The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) today issued a stark warning that acute food insecurity has tripled since 2016, declaring the current humanitarian response model is failing to keep pace with reality. In response, the agency launched its inaugural Global Emergency and Resilience Appeal, seeking $2.5 billion to aid over 100 million people across 54 countries in 2026.
Speaking at the launch, FAO Director-General QU Dongyu underscored the urgent need to redesign food crisis responses for maximum impact. The appeal places cost-effective, emergency agricultural assistance at the center of efforts to protect local food production and strengthen community resilience in crisis zones.
The initiative aims to correct a persistent imbalance in aid distribution. Although 80 percent of people facing severe food shortages live in rural areas dependent on farming, herding, or fishing, only 5 percent of humanitarian food-sector funding currently supports these agricultural livelihoods, trapping families in a cycle of dependence.
Director-General Qu noted that the appeal is a direct response to demands from young people in affected regions who seek “opportunity, not permanent handouts.” He described the new framework as “Member-driven, reality-driven, demand-driven and solutions-driven and most important cost-efficiency driven.”
By consolidating all humanitarian and resilience requirements into a single plan, the FAO aims to address immediate needs while reducing the likelihood of repeated, costly assistance in future crises.
The $2.5 billion appeal allocates $1.5 billion for life-saving emergency interventions for 60 million people, including seeds, tools, and cash assistance. A further $1 billion is designated for long-term resilience programs benefiting 43 million people, focusing on climate-smart agrifood solutions and infrastructure. An additional $70 million will support global services like food chain threat monitoring and anticipatory action coordination.
Evidence cited in the appeal shows that early investment in agricultural support is highly cost-effective, with every dollar invested capable of generating up to seven dollars in avoided losses and reduced future humanitarian needs.
Funding is targeted across global hotspots, with West and Central Africa slated to receive the largest share at $593.4 million. Significant allocations are also planned for Asia and the Pacific ($521.6 million), the Near East and North Africa ($519.1 million), and Eastern Africa ($471.6 million).
The FAO is urging donors and governments to invest in these proven solutions to help families withstand shocks and restore production. The Director-General concluded that the appeal reflects a “new, faster, leaner and more effective FAO,” committed to ensuring every contribution delivers maximum impact for the most vulnerable communities.