FEWS NET Relaunches Website and Updates Global Food Security Analysis with Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction

The Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) has relaunched its website and released an updated Global Food Security Update, providing critical analysis on acute food insecurity worldwide through September 2025. This relaunch coincides with the resumption of FEWS NET’s operations following a brief pause during a review of U.S. foreign assistance programs.

FEWS NET’s Role in Achieving Sustainable Development Goals

FEWS NET’s work directly supports several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly:

• SDG 2: Zero Hunger – by forecasting life-threatening food crises and informing humanitarian responses.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being – by addressing malnutrition and hunger-related deaths.
• SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – through monitoring conflict impacts on food security.
• SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals – by collaborating with governments, NGOs, regional institutions, and the private sector.

Key Findings from the June 2025 Global Food Security Update

1. East Africa: Heightened insecurity is a primary driver of acute food insecurity in South Sudan, northern Ethiopia, Somalia, and Sudan, with extreme hunger and malnutrition prevalent in North Darfur and Khartoum.
2. Refugee and Displaced Populations: Conflict and drought affect food security in Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya, Uganda, and Burundi.
3. Middle East and Afghanistan: High food assistance needs persist, with Gaza experiencing severe starvation and hunger-related deaths.
4. West Africa: Conflict, insecurity, and weather shocks increase food assistance needs in Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, and Nigeria’s North East region.
5. Democratic Republic of Congo and Mozambique: Conflict disrupts agriculture and economic activities, particularly in Mozambique’s Cabo Delgado province.
6. Haiti: Gang violence causes mass displacement, disrupting economic activity and food access.
7. Central America and Venezuela: Hunger is projected to worsen in the Dry Corridor and Venezuela from June to September.

Impact of Conflict on Food Security and SDGs

• Violent conflicts disrupt agricultural production, trade routes, and humanitarian access, undermining SDG 2 (Zero Hunger) and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions).
• Global escalation of organized violence affects nearly one in eight people worldwide, increasing food insecurity risks.
• Conflicts reduce grain exports and cause price spikes, disproportionately impacting low-income, import-dependent countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

FEWS NET’s Strategic Approach and Contributions

Since 1985, FEWS NET has integrated satellite technologies and local knowledge to provide cross-nationally comparable forecasts of food crises. Its unique 8-month projections and monthly updates inform humanitarian response planning, supporting SDG 2 and SDG 17 by enhancing global cooperation and preparedness.

U.S. Foreign Assistance and FEWS NET’s Role

• The U.S. government uses FEWS NET data to guide food purchases and distribution, supporting over 45 million people in 35 countries in 2023.
• In 2023, $2.1 billion worth of food commodities were purchased from American farmers to alleviate hunger globally.
• FEWS NET’s relaunch underscores the strategic and generous nature of American foreign assistance, advancing SDG 2 and SDG 17.

Future Plans and Commitment

• Regular monthly food security reporting will resume, starting with Key Messages for select countries in July 2025.
• FEWS NET will address data gaps from the recent service pause to improve forecasting accuracy and timeliness.
• The network remains committed to being the leading global provider of acute food insecurity analysis amid rising global insecurity.

Conclusion

FEWS NET’s relaunch and updated analysis highlight the critical intersection of food security, conflict, and sustainable development. By providing timely, accurate data and fostering partnerships, FEWS NET plays a vital role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in reducing hunger, promoting health, and supporting peace and stability worldwide.

Additional Resources

• June 2025 Global Food Security Update
• FEWS NET Official Website
• FEWS NET on LinkedIn
• FEWS NET on Facebook

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

1. SDG 2: Zero Hunger
   • The article focuses on acute food insecurity, hunger, malnutrition, and famine forecasting globally, directly relating to the goal of ending hunger and ensuring access to safe, nutritious, and sufficient food.
2. SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
   • Conflict and violence are highlighted as key drivers of food insecurity in multiple regions, linking to the goal of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies and reducing violence.
3. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
   • The article emphasizes collaboration among governments, NGOs, regional institutions, and the private sector to address food crises, reflecting the importance of partnerships for sustainable development.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 2 Targets:
   • Target 2.1: By 2030, end hunger and ensure access by all people to safe, nutritious and sufficient food all year round.
   • Target 2.2: By 2030, end all forms of malnutrition, including achieving targets on stunted and wasted children under 5 years of age.
   • Target 2.A: Increase investment, including through enhanced international cooperation, in rural infrastructure, agricultural research and extension services.
2. SDG 16 Targets:
   • Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere.
   • Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.
3. SDG 17 Targets:
   • Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships.
   • Target 17.18: Enhance capacity-building support to developing countries to increase significantly the availability of high-quality, timely and reliable data.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

1. Indicators related to SDG 2:
   • Prevalence of acute food insecurity and malnutrition rates in conflict-affected and drought-affected regions (e.g., South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Gaza).
   • Number of people receiving emergency food and nutrition assistance (e.g., 45 million people helped in 35 countries).
   • Food production disruptions and agricultural activity levels in conflict zones (e.g., Democratic Republic of Congo, Mozambique).
2. Indicators related to SDG 16:
   • Number and intensity of conflicts and conflict-related deaths (e.g., 11 ongoing wars, over 160,000 conflict-related deaths).
   • Geographic extent of violence and population exposure to political violence (e.g., conflict affecting 65% more territory, one in eight people exposed).
3. Indicators related to SDG 17:
   • Availability and timeliness of food security data and forecasts (e.g., FEWS NET’s 8-month projections and monthly updates).
   • Extent of partnerships and collaborations among governments, NGOs, and international bodies in food security efforts.

4. Table: SDGs, Targets and Indicators

Source: reliefweb.int