Rising hunger and displacement pose growing economic risk, UN tells Davos
Ziggy Ojiegbe
As global leaders gather at the World Economic Forum in Davos this week, United Nations agencies are warning that rising hunger and displacement are not only humanitarian emergencies but growing threats to global economic stability.
The UN World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that about 318 million people worldwide are now facing crisis levels of hunger or worse, with hundreds of thousands already experiencing famine-like conditions.
The agency warned that deep funding shortfalls are forcing it to cut food rations and scale back assistance at a time when needs are surging. Current projections put WFP’s funding at just under half of its required $13 billion budget for 2026, limiting its ability to reach more than 110 million people, roughly one-third of those in need.
“Hunger drives displacement, conflict and instability, and these not only threaten lives but disrupt the very markets that businesses depend on,” said Rania Dagash-Kamara, WFP Assistant Executive Director for Partnerships and Innovation. “The world cannot build stable markets on a foundation of 318 million hungry people.”
Dagash-Kamara, who is attending the forum, said the private sector has a direct stake in tackling food insecurity. She called on companies to invest in supply chains, technology and innovation that can help stabilise fragile markets and protect workforces.
WFP is urging business leaders in Davos to keep hunger and food security high on their agenda, invest in supply chain systems that strengthen vulnerable economies, and support food-related technologies that improve efficiency and resilience.
The UN International Organization for Migration (IOM) is also using the Davos forum to push for a shift in how migration is perceived, urging political and business leaders to see mobility as a driver of 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.”
IOM said partnerships with private companies and foundations are already helping to realise that approach. These include the use of artificial intelligence to improve health screening and labour market policies, as well as programmes supporting vocational training, entrepreneurship and durable solutions for displaced people.
At Davos, the agency is also highlighting the role of diaspora communities as investors and innovators.
“By leveraging remittances and diaspora capital to support business creation and digital financial access, IOM aims to open new markets and create jobs while helping communities become more self-reliant,” the agency said.
Other senior UN officials attending the forum include President of the General Assembly Annalena Baerbock; World Health Organization Director-General Tedros Adhanom 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 Mariano Grossi.
