The World’s Food Aid Hotspots

With global food security under pressure in 2026 due to geopolitical tensions and disrupted trade routes, food aid continues to play a vital role. According to OECD data, support from the Development Assistance Committee (DAC), which comprises 33 member countries, is largely directed toward a limited number of vulnerable and crisis-affected regions.

Sub-Saharan Africa stands out as the primary recipient, receiving around $4.4 billion in food aid over the latest five-year period available (2019–2023), far exceeding all other regions. Within the region, countries such as Ethiopia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan and South Sudan account for a significant share, reflecting the combined impact of conflict, climate shocks and economic instability.

The Middle East and North Africa rank second, with roughly $963 million in aid between 2019 and 2023, a large portion of which is directed to Yemen alone. Ongoing conflicts and humanitarian crises in the region continue to drive high levels of food insecurity, making it a key focus of international assistance.

Other regions receive considerably smaller amounts. Southern and Central Asia accounted for about $516 million, around a third of which went to Afghanistan alone, while the Americas received roughly $308 million and East Asia just $151 million. An additional $449 million was allocated to unspecified developing countries.