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Four wars and a drought belt squeeze the same hungry populations from Sudan to Haiti
Twenty-three countries sit in the most severe risk band today. A cyclone, Arnab, is the day's newest danger: 4.667 million people live in its damaging wind field (GDACS, as of 27 Oct 2026). In Sudan, the army's war with the Rapid Support Forces grinds on after the fall of El Fasher, with 33.7 million people needing aid in 2026 (OCHA). In Ethiopia, armed groups killed more than 60 Christians in a massacre reported by a church official (BBC, 21 Oct 2026). Yemen's displacement has passed 268,000 people as families flee by sea (IOM, October 2026). Drought now grips Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia and Haiti at once (GDACS, as of 24 Oct 2026).
These crises now worsen each other. The Iran war has choked the Strait of Hormuz to 3.7 ships a day, down from 73.7 a year earlier (IMF PortWatch, week 13–19 Oct 2025)(IMF PortWatch, week 12–18 Oct 2026), so Gulf food and fuel imports cost more for countries already near famine. Drought across the Horn of Africa and the Sahel cuts harvests that war and displacement would have strained anyway. In Haiti, gangs still hold most of the capital while drought deepens hunger. Agencies should pre-position food and shelter in the cyclone's path now, before roads flood. Donors should fund Yemen and Sudan appeals before winter cuts access further.
Watch items
- Yemen — More families attempt deadly sea crossings as displacement grows
- Iran — Strait of Hormuz blockade traps Gulf food and fuel imports
- Sudan — RSF advance from El Fasher threatens El Obeid civilians