How Climate Change Fuels the Hunger Crisis
In regions across the world, the climate crisis is intensifying extreme weather events, from droughts to hurricanes to floods. These disasters not only disrupt daily life but also drive millions of people into severe hunger and poverty. In the midst of a global food crisis—unlike anything seen in modern history—climate change is exacerbating an already dire situation.
The Link Between Climate Change and Hunger
Rising global temperatures and shifting weather patterns are triggering more frequent and severe heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, floods, and hurricanes. In 2022, flash floods left one-third of Pakistan underwater, while prolonged droughts in the Horn of Africa pushed millions toward starvation. These climate shocks displace communities, devastate farmland, destroy livestock, and inflate food prices. For many, rebuilding after a disaster is nearly impossible before another one strikes.
Here are eight countries and regions experiencing the most severe impacts of the climate crisis:
- South Sudan – Floods & Drought
South Sudan is one of the fastest-warming regions in the world, with temperatures rising at two and a half times the global average. The country has faced four consecutive years of flooding, submerging vast areas and making food security a critical issue. Currently, 64% of the population (7.7 million people) faces severe hunger. While some regions battle flooding, others suffer from severe drought, leaving families dependent on wild foods for survival.
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has assisted over a million people in South Sudan, including flood-affected communities. In Unity State, women are turning invasive hyacinth weeds—known for blocking waterways and releasing methane—into sustainable cooking fuel.
- Madagascar – Cyclones, Droughts & Floods
Madagascar, one of Africa’s most disaster-prone countries, was hit by four tropical cyclones in 2022, destroying vital rice crops and leaving 270,000 people in need of urgent food assistance. Nearly 2 million people face severe hunger. In the country’s south, extreme droughts have left many to survive on locusts and wild leaves.
To combat climate threats, WFP is implementing nature-based solutions like reforestation. In 2022, 155,000 people participated in an asset creation program aimed at building climate resilience.
- Pakistan – Floods
Between June and October 2022, Pakistan suffered from record-breaking monsoon rains, affecting 33 million people and submerging 4.4 million acres of farmland. The aftermath saw food prices soar and hunger levels double, with 14.6 million people now facing severe food insecurity.
WFP is aiding Pakistan’s recovery by rebuilding flood protection walls and restoring groundwater channels to provide clean drinking water. To combat malnutrition, WFP also distributes fortified foods to children.
- Somalia – Drought
Somalia has endured five consecutive failed rainy seasons, leading to near-total crop failure and livestock deaths. Over 5 million people face crisis levels of hunger, with 200,000 at risk of starvation.
WFP’s anticipatory cash transfers and early warning systems help families prepare for future dry seasons, benefiting over 117,000 individuals in vulnerable districts.
- Sudan – Droughts & Floods
Decades of climate shocks and conflict have left Sudan among the world’s most vulnerable nations. Floods have disrupted planting seasons, while ongoing conflicts prevent families from accessing farmland. As a result, 15 million people suffer from severe hunger.
Despite security challenges, WFP has supported Sudan since 1963, working to enhance resilience and reduce malnutrition. However, recent conflicts have forced WFP to suspend operations in the country.
- Chad – Droughts & Floods
Chad faced its worst flooding in 30 years in 2022, affecting over 1 million people and devastating farmland. This came just months after the government declared a national food and nutrition emergency, leaving 2.1 million people acutely hungry.
To reduce environmental damage and improve health, WFP is distributing liquid petroleum gas as an alternative to biomass cooking fuels, which previously contributed to air pollution and deforestation.
- The Sahel – Droughts, Wildfires & Floods
Stretching across Africa, the Sahel region—including Burkina Faso, Niger, and Mali—faces rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and severe droughts. Nearly 13 million people in the region suffer from severe hunger.
WFP’s Greening the Sahel project is combatting desertification by restoring degraded land. By October 2022, over 390,000 acres of land had been rehabilitated, with visible signs of increased vegetation even from space.
- The Dry Corridor – Droughts, Hurricanes & Floods
The Dry Corridor of Central America—spanning El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala—is highly vulnerable to climate shifts. Prolonged dry spells and extreme weather have led to widespread crop failures, forcing many to migrate.
WFP is supporting innovative solutions like hydroponic farming, which allows farmers in El Salvador to grow fresh produce despite arid conditions. This initiative offers hope in the face of a worsening climate crisis.
Conclusion
Climate change is no longer a distant threat—it is a present crisis affecting millions. As extreme weather events become more frequent and severe, the world’s most vulnerable populations bear the brunt of the consequences. Addressing hunger and climate resilience must go hand in hand to ensure a sustainable future for all.
