As many as 266 million people faced acute hunger worldwide in 2025, with conflict driving the most severe food crises, the United Nations World Food Programme has said.
The warning came as the organisation’s new Executive Director, Luke J. Lindberg, assumed office on Monday, calling on governments, businesses, institutions and individuals to support efforts to deliver food to people facing hunger before it is too late.
“Conflict is driving people into hunger, and extreme weather and maritime chokepoints exacerbate this reality,” Lindberg said in a statement announcing his assumption of office on the agency’s website.
He called for stronger global support for the WFP’s humanitarian operations, warning that the organisation could not sustain its life-saving work alone.
“Governments, institutions, businesses, and individuals need to stand with us, fund the work, and help get food to people before it’s too late. No more famines,” he said.
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The WFP said its teams currently operate in 83 countries where hunger threatens livelihoods.
Lindberg’s appointment comes as humanitarian organisations continue to grapple with food emergencies driven by conflict, extreme weather and disruptions to supply routes.
He succeeds Cindy McCain, who served as executive director from April 2023 to May 2026. Carl Skau has served as acting executive director since June.
Before joining the WFP, Lindberg served as Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the United States Department of Agriculture, the release noted.
He previously founded a public-private partnership focused on expanding international markets for the state’s exporters, serving as its president and chief executive officer.
He also served as chief of staff and chief strategy officer at the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
The WFP is the world’s largest humanitarian organisation, providing life-saving assistance during emergencies and using food assistance to support recovery from conflict, disasters and extreme weather.
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