What Is Famine and Why Is it a Global Concern?
Right now, famine is already occurring in parts of Gaza and expected to spread in the coming weeks. Sudan faces one of the worst hunger crises globally. The mortality rates are climbing in parts of these countries, necessitating immediate intervention.
Below, we've included some important information that addresses additional questions about famine.
In Gaza, a mother holds her young child who has received treatment for malnutrition, as famine spreads across Gaza.
In Gaza, Save the Children provided vital support through breastfeeding support sessions, helping mothers like Radwa* to continue breastfeeding and care for their children. Although we were able to help baby Basma* this time, supplies of Ready to Use Therapeutic Food are now running out in the Gaza Strip.
What is famine?
Famine is the most extreme level of hunger. It means: Large numbers of people do not have enough food to survive. Many children are acutely malnourished. People are dying at unusually high rates.
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirms famine when all three are happening:
Food – At least 20% of households face extreme food shortages.
Nutrition – 15%+ of children are acutely malnourished (as determined by measuring their upper arms) or 30%+ are dangerously thin for their height.
Deaths – At least two people per 10,000 die each day from hunger or related causes.
In Baidoa, Somalia, nine-month-old Fawzia* is measured with a MUAC band that is used to measure the upper arm circumference of children to help identify malnutrition. Baidoa is home to more than 20% of all young children facing severe malnutrition and almost half (45%) of people facing catastrophic, famine-like conditions across the country.
When was famine determined in Sudan?
Famine was first confirmed in August 2024 in the Zamzam displacement camp in North Darfur.
When famine was confirmed in Zamzam, it was only the third famine determination to be made since the IPC monitoring system was set up 20 years ago, designed to trigger a response to prevent a hunger catastrophe.
When was famine determined in Gaza City?
On July 29, 2025, the IPC issued an Alert, warning famine was likely. This was not an official classification.
On August 22, 2025, the IPC officially confirmed Famine (IPC Phase 5) in Gaza City and the surrounding area, with famine projected to spread to Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis by September.
Does famine only exist in Gaza City?
Famine is officially confirmed in parts of Gaza City and the surrounding area, but conditions elsewhere are also severe and getting worse. In Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, famine is expected within weeks.
What is the food security situation in Gaza?
Famine is confirmed in Gaza City and the surrounding area.
The IPC was unable to make a definitive assessment in North Gaza, but noted conditions there are likely similar to or worse than those in Gaza City. By September, famine is projected in the two other populated regions of Gaza: Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis.
At least 132,000 children under five are at risk of dying from acute malnutrition by June 2026.
Nearly 55,500 pregnant and breastfeeding women need urgent nutrition support.
Save the Children clinics report child malnutrition rates nearly 7 times higher than in March 2025.
Has the IPC changed its famine criteria for Gaza?
No. The criteria remain the same as before. Famine is confirmed if nutrition, food, and death thresholds are all crossed.
Child malnutrition can be measured in two ways:
- Weight-for-Height (WHZ) – 30%+ of children dangerously thin for height.
- Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) – 15%+ of children with very thin upper arms.
Both methods are scientifically valid. In Gaza, MUAC is often used because it is quicker and easier in restricted conditions.
Where does IPC data come from?
The IPC uses data from partners like UN agencies, NGOs, and governments. Information may be public or internal but must be validated by IPC analysts before inclusion.
In Somalia, Casho* travelled on foot for two days and two nights with her seven children from their rural farm to Baidoa in search of food, water and medical treatment. Casho’s family used to grow crops and rear livestock, but they recently lost their livestock due to drought. Casho's baby, Fawzia*, is receiving treatment for malnutrition at Save the Children’s health clinic on the outskirts of Baidoa.
What is IPC Phase 5?
IPC Phase 5 is the most severe level of food insecurity. It is defined by starvation, destitution, and death.
What is the IPC?
The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) is the global standard for measuring food crises. It was created over 20 years ago and is used in more than 30 countries to guide aid decisions.
Why are children affected more by a famine than adults?
Children facing malnutrition due to starvation are much more susceptible to disease and illnesses such as dysentery, diarrhea, cholera, malaria, and pneumonia.
Without enough nutritious food to eat or the ability to absorb the right nutrients due to illness, children under five are at high risk of acute malnutrition which can lead to death - or if a child survives, can cause stunting, and impede mental and physical development longer term.
Famine conditions also make families much more likely to take drastic measures to survive, including marrying younger children off for food or money, or taking children permanently out of school to work.
Somaliland, a Save the Children nurse holds a baby boy in her arms.
A Save the Children nurse holds Abdi*, 17 months, in her arms. He suffers from severe malnutrition. A local health worker helped diagnose Abdi* and connected his family to a Save the Children health center where Abdi* received the necessary treatment.
What Is Save the Children Doing and How Can You Help?
Around the world, Save the Children works to support families with food, cash and supplies so children have access to nutritious food.
In Gaza, Save the Children has over 170 local, dedicated staff. They are witnessing—and experiencing—the effects of famine firsthand.
Learn more about our response in Gaza our response in Sudan, as well as our response to the global hunger crisis.
* Names changed for protection.
Updated August 22, 2025