Amman, Jan 12 (Petra) - Cindy McCain, Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), warned of a worsening global hunger crisis in 2026, saying more than 318 million people face severe levels of food insecurity.

McCain said the WFP cannot end hunger on its own, noting that today’s crises require swift, strategic, and decisive action.

She called on world leaders to take urgent measures to end human-made famines, increase humanitarian funding, and address conflicts that lie at the core of worsening global hunger.

According to the WFP’s 2026 Global Outlook, 318 million people worldwide are experiencing crisis-level or worse hunger.

The programme’s early warning systems issue alerts about worsening food insecurity driven by violent conflicts, extreme weather events, and severe economic contractions, with hundreds of thousands already living in near-famine conditions.

//Petra// AF