In today’s world, the focus remains on urgent global crises such as the Israel-Palestine war, Iran-Israel conflict, and Russia-Ukraine war. Efforts in politics and diplomacy are centered on these hotspots, while attention is also on the refugee crisis with 120 million people displaced due to various reasons. World Refugee Day on June 20 saw global solidarity and commitments to take tangible actions beyond mere words, which is commendable.
However, there is a silent but deadly emergency looming in 13 global hotspots – hunger and the imminent threat of famine. This critical issue is not receiving the same level of global attention as other crises.
Approximately 155 million individuals in 13 crisis-affected regions face acute food insecurity. These regions include Burkina Faso, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Gaza Strip, Haiti, Mali, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen.
Key points to note include eight of the 13 hunger hotspots being in Africa, with countries like Burkina Faso, Chad, the DRC, Somalia, and Sudan having long-standing hunger issues. More than half of the at-risk population is concentrated in Nigeria, the DRC, and Sudan. The severity of food insecurity varies across countries and regions, leading to nutritional challenges, especially among children.
Armed conflict is a major driver of food insecurity in 12 of the 13 hotspots. Widespread violence is causing a significant decline in food security in these areas. Factors like floods, economic challenges, political tensions, and violence are exacerbating the food crisis in various regions.
Global economic instability, rising debt burdens, and climate extremes are further worsening the situation in these hotspots. Funding for food and emergency assistance has fallen short, leading to concerns about the delivery of essential aid. Urgent humanitarian action and international cooperation are necessary to prevent starvation and improve conditions in vulnerable regions.
As funding cuts and access constraints pose challenges, prioritizing food assistance for the most urgent cases is crucial. Proactive intervention is vital to saving lives and protecting livelihoods at lower costs. The global community must not reduce humanitarian assistance but instead scale it up to address emergency food needs across all hunger hotspots.
While the world is preoccupied with visible emergencies, it is crucial not to overlook the silent crises that threaten human survival.