At the launch of the 10th Global Report on Food Crisis (GRFC), Cindy McCain – Executive Director, World Food Program (WFP) calls for collective will and funding to act – with aim to turn tide of hunger that seems now at its high-potential to fall into chaotic should there is no attention to act.
It is a fact that funding humanitarian response is not a charity. It is the smartest investment any country can make. It is security and the foundation of a stable world and these investments work. Every dollar invested in nutrition programs return $23 in economic growth. Every dollar spent on school meals return $35. With new partnerships and innovations, including artificial intelligence, we can predict crisis earlier, act faster and reach more people. Unfortunately, resources are critical currently. We need financing that is as bold as innovative as the global hunger crisis demands and we must prevent famines before they ignite and avert hunger before it starts.
Unfortunately, the facts show severe hunger is nearly doubled after a decade. This year, the findings are stark. The same countries appear year after year, trapped in cycles of hunger that the world has the knowledge and resource to break. Sadly, last year, for the first time in recorded history, two famines were declared at once in Gaza and Sudan. Both were man-made and should be avoidable once followed the tools available.
Now, the crisis in Middle East is real, it sends shock waves across global supply chains from Africa to Asia and beyond. Human cost is devastating with estimated 45 million more people could be pushed into hunger if this conflict rages on. At WFP (World Food Program), the shipping costs are up by 15 to 20% and the vessels are being rerouted to avoid risk and life – saving food deliveries are delayed as a result.
To conclude, as we’ve heard today, data underpins our understanding of crisis where budget shortfalls and access constraints are endangering our ability to reach and measure the effects of hunger on the most vulnerable. With thousands of hard-hit communities tragically hidden from the world. And yet, as needs continue to escalate, funding is collapsing. Humanitarians are forced to make impossible choices: who eats and who doesn’t? who lives and who doesn’t? I would like to make a simple appeal to not let the 10th anniversary of this report come and go without action. Let’s make this the moment turns the tide hunger.
Related Link:
Catherine Russell’s video presentation at the GRFC 2026 launch
Jozef Síkela’s video address to the 2026 GRFC launch
Barham Salih’s video address to the 2026 GRFC launch
Paschal Donohoe’s video address to the GRFC 2026 launch
Niels Annen’s video address to the launch of the 2026 GRFC
Cindy McCain’s video address to the launch of GRFC 2026
