WFP assessments indicate that 1.57 million people in Madagascar are currently food insecure, of which 84,000 face emergency conditions. That number could rise to 1.8 million in the coming months.
“Families tell us they have lost everything. Many are taking shelter in damaged homes or temporary sites, not knowing how they will access their next meal,” the agency said.
WFP faces a funding gap of $18.3 million for its emergency operations over the next six months. It has already reduced planned aid during the lean season to just 10 percent of originally intended beneficiaries, leaving more than half a million people without help at a critical time.
“This is not just a time for emergency response; we will need sustained support over the coming months to help people recover, rebuild and strengthen their resilience in the face of new crises,” the agency added.
Crises deepen humanitarian needs in Colombia
The UN, together with its partners and the Government of Colombia, has launched the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan 2026 to address the country’s complex challenges, including armed conflicts, climate-related disasters and migratory pressures.
Nearly seven million people – approximately one in eight Colombians – are expected to need assistance this year.
The conflict involving non-state armed groups, currently present in 60 percent of municipalities, mainly in rural areas, has caused forced displacements, confinements and movement restrictions.
Attacks on civilians increased by 58 percent last year, with serious violations affecting children including recruitment, sexual violence and attacks on schools and teachers. Indigenous and Afro-Colombian communities, particularly children in rural areas, have been disproportionately affected.
Climate-related emergencies have exacerbated the crisis. The recent floods in the department of Córdoba affected more than 150,000 people.
The 2026 plan seeks $287 million to help 1.2 million people. In 2025, only 24 percent of the requested funding was received.
Refugee women prepare food at a displacement site in Ouallam, in the Tillaberi region of Niger.
Using AI to predict climate-induced displacement in Africa
Millions of people around the world face the combined impacts of climate change and forced displacement.
With global temperatures expected to rise more than 2°C above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century, livelihoods are increasingly at risk, which could lead to more people moving.
While sudden-onset disasters such as floods and storms trigger immediate displacement, slow-onset events (such as drought, rising temperatures and rising sea levels) contribute to longer-term migration trends, especially in vulnerable communities.
To better anticipate these movements, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) has developed a machine learning model focused on East, Central and West Africa.
The model analyzes data from refugees and asylum seekers to help predict cross-border displacement linked to gradual climate impacts. Internally displaced populations were not included due to data limitations.
UNHCR said the initiative highlights the need for proactive strategies to address the growing intersection of climate change and forced migration.
Fuel shortage in Cuba affects essential services
After Hurricane Melissa hit Cuba last year, recovery efforts have been further complicated by fuel shortages, which have deepened power constraints and disrupted water supplies, health care and other critical services across the island.
“The Secretary-General has been following the situation in Cuba very closely and I can tell you that he is very concerned about the situation in Cuba, which is worsening as oil needs remain unmet,” UN spokesman Stéphane Dujarric said in response to a question at his regular news conference in New York.
“The General Assembly has consistently called for an end to the embargo imposed by the United States on Cuba. The Secretary-General would like to see all parties pursue dialogue and respect for international law once again.”
UN teams on the ground are working with the Government to help support humanitarian aid for the people of Cuba, Dujarric added.