Climate change intensifies food insecurity across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe

A new global report has raised urgent alarms over severe drought conditions, revealing that tens of millions of people are facing acute food shortages and starvation. The study, conducted by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and global food security experts, highlights the escalating climate crisis, where prolonged droughts have devastated crops, dried up water sources, and pushed vulnerable communities into hunger.

Regions Hit Hardest by Climate-Driven Droughts:

• East Africa: Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya are facing multi-year droughts leaving over 22 million people food insecure.
• Middle East & Asia: Iran, Afghanistan, and Pakistan are struggling with agricultural losses and shrinking freshwater resources.
• Latin America: Central America’s “dry corridor” has seen worsening harvest failures, threatening rural livelihoods.
• Southern Europe: Spain, Italy, and Greece face record heatwaves and water scarcity, impacting food supply chains.

Key Findings from the Global Drought Report:

• 50 million people globally are at risk of famine or severe hunger due to drought-induced crop failures.
• Many countries face “flash droughts”, sudden and intense dry spells caused by climate change, leaving little time for communities to prepare.
• Water stress is worsening in urban areas, affecting both agriculture and public health systems.

“Drought is a silent killer, often overshadowed by floods or storms, but its impact on food systems and human survival is devastating and long-lasting,” warned WMO Secretary-General Petteri Taalas.

Urgent Actions Needed:

The report calls for:

• Investment in drought-resilient agriculture, such as drought-tolerant crops and sustainable irrigation.
• Improved early warning systems to help farmers and governments respond faster to changing climate patterns.
• International cooperation to address food shortages and water scarcity.

Drought & Global Health Crisis:

Drought-driven food insecurity contributes to:

• Rising rates of malnutrition and stunting in children.
• Increased migration from rural to urban areas.
• Strain on public health systems already stretched by heatwaves and disease outbreaks.

Source: The Guardian – Droughts worldwide pushing tens of millions to starvation, report warns