Countries requiring external assistance for food
Countries in crisis requiring external assistance for food are expected to lack the resources to deal with reported critical problems of food insecurity. The list below covers crises related to lack of food availability, widespread lack of access to food, or severe but localized problems. GIEWS updates this list three times a year (four times before 2023).
March 2026
(total: 41 countries)
Nature of Food Insecurity
Main Reasons
New entry
Drought conditions, high food prices
- About 2.1 million people, 13 percent of the analysed population, were estimated to be acutely food insecure between October 2025 and January 2026, due to the negative impact of a series of adverse weather events on crop and livestock production. Prevalence and levels of acute food insecurity are expected to have increased further in early 2026 due to the negative impact of below-average October–December 2025 short rains on crops and livestock.
Weather extremes, civil insecurity
- About 6.5 million, 33 percent of the analysed population, people are estimated to face severe acute food insecurity between February and March 2026, reflecting the impact of drought conditions during the October–December 2025 Deyr rainy season on agricultural production. The protracted conflict is also contributing to the high levels of acute food insecurity.
Conflict, displacements, high food prices
- The ongoing conflict has severely disrupted livelihoods, paralysed economic activities and triggered large-scale population displacements. According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, 19.1 million people, 41 percent of the analysed population, are projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse levels of acute food insecurity between February and May 2026. This figure includes about 4.9 million people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 146 000 people facing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) levels of acute food insecurity. The IPC Famine Review Committee (FRC) assessed that, under a plausible worst‑case scenario, involving intensified conflict and further restrictions on humanitarian access and movements of goods and people, 20 areas across the Greater Darfur and Greater Kordofan regions are at risk of famine between October 2025 and May 2026.
Weather extremes, high food prices
- According to the preliminary results of the latest IPC analysis, about 1.14 million people, 9 percent of the analysed population, were projected to face (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) levels of acute food insecurity between January and March 2026. The main drivers are livelihood losses due to climatic shocks and protracted macroeconomic challenges, including currency depreciation. Furthermore, the weakness of the national currency has contributed to pushing up prices of imported foods and fuel prices, which inflated production and transport costs, and consequently prices of locally produced staples.
Conflict, high food prices, weather extremes
- According to the latest IPC analysis, published in November 2025, the number of severely food insecure people (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) is estimated at 2.3 million (about 35 percent of the total population) between April and August 2026, including over 400 000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The situation primarily reflects the impact of the conflict and civil insecurity.
- As of December 2025, more than 427 000 people were internally displaced as a result of civil insecurity and armed violence according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
Refugee influx, civil insecurity, adverse weather conditions
- According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé (CH)analysis, about 1.9 million people were facing severe acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between October and December 2025, including over 95 600 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). The continuing influx of refugees from the Sudan has intensified pressure on scarce resources in eastern host communities, while acute food insecurity also remains a concern in conflict-affected areas, including Lac Province. Adverse weather conditions, including flooding, affected agricultural production in several areas in 2025, further eroding livelihoods.
Conflict
- According to the latest IPC acute food insecurity report released in November 2025, 26.6 million people (22 percent of the analysed population) are projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above levels of acute food insecurity between January and June 2026, including 3.3 million people facing IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The escalation of the ongoing conflict in several eastern and southern regions, along with consequent population displacements and high staple food prices, are likely to further worsen the situation.
- As of August 2025, there were an estimated 5.28 million IDPs, according to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
Unfavourable weather, low incomes
- About 230 000 people, 20 percent of the analysed population, were projected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between July and December 2025, reflecting frequent weather shocks, low purchasing power and a significant reduction of humanitarian assistance due to funding cuts.
Weather extremes, conflict, high food prices
- Although the latest acute food insecurity estimates were last published in 2024, the arrival of the 2025 Meher crops September 2025 has generally improved overall conditions due to increased food availability. However, in southern and southeastern pastoral areas, the prevalence and levels of food insecurity have increased in early 2026 due to the negative impact of below‑average December2024–October 2025.
- Deyr/Hageya rains on livestock body conditions and on the availability of livestock products.
High food prices, adverse weather conditions
- Just over 4 million people were projected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) in the October 2025 to March 2026 period, down from 5.7 million the previous year. Prospects of a recovery in cereal production in 2026 and the already stabilizing prices of key food staples could potentially support further improvement in conditions.
Refugee influx, adverse weather conditions
- Nearly 296 000 people were estimated to face severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025. Sustained inflows of people fleeing the conflict in Mali increased the number of registered refugees and asylum seekers to about 185 000 as of January 2026, with approximately 90 percent concentrated in the Hodh Ech Chargui Region, increasing pressure on limited resources in host communities. Furthermore, in some agropastoral areas, rainfall deficits affected production in 2025.
Civil insecurity, flooding
- About 1.9 million people faced severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including over 14 500 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). Civil insecurity continues to disrupt livelihoods and has triggered the internal displacement of nearly 460 000 people, as of January 2026, while humanitarian assistance remains limited. Widespread flooding in 2025 affected 474 000 people. Concerns remain about acute food insecurity among 436 000 refugees and asylum seekers hosted in the country as of January 2026.
Conflict, macroeconomic challenges, flooding
- About 27.2 million people were estimated to face severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including nearly 858 000 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). Conflict and civil insecurity persist in northern states, severely disrupting livelihoods and markets, and causing the internal displacement of 3.5 million people, with particular concern for households in inaccessible areas. Nationwide, floods affected about 403 000 people in 2025, and macroeconomic challenges have further aggravated acute food insecurity.
Economic downturn, floods, civil insecurity
- About 7.55 million people, 53 percent of the analysed population, are estimated to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse levels of acute food insecurity during the lean season between April and July 2026, including 28 000 people facing IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe) levels of acute food insecurity. The situation reflects livelihood losses due to recurrent floods, a deepening economic crisis resulting in soaring food prices and increasing insecurity.
Conflict
- No recent data on acute food insecurity are available. However, high levels of severe acute food insecurity are likely to persist due to the ongoing conflict, which has disrupted livelihoods and markets, resulting in staple food shortages in some localities, while humanitarian assistance remains limited. Concerns also remain for acute food insecurity among displaced populations, including 43 400 refugees and asylum seekers hosted in the country as of January 2026, as well as for people affected by localized flooding in 2025.
Civil insecurity, high food prices
- According to the April 2025 CH analysis, about 2.6 million people were estimated to be facing severe acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between June and August 2025, including over 300 000 in CH Phase 4 (Emergency), as a result of the effects of the conflict, sociopolitical unrest and high food prices, as well as floods that caused population displacements and agricultural damage and losses.
High food prices, adverse weather
- Between October 2025 and March 2026, almost 259 000 people were expected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above), moderately down from the figure in the same period in 2024/25. A promising outlook for agricultural production in 2026 is likely to boost domestic food supply and narrow the food gaps for vulnerable households dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
Adverse weather, floods
- Nearly 1.5 million people faced severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including about 53 900 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). Pest outbreaks and adverse weather conditions caused crop losses in several areas in 2025. In addition, flooding affected 60 000 people, destroying dwellings, disrupting livelihoods and triggering displacement.
High food prices, localized shortfalls in agricultural production
- Between October 2025 and March 2026, about 334 000 people are expected to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above), a decline compared to the same period in 2024/25. High food prices and localized weather‑related production losses continue to constrain food access and availability for affected households.
Adverse weather
- Over 418 000 people were estimated to face severe acute food insecurity (CH Phase 3 [Crisis]) between October and December 2025, mainly due to extreme weather events, including floods and windstorms, and pest and disease outbreaks, which resulted in localized crop losses.
Localized conflict, economic and political instability, high food prices
- As of January 2026, more than 514 000 Sudanese refugees have arrived in the country since April 2023. Ongoing humanitarian aid, including water, food, shelter and health services, will remain essential to prevent the deterioration of food security conditions.
Adverse weather, high food prices
- The latest IPC analysis projects that 1.8 million people will face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) levels of acute food insecurity between February and April 2026 (the peak lean season), an unchanged prevalence compared to the previous year. The effects of recent cyclones, flooding and persisting dry conditions in the south in early 2026, where acute food insecurity remains most concentrated, are likely to be key stressors.
Conflict
- About 856 000 people were facing severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including about 30 100 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). Humanitarian needs remain high in conflict-affected northern and central areas, while violence continues to spread to other regions, with attacks on industrial facilities and fuel tanker convoys disrupting economic activities and constraining the delivery of humanitarian assistance. Concerns persist regarding the food security situation of displaced populations, including about 415 000 IDPs and over 182 000 refugees and asylum seekers, as well as people affected by localized floods in 2025.
Insecurity in northern areas, adverse extremes
- Nearly 2.7 million people were estimated to face acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] levels and above) between October 2025 and March 2026, including 170 000 people in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency). The largest share of this population is in northern provinces, especially Cabo Delgado, where the conflict continues to disrupt livelihoods. Flooding in southern and some central areas in early 2026 has amplified immediate humanitarian needs and, where extensive crop losses have occurred, could aggravate acute food insecurity this year.
Adverse weather, constrained income levels
- The number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis]) in 2025/26 has fallen to 611 900, half the number compared to 2024/25. The improvement is mainly driven by an upturn in agricultural production. With agricultural production expected to remain at above-average levels in 2026, conditions may improve further this year.
Adverse weather, floods
- About 504 000 people faced severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including approximately 13 300 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). These conditions reflect below-average cereal production in 2025, mainly due to a reduction in the area planted. Rainfall deficits and floods disrupted livelihoods and affected production in localized agropastoral areas.
Adverse weather, macroeconomic challenges
- Nearly 999 000 people were estimated to be facing severe acute food insecurity between October and December 2025, including about 65 100 people in CH Phase 4 (Emergency). This situation mainly reflects localized shortfalls in agricultural production due to adverse weather conditions, including flooding. Furthermore, despite substantial declines in inflation rates, prices of staple foods remained elevated in late 2025, and, combined with low purchasing power, constrained households’ access to food.
Weather extremes, insecurity, high food prices
- According to the latest IPC analysis, conducted in refugee settlements, about 712 000 people (37 percent of the analysed population) were facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between August 2025 and February 2026. These conditions reflect limited access to land for cultivation and agricultural inputs, funding shortfalls resulting in reduced humanitarian assistance, limited income sources constraining economic access to food.
Adverse weather, high food prices
- According to the latest IPC analysis, conducted in 16 districts of mainland Tanzania, 242 000 people (5 percent of the analysed population) were projected to face severe acute food insecurity between June and October 2025.
- The main drivers are a shortfall in crop production in 2024, due to adverse weather conditions and outbreaks of pests and diseases, and high food prices.
Adverse weather
- Driven by a steep increase in agricultural production and lower prices of key staple foods, the number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis]) has fallen to 1.7 million in 2025/26 (October–March), down from the 5.8 million in 2024/25. With a positive agricultural production outlook for 2026 and moderating food prices, conditions may improve further this year.
High food prices, adverse weather
- Food price inflation has eased considerably since peaking in mid-2025 and, given expectations of a likely second consecutive above-average harvest in 2026, there may be improvements in acute food insecurity in 2026.
Conflict, protracted economic crisis
- According to the latest IPC analysis, about 874 000 people, including Lebanese residents and refugees, were projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse between November 2025 and March 2026, as conflict-related damage to infrastructure and agriculture, displaced populations and exacerbated the economic crisis which continues to constrain livelihoods.
Conflict, economic collapse
- Referring to the latest IPC analysis, in the Gaza Strip, about 1.6 million people faced IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) or worse between mid-October and November 2025, including over 500 000 in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 104 000 in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe). Severe food insecurity is projected to persist through April 2026, amid constrained humanitarian access, damages to infrastructure and food systems, and market disruptions.
Domestic unrest, economic crisis, adverse weather
- According to the 2025 Food Security Assessment,v food security improved in some governorates, including Tartous and Damascus, but remained poor in conflict- and drought-affected areas such as Raqqa, Al Hasakeh and As Suwayda. The severe drought in 2025 reduced agricultural production and adversely impacted livelihoods, limiting household incomes and access to food.
Economic deterioration, localized conflict, adverse weather
- Food insecurity is expected to worsen, amid the ongoing local conflict, economic downturn and reduced agricultural production, which undermine livelihoods. According to the latest IPC analysis, about 18.1 million people were projected to face IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and above between September 2025 and February 2026. This includes about 5.5 million people classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and more than 41 000 in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe), mainly in areas controlled by Sana’a-Based Authorities.
Economic slowdown, earthquake, reduction in humanitarian funding
- The latest IPC analysis indicates that 17.4 million people, 40 percent of the analysed population, were facing IPC Phase 3 (Crisis) and IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) levels of acute food insecurity between November 2025 and March 2026. This situation is attributed to persistent economic challenges that are contributing to high unemployment rates and limited livelihood opportunities, and severe humanitarian funding shortfalls. As of mid-December 2025, about 2.8 million Afghans returned to the country, mainly from Pakistan and the Islamic Republic of Iran, following intensified deportations of foreign nationals without valid documentation.
Economic constraints, weather extremes
- According to the IPC analysis, about 16 million people were projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) from May to December 2025, mainly due to the negative effects of floods and Cyclone Remal (which made landfall in 2024) on livelihoods, and persistent macroeconomic difficulties. About 1.3 million displaced Myanmar nationals reside in the country, mainly in Cox’s Bazar District.
Conflict, economic constraints, weather extremes, high food prices
- According to the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP), about 8.5 million people (15 percent of the population) are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity in 2026, mostly due to the protracted conflict, which continues to limit livelihood opportunities and constrain the delivery of humanitarian assistance, persistent macroeconomic challenges, elevated domestic food prices and the lingering impact of the powerful earthquake that struck central parts of the country in March 2025. According to the latest figures (January 2026) from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR),vi the number of IDPs is estimated at about 3.7 million. Most of the IDPs are located in Rakhine, Chin, Kachin, Kayin and Shan states.
High food prices
- According to the latest IPC analysis, about 11 million people were projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity (IPC Phase 3 [Crisis] and above) between April and July 2025, mostly due to the negative impact of weather extremes, reduced livelihood opportunities and economic challenges. The severe floods in August and September 2025 that affected at least 5.8 million people, have likely further worsened the acute food insecurity conditions.
Gang violence, high food prices
- Widespread insecurity in rural and urban areas, high production costs and limited availability of agricultural inputs, continue to hamper agricultural activities and severely strain access to food. According to the latest IPC Projection Update, about 5.9 million people (53 percent of the analysed population) are projected to face high levels of acute food insecurity between March and June 2026. This includes about 2 million people classified in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) conditions. The migration crisis intensified food insecurity levels, with 1.4 million internally displaced people and 270 000 forced returnees facing severe access to food and livelihood opportunities.
Conflict
- According to2026 Ukraine Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (NHRP) UNHCR, for Ukraine, developed by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), about 12.7 million people are estimated to be in need of multisectoral humanitarian assistance in 2025, as a result of the conflict. As of June 2025, about 3.7 million people were estimated to be displaced in the country.
Note: Due to outdated information on acute food security conditions, the following countries have been removed from the list since the last edition of the report in March 2025: Congo, Eritrea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela. Monitoring and assessments will continue and these countries could be re-included based on updated data and analysis.