We’ve all heard the word “famine” before, but few people realize it’s not just a general term for a food shortage.
Experts use the word ‘famine’ to describe an extreme, deadly food crisis. For a famine to be officially declared, the following conditions must be met:
– 1 in 5 households face extreme food shortages
– 30% of the population is malnourished
– At least two out of every 10,000 adults and four out of every 10,000 children die each day from hunger
In the 21st century, only Somalia and South Sudan have officially declared famine … but that could change very soon.
According to the United Nations, 49 million people across 46 countries worldwide could be at risk of experiencing true famine if they don’t receive assistance.
So why is famine on the verge of becoming a common threat?
Here are some of the contributing factors behind today’s global food shortages:
Natural Disasters and Climate Shocks
Please pray for a successful harvest in the Horn of Africa this year
In the last decade, more than 1.7 billion people have been affected by natural disasters like hurricanes, droughts, and floods.
The World Food Program reports, “These disasters are happening more often with increasingly devastating effects. Droughts are lasting longer. Hurricanes and cyclones are more common and more destructive. Floods and wildfires are affecting more parts of the globe.”
These climate-driven disasters don’t just take lives, destroy homes, and displace communities. They also fuel hunger, especially in vulnerable regions like the Horn of Africa.
In countries like South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia, rising temperatures caused five years of drought, followed by catastrophic floods. Crucial crops failed season after season, leaving little or nothing to harvest.
As the food supplies decreased, prices began to soar, making nutritious food unaffordable for countless people.
War and Political Instability
Almost 80% of the world’s refugee population is experiencing food insecurity
Did you know that conflict is the leading cause of hunger worldwide? Right now, 65% of people on the brink of starvation live in high-conflict countries.
When a nation is experiencing war or political instability, the food system breaks down. Crops are destroyed and farms are abandoned. The cost of imported food skyrockets, and sometimes, critical supply routes are completely cut off.
We’re currently seeing this happen in places like Gaza and Sudan, where ongoing violence makes it difficult to give humanitarian aid to those who need it most.
Unfortunately, this is a trend we’re seeing around the globe. One of the most alarming examples is happening much closer to home in Haiti.
In 2024, a coalition of gangs launched a series of violent attacks on the capital, Port-au-Prince. They orchestrated the escape of more than 3,700 prisoners, took control of key ports, forced airports and shipping operations to shut down, and set up blockades.
As of January 2025, over one million Haitians were displaced. As the government struggles to stabilize, Haiti’s people are on the brink of famine.
Chronic Poverty and Cultural Traditions
Will you be a lifeline for someone in need today?
Chronic poverty and gender roles significantly contribute to global hunger — particularly among young girls and women.
In developing countries, millions of people survive on less than $1.90 a day. And while not everyone who faces poverty struggles with food insecurity, people who don’t have enough food almost always live in poverty.
This is especially true in rural communities, where jobs and education are hard to come by. Without a steady income, parents often can’t afford to send all their children to school … and when hard choices have to be made, girls are more likely to be left behind.
Without an education, these girls will have fewer opportunities for stable, well-paying jobs — which will trap their children in the same cycle of poverty and food insecurity.
The situation for young girls and women becomes even more dire when food is scarce.
Today, 60% of the world’s hungriest people are women and girls, and in two out of three countries, women are more likely to report food insecurity than men.
This imbalance is rooted in cultural and gender expectations. For example, in parts of India and Thailand, women are expected to wait until the men and boys have eaten before they can have food.
In countries like Afghanistan, women’s rights are restricted. Many are forbidden from working, making it nearly impossible to earn an income and provide food for their families.
While the risk of famine may be on the rise, hope has not yet been lost. The World Help family is providing physical and spiritual aid to people in the hungriest countries.
Will you give today to prevent famine in places like Haiti, Sudan, Afghanistan, and other impoverished countries?
Your gift will provide emergency food, clean water, medical care, God’s Word, and more to someone in need.
Click the button below to learn more about how you can be the hands and feet of Jesus worldwide.