United Nations agencies have warned that rising levels of hunger and displacement are no longer just humanitarian concerns but are increasingly becoming serious threats to global economic stability.
The warning was issued at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, where UN officials stressed that food insecurity and forced displacement pose growing risks to global markets and economic growth.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) revealed that an estimated 318 million people worldwide are facing acute hunger, with hundreds of thousands already living in famine-like conditions. The agency cautioned that severe funding shortfalls are forcing it to reduce food rations and scale back assistance at a time when humanitarian needs are escalating.
According to current projections, WFP funding for 2026 is expected to fall to less than half of its required $13 billion budget. As a result, the agency would only be able to reach about 110 million people—roughly one-third of those in need. Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation, said hunger fuels displacement, conflict, and instability, which in turn disrupt the markets on which businesses depend.
“The world cannot build stable markets on a foundation of 318 million hungry people,” Dagash-Kamara said, noting that the private sector has a direct interest in tackling food insecurity. She urged companies to invest in supply chains, technology, and innovation to help stabilize fragile markets and protect workforces. WFP called on business leaders in Davos to keep hunger and food security high on their agenda and to support food-related technologies that improve efficiency and resilience.
Meanwhile, the UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also using the Davos forum to advocate a shift in how migration is perceived, urging political and business leaders to see it as a driver of economic growth rather than a burden.
“Migration is one of the most powerful drivers of development when managed responsibly,” said IOM Director General Amy Pope. “Mobility can unlock economic potential, help communities thrive independently, and provide lasting solutions to displacement, while respecting national sovereignty and human rights.”
The IOM said partnerships with private companies and foundations are already helping to advance this approach. These initiatives include the use of artificial intelligence to improve health screening, labour market policies, and programmes that support vocational training, entrepreneurship, and durable solutions for displaced populations.
At the forum, the agency is also highlighting the economic role of diaspora communities as investors and innovators. By channeling remittances and diaspora capital into business creation and digital financial access, IOM aims to open new markets, create jobs, and help communities become more self-reliant.
Other senior UN officials attending the World Economic Forum include the President of the UN General Assembly, Annalena Baerbock; the Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Ghebreyesus; the Administrator of the UN Development Programme, Alexander De Croo; the UN High Commissioner for Refugees, Barham Salih; and the Director-General of the International Atomic Energy Agency, Rafael Grossi.
