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Bangladesh Among Top 10 Worst-Hit by Acute Food Insecurity: UN Report

A new UN report places Bangladesh among the world's top 10 worst-affected countries by acute food insecurity, with nearly 1.6 crore citizens affected in 2025. The report warns that conditions are unlikely to improve in 2026 due to conflicts, climate shocks, and economic instability. While Bangladesh saw a 32% reduction in affected people from the previous year, worsening conditions among Rohingya refugees remain a concern. Globally, 26.6 crore people faced acute food insecurity, with conflict being the primary driver of severe hunger.

Key Points: Bangladesh in Top 10 Worst-Affected by Acute Food Insecurity

  • Bangladesh among top 10 worst-affected by acute food insecurity
  • Nearly 1.6 crore people affected in 2025
  • 32% improvement from 2024, but 2026 outlook grim
  • Rohingya refugees in Bangladesh face worsening conditions
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Bangladesh among top 10 worst-affected countries from acute food insecurity: Report

Nearly 1.6 crore Bangladeshis face acute food insecurity in 2025, placing the country among top 10 worst-affected nations, says UN report. Conflict and economic woes drive crisis.

"Half of the world's poorest people live in five countries, three of which -- Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria -- are in protracted food crises. - Global Report on Food Crises"

New Delhi, May 2

Nearly 1.6 crore Bangladeshi citizens faced high levels of acute food insecurity in 2025, placing the country among the world's top 10 worst‑affected nations, a new report has said, adding that conditions are unlikely to improve in 2026.

The report from Daily Star cited Global Report on Food Crises by UN agencies as saying that those 10 worst-affected countries are unlikely to improve in 2026 due to conflicts, climate shocks, economic instability and supply‑chain disruptions linked to the Middle East crisis.

These 10 countries accounted for roughly two‑thirds of the 26.6 crore people worldwide who experienced acute food insecurity last year.

Afghanistan, Myanmar and Pakistan, Bangladesh, Republic of the Congo, Nigeria, South Sudan, Sudan, the Syrian Arab Republic and Yemen are part of the list.

"Half of the world's poorest people live in five countries, three of which -- Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Nigeria -- are in protracted food crises," it said, adding that chronic economic weakness continues to erode resilience at both household and national levels.

Conflicts remained the primary driver pushing half of all people into severe hunger. UN Secretary-General António Guterres called for scaled-up investment in aid and an end to the conflicts driving the crisis.

Bangladesh however, saw some progress in 2025 as the number of people facing acute food insecurity fell by 32 percent in 2025 from the previous year.

The report also highlighted worsening conditions among forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals in two districts of Bangladesh, amid a fresh influx of Rohingya refugees, flooding and cuts to humanitarian assistance.

Over 39 million people in 32 countries faced emergency levels of food insecurity, while the number experiencing catastrophic hunger has surged ninefold since 2016.

Around 35.5 million children were acutely malnourished in 2025, including nearly 10 million suffering from severe acute malnutrition.

Acute food insecurity means one or more dimensions of food security, such as availability, access, utilisation and stability, are disrupted to a livelihood threatening extent.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohan X
The 32% drop in acute food insecurity is encouraging, but 1.6 crore people is still a staggering number. India's own PDS system has its flaws, but maybe we can share some best practices with Dhaka on food distribution. Supply chains in South Asia need to be more resilient, especially with the Middle East crisis affecting imports.
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Mark U
From an Indian perspective, this is a reminder that food security is fragile even for a country like Bangladesh that made huge economic strides. Climate change and conflict don't respect borders. We need more regional cooperation through SAARC or BIMSTEC to address this collectively. The 10 million severely malnourished children statistic is chilling.
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Siddharth F
Conflict is the primary driver – that's the key takeaway. The Rohingya crisis continues to destabilise the region. India has been providing humanitarian aid to Bangladesh, but we must also work diplomatically to resolve the Myanmar situation. Climate adaptation is equally critical – our Sundarbans region faces similar threats.
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Lisa P
I'm surprised to see Bangladesh on this list given its garment industry and remittance economy. But climate vulnerability is real – cyclones, floods, and rising sea levels affect agriculture severely. The UN report is right: chronic economic weakness is eroding resilience. A sobering read for all of us in the subcontinent. 🌾
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Ravi K
Honestly, India should proactively offer technical cooperation in sustainable agriculture and climate-resilient crops. Our NABARD and ICAR have experience that could help. The 32% improvement shows Bangladesh is trying, but they can't do it alone. Regional solidarity is the need of the hour. Jai Hind.

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