World Food Programme chief says conflict drives two-thirds of acute food insecurity

28 October 2026

At a press briefing at United Nations Headquarters, the new Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Luke Lindberg, said ending conflict is the single most effective way to cut world hunger, because conflict drives two-thirds of the acute food insecurity now affecting 266 million people. He warned that El Nino could push 49 million more people into acute food insecurity and that supply chain chokepoints are making matters worse. His stated priorities are protecting staff, strengthening donor partnerships and steady operational improvement; he noted that more than 700 humanitarian workers have been killed in recent years. The agency is concentrating on Sudan, South Sudan and Somalia, and his first trip in the post will be to Sudan with the aim of ending famine there. He said hunger levels in Gaza are unacceptable while funding shortfalls are forcing the agency to cut back there. The United States remains the agency's largest funder and the private sector is now its fifth largest donor.