Hunger hotspots: FAO-WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity, October 2022 to January 2023 outlook

This report warns that acute food insecurity is likely to deteriorate further in 19 countries or situations called hunger hotspots during the outlook period from October 2022 to January 2023. Acute food insecurity globally continues to escalate. According to the recently published global report on food crisis 2022 mid -year update, up to 205 million people are expected to face acute food insecurity and to be in need of urgent assistance (IPC/CH Phase or above or equivalent) in 45 countries. If additional data from latest available analysis of 2021 is included for 8 countries and territories, this number is estimated to reach up to 222 million people in 53 countries/ territories covered by the GRFC 2022. This is the highest number recorded in the seven-year history of the report. Around 45 million people in 37 countries are projected to have so little to eat that they will be severely malnourished, at risk of death or already facing starvation and death (IPC/CH Phase 4 and above). This included 970000 people projected to face Catastrophic condition (IPC/CH Phase 5) in 2022, if no action is taken. On the economic front, elevated global prices for hydrocarbons and agricultural commodities continue to cause increases in domestic food and energy prices. Monetary-tightening measures enacted by numerous central banks- including major advanced economies-to curb rising inflation rates have enhanced the cost of credit and curbed financial inflows directed towards developing countries. Combined with growing risks of recession, or a significant slowdown in major economies such as the European Union and China, these dynamics are boosting macroeconomic risks for developing economies. Further shortfalls and rising operational costs have reduced humanitarian assistance across many of these hunger hotspots. Without additional funding, humanitarian assistance is likely to be further reduced across the board in the outlook period. Targeted humanitarian action is urgently needed to save lives and livelihoods in the 19 hunger hotspots. Moreover, in six of these hotspots Afghanistan, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen- humanitarian actions are critical in preventing further starvation and death. This report provides country-specific recommendations on priorities for emergency response, as well as anticipatory action to address existing humanitarian needs and ensure short-term protective interventions before new needs materialize.