Two key United Nations agencies dedicated to food and agriculture issued a stark warning on Wednesday, stating that millions more people worldwide could face famine or famine-like conditions amidst a tense climate of limited funding.

According to a joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP), acute food insecurity is intensifying across 16 critical areas globally.

The report highlights Haiti, Mali, Palestine, South Sudan, Sudan, and Yemen as among the most severely affected nations. In these countries, the two organizations stress, populations are confronting an “imminent risk of catastrophic famine.”

“Very concerning” situations in Myanmar, Nigeria…

Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Myanmar, Nigeria, Somalia, and Syria are also considered to be in a “very concerning” situation. The remaining four critical zones identified are Burkina Faso, Chad, Kenya, and the situation facing Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh.

In a joint communiqué, the Rome-based FAO and WFP noted, “Conflicts, economic shocks, extreme weather events, and a critical shortfall in funding are exacerbating already disastrous conditions.”

“We are on the brink of a completely avoidable food catastrophe that threatens to unleash widespread famine in numerous countries,” cautioned Cindy McCain, the WFP’s Executive Director. She added that “failing to act now will only compound the instability.”

Humanitarian aid “on the verge of collapse”

The report also sounds the alarm on “dangerously insufficient” funding for humanitarian aid. It specifies that of the $29 billion needed to assist vulnerable populations, only $10.5 billion has been received, pushing food assistance for refugees, in particular, “to the breaking point.”

The WFP stated it has already scaled back its support for refugees and displaced individuals due to budget cuts and has suspended school meal programs in several countries.

For its part, the FAO warns that efforts to protect agricultural livelihoods are at risk and highlights the urgent necessity for funding for seeds and animal health services.

“Preventing famine is not just a moral duty—it is a wise investment in long-term peace and stability,” reminded FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu.