UNITED NATIONS (AP) — Nearly 282 million people in 59 countries suffered from acute hunger in 2023, with war-torn Gaza as the territory with the largest number of people facing famine, according to the Global Report on Food Crises released Wednesday.
The U.N. report said 24 million more people faced an acute lack of food than in 2022, due to the sharp deterioration in food security, especially in the Gaza Strip and Sudan. The number of nations with food crises that are monitored has also been expanded.
Máximo Torero, chief economist for the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization, said 705,000 people in five countries are at Phase 5, the highest level, on a scale of hunger determined by international experts — the highest number since the global report began in 2016 and quadruple the number that year.
Over 80% of those facing imminent famine — 577,000 people — were in Gaza, he said. South Sudan, Burkina Faso, Somalia and Mali each host many thousands also facing catastrophic hunger.
Missouri's GOP lawmakers vote to kick Planned Parenthood off Medicaid
Family pay tribute to 'vibrant and loving' mother, 25, found dead in car in Hackney
Erik Jones to miss Dover race because of broken lower vertebra
Analysis: Golf has two dominant forces in Scheffler and Korda. It didn't happen overnight
California Democrat wants to ban line
Supreme Court will hear Trump’s immunity claim. Here’s what to know
New Godzilla x Kong film continues to lead Chinese box office
Pentagon set to send $1 billion in new military aid to Ukraine once bill clears Senate and Biden
Josef Newgarden’s win in IndyCar’s season
Zendaya, Josh O'Connor and Mike Faist on the steamy love triangle of 'Challengers'