Zimbabwe is no longer classified as a global hunger hotspot, according to a joint report by the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The development comes as the country recovers from the severe effects of an El Niño-induced drought.
The drought, considered the worst in four decades, had left around 7.6 million Zimbabweans in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. However, improved weather conditions and better harvests have eased food insecurity in Zimbabwe and other parts of southern Africa.
“Ethiopia, Kenya, Lebanon, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Zambia and Zimbabwe have been removed from the hunger hotspot list,” the report noted. The improvements were attributed to favourable climate conditions and reduced weather-related disruptions.
While the delisting is seen as progress, both agencies cautioned that these gains remain precarious. “These improvements could be quickly reversed if new shocks arise,” the report warned.
The report also highlighted ongoing and escalating hunger crises in 13 other countries. Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti and Mali remain the most concerning, while the Democratic Republic of Congo has re-emerged as a hotspot after a period of relative stability.
Other high-priority areas include Yemen, Myanmar, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Chad, Somalia and Syria. Many of these regions are experiencing increased humanitarian access challenges and funding shortfalls, which are worsening the situation.
South Sudan, in particular, faces multiple overlapping threats, including political instability, potential flooding and economic hardship.
FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu called for immediate action: “We must act now and act together to save lives and safeguard livelihoods. Protecting food production in even the harshest conditions is essential.”
WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain echoed the urgency: “We know where hunger is rising and who is at risk. Sustained investment in food assistance and recovery is crucial as the window to prevent deeper crises narrows.”
While Zimbabwe’s removal from the hunger hotspot list signals a notable recovery, the report highlights an alarming rise in food insecurity across conflict-hit and climate-affected regions. With countries like Sudan, South Sudan, and Yemen facing escalating crises, FAO and WFP stress the need for immediate, targeted support. Without swift international funding and humanitarian access, millions remain at risk of famine and displacement.
