The United Nations World Food Programme has issued a warning that approximately 55 million people in West and Central Africa are expected to face severe hunger during the June–August 2026 lean season, unless urgent action and funding are provided. This alarming projection comes as the region grapples with worsening food insecurity, driven by conflict, displacement, and significant cuts in aid.
Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon, and Niger are identified as the most affected countries, collectively accounting for 77 percent of the region’s food-insecure population. In Nigeria, around 15,000 individuals in Borno State are at risk of catastrophic hunger, known as IPC Phase 5, for the first time in nearly a decade. This development is attributed to prolonged insurgency and dwindling humanitarian support.
The UN agency’s warning indicates that over 13 million children across the region will likely suffer from acute malnutrition in 2026. According to the latest Cadre Harmonisé analysis, more than three million people are expected to face emergency levels of food insecurity, representing a significant increase from the 1.5 million recorded in 2020.
The reduced funding in 2025 has exacerbated hunger and malnutrition in the region, with the WFP’s Deputy Regional Director, Sarah Longford, emphasizing the need for urgent support to prevent further unrest, displacement, and conflict. The agency has been forced to scale back its operations in Nigeria, resulting in a drastic reduction in the number of people it can reach, from 1.3 million during the 2025 lean season to just 72,000 in February.
The situation is further complicated by conflict and economic pressures, which have fueled hunger in the region for years. Humanitarian organizations have expressed concerns over reduced foreign aid budgets, which have been redirected towards defense spending. The WFP has stressed that sustaining its efforts requires urgent financial support, with a need for over $453 million in the next six months to continue delivering humanitarian assistance.
Despite the challenges, the WFP’s interventions have delivered measurable results where resources are available. Land restoration programs in the Sahel have generated significant returns on investment, and the rehabilitation of farmland has supported over four million people. However, the agency emphasizes the need for a paradigm shift in 2026, with increased investment in preparedness, anticipatory action, and resilience-building to empower communities and reduce long-term dependence on aid.
