Western and Central Africa
Western and Central Africa continue to face protracted insecurity and political instability, with conflicts in Central Sahel and the Lake Chad Basin (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Mali, the Niger and Nigeria), and persistent armed violence in Central African countries such as in the Central African Republic. The impacts of such challenges are compounded by climate extremes, disease outbreaks and economic crises, including due to the socioeconomic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extreme poverty in the region has increased and the combined effects of these factors have led to a deterioration of food insecurity and malnutrition, especially in conflict-affected areas. This includes the Democratic Republic of the Congo – still the world’s largest food crisis.
News
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News
FAO and WFP early warning report reveals worsening hunger in 13 hotspots; five with immediate risk of starvation
16/06/2025
Sudan, Palestine, South Sudan, Haiti, and Mali remain hotspots of highest concern, and Democratic Republic of the Congo has returned as a hunger hotspot...
News
Acute food insecurity and malnutrition rise for sixth consecutive year in world’s most fragile regions – new report
16/05/2025
In 2024, over 295 million people across 53 countries and territories faced acute hunger—an increase of almost 14 million people compared to 2023, while...
News
Desert locust movements in Northwest Africa raise concern amid spring breeding season
29/04/2025
FAO calls to enhance monitoring and initiate early control measures in affected countries
Publications
Publications
Chad: DIEM – Data in Emergencies Monitoring brief, round 8
07/2025
This Data in Emergencies Monitoring (DIEM-Monitoring) brief shares the results of the eighth-round assessment conducted in January and February 2025...
Publications
Burkina Faso: Project Highlights – OSRO/BKF/076/JPN
06/2025
The Government of Japan contributed USD 750 000 to improve the food security and nutrition and strengthen the resilience of 360 households affected...
Publications
Hunger Hotspots - FAO–WFP early warnings on acute food insecurity: June to October 2025 outlook
06/2025
In the current edition of a regular joint bi-yearly report, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the World Food Programme...
Multimedia
Photo Collection
Sierra Leone: Building resilient communities through climate-smart and market-driven production for improved
22/01/2025
View this gallery on Flickr
Photo Collection
Cameroon: Improving food security by supporting the productivity of smallholder farmers
19/05/2025
View this gallery on Flickr.
Photo Collection
Nigeria: DIEM-Monitoring Agricultural inputs survey, round 1
08/07/2024
View this gallery on Flickr.
FAO’s response to the post-ceasefire recovery in the Gaza Strip
28/01/2025
The 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip has resulted in unprecedented acute food insecurity levels, with communities on the brink of starvation. Over 2 million people need urgent need assistance. The ceasefire offers an opportunity to address the catastrophic food crisis. However, this is just the start of a long recovery journey from devastation, explains FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol.
Beyond metal silos – improving food security, nutrition and livelihoods
04/02/2025
Globally, about one-third of food produced roughly 1.3 billion tons annually is lost or wasted due to poor post-harvest handling and storage (FAO, 2019). Ethiopia faces similar challenges, with post-harvest losses ranging from 15-35 percent of total crop yields.
Safeguarding Bhutan’s Livelihoods: The Fight Against African Swine Fever
10/02/2025
First detected in Bhutan in May 2021, African swine fever outbreaks have affected pig farmers across multiple districts, especially in the south.
Reimagining the Future of Pastoralism - A Bold New Horizon for Resilience
06/02/2025
The Future of Pastoralism initiative represents a bold and transformative effort to secure the livelihoods of Somalia's pastoralist communities, which are vital to the nation's economy and culture.
FAO in Action: Helping Mongolia’s Herders Build Resilience Against the Dzud
06/02/2025
Mongolia’s harsh winter conditions, known as dzud, threaten the livelihoods of thousands of herders, leading to devastating losses in livestock. In response, FAO Mongolia has been working tirelessly to provide emergency assistance, strengthen resilience, and support long-term sustainability for herder communities.
Flood anticipation and response in the Logone Birni Subdivision, Cameroon
22/01/2025
In 2024, incredible floods in the Logone Birni subdivision caused excessive damage.
Empowering women through beekeeping in Bamyan province, Afghanistan
19/12/2024
In June 2024, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations FAO provided 200 women in Bamyan and in Kahmard district with beekeeping packages along with technical training.
FAO’s response to the post-ceasefire recovery in the Gaza Strip. Interview with Beth Bechdol
28/01/2025
The 15-month conflict in the Gaza Strip has resulted in unprecedented acute food insecurity levels, with communities on the brink of starvation. Over 2 million people need urgent need assistance.
Strengthening Social Protection for Inclusive Disaster Risk Management for Small-Scale Farmers
31/12/2024
Since the 1970s, the number of annual disasters has surged, causing severe agricultural losses and food insecurity, which challenge sustainable rural development.
All human beings are born with the right to adequate food
02/12/2024
This video highlights the universal right to food, a universal human right that ensures freedom from hunger and a dignified, discrimination-free life. It underscores the ethical and legal responsibilities of governments, organizations, and individuals in guaranteeing adequate food for all.
Major infrastructure investment helps pastoralists and locals share limited resources in the Sahel
12/12/2024
This video features Babacar Ndaw, farmer, breeder and President of a local “Pastoralist Unit” in central Senegal. He is responsible for the peaceful coexistence of breeders and farmers around his village.
FAO’s critical efforts to combat famine in the Sudan through agriculture and livelihoods support
02/12/2024
The video highlights FAO's efforts to respond to the hunger crisis in the Sudan and the threat of famine that looms over different parts of the country.
From Field to Certification: The Journey of Certified Wheat Seed
12/09/2024
66% of the daily caloric consumption in Afghanistan comes from wheat, which is a staple food. The FAO provides locally cultivated wheat seeds that have been carefully selected for their potential yield, disease resistance, and adaptation to local conditions.
Revitalizing Agriculture: The Success of Surkhrod Canal Rehabilitation
19/11/2024
The Surkhrod Canal, situated in Balabagh village, Surkhrod district of Nangarhar Province, covers 13.6 Km and plays a crucial role as an irrigation system. The canal benefits eight villages in the district, irrigating around 1,638 hectares of agricultural land and benefiting nearly 10,000 households.
Anticipatory Action in Viet Nam: Stepping up for drought-hit Ca Mau
25/11/2024
The project "Increasing Capacities and Scale for Anticipatory Action including through Social Protection Systems”, jointly implemented by FAO was led by the Viet Nam Dyke and Disaster Management Authority (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) with financial support from the European Union.
Boosting small businesses in Kenya through large-scale investment in farmer field schools
22/11/2024
This video features Esther, a small-scale farmer from Kitui County in rural Kenya. Esther raises poultry but faced challenges, including a high mortality rate among her chickens. Through her participation in a farmer field school, she engaged with members of her community and learned technical tips to boost her productivity.
Technical Cooperation Programme and Emergencies
20/11/2024
Emergency TCP projects support both anticipatory action and immediate responses to disasters and early rehabilitation measures through the timely delivery of essential agricultural inputs, services and training.
Farmers benefitting from high-yielding soft wheat seeds
25/08/2024
In light of the current economic crisis in Lebanon, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Lebanon, in coordination with the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) and the Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute (LARI), implemented a project funded by the Government of Japan.
Farm Business Schools: Empowering Rural Communities
10/09/2024
Lebanese farmers embarked on a journey of learning and growth through FAO's Farm Business Schools funded by the European Union.
Cultivating Resilience: FAO Iraq's Journey to Food Security
18/11/2024
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in Iraq is ensuring the right to food through resilient agricultural practices and innovative solutions. By cultivating seeds of hope and empowering communities, FAO is transforming lives through sustainable approaches, building lasting legacies of food security, and creating a more resilient future for all.