better harvests, and fewer climate shocks.
“In east and southern Africa, as well as in Niger, better climatic conditions for harvests and fewer weather extremes have eased food security pressures,” the report noted. “But these improvements could reverse quickly if new shocks emerge.”
In southern Africa, Zambia is expected to harvest more than 3.6 million tonnes of maize, over twice last year’s drought-affected output. South Africa has also seen a 14% increase in its maize crop, helping ease regional food prices.
The El Niño weather pattern, often associated with drought in the region, has dissipated, with neutral conditions expected to continue through October, according to global forecasters. Climate scientists warn that future El Niño and La Niña cycles may become more extreme due to rising global temperatures.
Despite the good news for some countries, the global hunger outlook remains bleak in many regions. The FAO and WFP identified 13 countries and territories as hunger hotspots requiring urgent humanitarian intervention. Of these, Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali remain at the "highest concern" level, facing famine-like conditions or catastrophic levels of food insecurity.
According to the report, armed conflict is the primary driver of food crises in 12 of the 13 hotspots, while economic collapse, high inflation, displacement, and climate hazards compound the problem.
In Sudan alone, more than 18 million people are facing acute food insecurity, with parts of the country already classified in the Integrated Food Security Classification, IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe), which is the most severe level on the food insecurity scale.
The Democratic Republic of Congo has been re-added to the list due to intensifying violence. “The crises are being exacerbated by growing access constraints and critical funding shortfalls,” the report said.
The FAO and WFP urged the international community not only to scale up humanitarian support but also to invest in early warning systems and disaster preparedness to prevent future crises.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
