United Nations agencies have warned that escalating hunger and forced displacement are no longer just humanitarian concerns but serious threats to global economic stability.
The warning was issued at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where UN officials told political and business leaders that the scale of food insecurity and population movement could undermine markets, weaken supply chains, and deepen global instability.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) disclosed that an estimated 318 million people worldwide are currently affected by acute hunger, with hundreds of thousands already living in famine-like conditions. The agency cautioned that the situation is being worsened by severe funding shortages at a time when humanitarian needs are rising sharply.
According to WFP projections, funding for 2026 is expected to reach less than half of its required $13 billion budget. This shortfall means the organisation can only assist about 110 million people, roughly one-third of those in urgent need of food support.
Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, said hunger fuels displacement, conflict, and instability, all of which directly disrupt economies and global markets. She warned that sustainable economic growth cannot be built on widespread food insecurity, stressing that businesses are not immune to the consequences of hunger.
She urged private sector leaders to see food insecurity as a shared risk and a shared responsibility, calling on companies to invest in resilient supply chains, innovation, and technologies that can help stabilise fragile markets and protect workers.
The WFP also appealed to business leaders at Davos to keep hunger and food security high on their agenda, noting that strategic investments in food systems could reduce long-term risks to global trade and productivity.
Meanwhile, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) also used the forum to push for a shift in how migration is viewed globally. The agency called on governments and businesses to recognise migration as a driver of economic growth rather than a burden.
IOM Director General, Amy Pope, said well-managed migration can unlock economic potential, support development, and provide durable solutions to displacement while respecting national sovereignty and human rights. She added that partnerships with private companies and foundations were already helping turn this vision into reality.
The agency highlighted initiatives using artificial intelligence to improve health screening, labour market integration, and policy planning, alongside programmes that support vocational training, entrepreneurship, and self-reliance for displaced populations.
At Davos, IOM also drew attention to the economic role of diaspora communities, noting that remittances and diaspora investments can support business creation, expand digital financial access, and create jobs in vulnerable regions.
Several senior UN officials are attending the forum, including the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock; World Health Organization Director-General, Tedros Ghebreyesus; UN Development Programme Administrator, Alexander De Croo; UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih; and Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.
The agencies collectively warned that without urgent action and sustained investment, rising hunger and displacement could continue to erode global stability, deepen inequality, and threaten long-term economic growth.
