By 2026 a staggering 318 million people would face crisis levels of hunger or worse, more than double the figure recorded in 2019, the food agency reported in its 2026 Global Outlook.

International support for the world’s hungriest people is “slow, fragmented, and underfunded,” meaning that many living in the world’s trouble spots will likely be unable to receive sufficient help next year, underscored, WFP.

“The poorest pay the ultimate price,” said Amina Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General. “When the elephants fight, it is the grass that suffers,” she added, quoting an African proverb that is often used to convey the idea that when powerful nations, organizations, or individuals, engage in conflict, it is the weak or innocent who bear the brunt of the suffering.

Around the world, that “grass” — the innocent civilians of Sudan, Gaza, Haiti, Yemen, the Sahel, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and so many other places — are suffering beyond measure.

Families are paying the price for wars they did not start, and for decisions made in rooms where their voices are never heard, the UN deputy chief said.

WFP, a critical lifeline

“WFP provides a critical lifeline to people on the frontlines of conflicts and weather disasters, as well as those forced to leave their homes, and we are transforming how we work to invest in long-term solutions to address food insecurity,” said WFP Executive Director Cindy McCain.

In 2026, the agency plans to assist 110 million vulnerable people at an estimated cost of $13 billion, providing emergency food, nutrition support, community resilience programmes, and technical assistance to strengthen national systems.

“The world is grappling with simultaneous famines in Gaza and parts of Sudan. This is completely unacceptable in the twenty-first century,” stressed Ms. McCain.

“Across the globe, hunger is becoming more entrenched. WFP has proven time and again that early, effective, and innovative solutions can save lives and change lives – but we desperately need more support to continue this vital work”.

Investing in climate adaptation, promoting peace, and supporting local markets, while ensuring women and young people have ownership and decision-making power, are among the key priorities crucial to ending world hunger, said Amina Mohammed. 
 

That’s according to Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq, who told journalists in New York that it was “essential now to translate the diplomatic momentum into concrete and urgently needed steps on the ground.”

Although the UN has no defined role in either finalizing the Board of Peace chaired by President Trump – which will oversee the transition and reconstruction of Gaza – or the planned stabilization force, Mr. Haq said the UN was “committed to implementing the roles entrusted to it in the resolution.”

Aid provider

It is tasked with scaling up humanitarian assistance for stricken civilians across the Strip following more than two years of war between Hamas and Israeli forces “and supporting all efforts to move the parties toward the next phase of the ceasefire.”

The Council endorsed the US peace plan and a temporary international force for Gaza by 13-0 on Monday, with Russia and China abstaining.

For a recap, see our story here, and an in-depth report from our meetings coverage section, here.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the resolution as an important step in consolidating the ceasefire, underlining the importance of moving towards the second phase of the US plan – which includes a political process for the achieving a two-State solution, in line with previous UN resolutions.

Delivery continues

On the ground in Gaza on Tuesday, the UN aid coordination office, OCHA, stressed humanitarians in the enclave remain committed to providing life-saving support – including shelter.

Tent distribution continues along with tarpaulins and other essential items to affected families.

The UN is fast-tracking funds to bolster those efforts, said Mr. Haq, including $18 million from the occupied Palestinian territory Humanitarian Fund, as winter approaches and heavy rains begin to compound dire living conditions.

The funding has already allowed partners to move ahead with more than 30 planned projects covering everything from food and nutrition to water, health, shelter, protection and other essential support.

As of Sunday, the number of operational health service points in Gaza rose to 219, compared with fewer than 200 in October. 

“We’re very optimistic that the peace plans will improve the situation,” UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) spokesperson Ricardo Pires said, briefing reporters in Geneva on Tuesday. “But again, the reality for children on the ground continues to be very tragic.”

“We’re still in the hypotheticals,” UN aid coordination office (OCHA) spokesperson Jens Laerke said, regarding the Security Council resolution on the US peace plan, stressing that it “needs some meat on the bones”, but recalling the UN chief’s backing for the development.

The resolution endorsing the “Comprehensive Plan to End the Gaza Conflict” announced by US President Trump on 29 September received backing from 13 countries on the Security Council. China and Russia abstained from the vote.

Catch up on our full coverage of the Security Council resolution here.

A Board of Peace

The resolution welcomes the transitional administration known as the “Board of Peace” – which President Donald Trump will reportedly chair – to establish a temporary international force in Gaza and coordinate reconstruction efforts including the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson overnight, the UN Secretary-General encouraged respect for the fragile ceasefire by all parties to the conflict, which was sparked by Hamas-led terror attacks in Israel on 7 October 2023.

Mr. Guterres acknowledged the “continued diplomatic efforts” of Egypt, Qatar, Türkiye, the United States and regional neighbours regarding the Gaza crisis, before stressing the importance of “moving towards” the second phase of the U.S. Plan, “leading to a political process for the achievement of the two-State solution, in line with previous United Nations resolutions”.

Exposed to more hardship

Meanwhile in Gaza, aid agencies stressed on Tuesday that more than two years of destructive war between Hamas fighters and Israel and a chronic lack of all forms of assistance have left the enclave’s people exhausted.

In recent days, heavy rains have inundated worn-out tents that are sheltering people displaced multiple times because of the war, said Ricardo Pires, from the UN Children’s Fund, UNICEF.

“We are seeing heartbreaking stories of desperate families feeling completely lost and exhausted after their tents got flooded,” he told journalists in Geneva. “When children are sleeping in flooded tents without warm clothing or dry bedding, many lacking the required nutrition, with very low immunity and already traumatized by conflict, winter becomes extremely dangerous.”

Mr. Pires noted that the recent bad weather in Gaza has sparked an increase in people seeking medical help – particularly among children weakened by “years of malnutrition, starvation, trauma (and) multiple displacements”.

The UNICEF officer also explained that because Israeli forces occupy more than 50 per cent of the enclave, many of the areas where Palestinians have been forced to seek shelter are coastal and the most prone to flooding.

Zikim aid boost

In a call for greater aid access, he stressed this was “part of the [peace] deal and we need to see more humanitarian corridors open”.

According to OCHA, more than 5,400 metric tonnes of aid were collected between Thursday and Sunday, including shelter, medical and food items. The Zikim border crossing has reopened after staying shut for two months, bringing the number of available crossings to three.

Mr. Pires highlighted the importance of Zikim opening and said that recently UNICEF managed to bring in 96 pallets of high energy biscuits destined for the famine-stricken north of Gaza.

“We need more, a lot more,” he said. “Hopefully with the new plan, that will become a reality for children and families.”