Pakistan, Bangladesh among 10 countries most affected by hunger: Which other nations are on the list?

Pakistan remains among the 10 countries facing the world’s worst food crises as persistent poverty, climate-related disasters and declining humanitarian aid leave millions struggling to get adequate food, according to a report by the international aid organization Action Against Hunger, as reported by Dawn.

The report, Top Ten Global Food Crises, released ahead of World Food Day, estimates that 10.6 million people in Pakistan will need humanitarian assistance in 2026.

The findings highlight the challenges facing vulnerable households despite ongoing recovery efforts and improvements in some economic indicators.

Which 10 countries face the biggest food crisis?

The report identifies the following countries as experiencing the world’s largest food crisis:

– Democratic Republic of the Congo

Around 177 million people worldwide live in these 10 countries where hunger is particularly concentrated.

Acute hunger has doubled over the past decade and affects approximately 266 million people in 47 countries.

Why is Pakistan facing a serious food crisis?

In Pakistan, rising food prices, rising costs of living, unemployment, falling household incomes and economic instability have weakened families’ ability to afford basic foods, according to ANI.

Adverse agricultural prices have further undermined livelihoods, leaving low-income households particularly vulnerable.

As humanitarian funding falls short of growing needs, families are increasingly resorting to emergency measures, including cutting back on food, selling productive assets and withdrawing children from school to cope with financial pressures.

While these measures may provide temporary relief, they risk deepening poverty, worsening malnutrition and disrupting children’s education.

They can also leave households less equipped to withstand future economic and environmental shocks.

Limited health and humanitarian aid is exacerbating the crisis

Contributing to the food crisis is a lack of access to health care, nutrition programs, clean drinking water, sanitation and social protection, especially in rural and disaster-affected areas, Dawn reported.

As humanitarian resources cannot keep up with the scale of needs, vulnerable families face increasing difficulties in accessing basic necessities and rebuilding their livelihoods in the face of deteriorating economic conditions.

Read also | Global Hunger Index 2026: Pakistan ranks 106 out of 122

How climate change threatens Pakistan’s food security

Climate change remains a major threat to Pakistan’s food security. Repeated floods, drought, heat waves, flooding from glacial lakes and unpredictable monsoon rains have damaged infrastructure, reduced agricultural production and disrupted livestock-based livelihoods, Dawn reports.

These recurring climate change disasters are putting additional pressure on already vulnerable communities.

Pakistan was ranked 106th out of 122 countries in the Global Hunger Index 2026 with a score of 25.5, falling under the “severe” hunger category. The report, published by Welthungerhilfe, Ruhr University Bochum and Helvetas, pointed to worsening food insecurity caused by economic instability, climate shocks and global conflicts, Dawn reported.