Three leading Christian organizations — the World Council of Churches (WCC), Caritas Internationalis (the Catholic Church's humanitarian arm), and World Vision International (WVI) — warned in an open letter on Monday that the current wave of conflicts and economic instability is pushing millions into severe hunger, even though global food production is at record levels. The faith-based organizations assert that “hunger amid abundance is a moral failure”.
“Today, hunger is not caused by a lack of food. The world continues to produce more than enough to feed every child, woman and man,“ the open letter said.
“Yet millions are being pushed deeper into hunger and malnutrition because of conflict, displacement, economic instability and climate shocks. Children and women are paying the highest price for failures they did not create.”
The organizations stated that this is not regional crisis not due to insufficient supply, but rather a profound "global food systems shock" created by geopolitical turmoil and climate disruption, which are plunging the most vulnerable communities into hunger and malnutrition.
Conflict as the main driver of hunger
In their joint statement, the groups identified escalating wars in Sudan, Ukraine, Russia and the Middle East as key factors exacerbating the need for humanitarian assistance. They warned that these conflicts are devastating local economies and destroying agricultural systems and infrastructure that are directly affected by violence.
“At the same time, disruptions to energy supplies, fertilizer markets, shipping routes and humanitarian access are sending shockwaves through global food systems, making food, fuel and essential goods more expensive and less accessible for vulnerable families around the world,” the organizations said.
These disruptions are already placing growing pressure on humanitarian and nutrition responses worldwide, limiting access to food assistance, nutrition and health services in some of the world's most fragile regions.
“Children, displaced families, and pregnant and breastfeeding women, among others, face the greatest risks from worsening hunger and malnutrition,” the faith-based groups noted.
The WCC, Caritas Internationalis, and WVI affirmed that access to adequate and nutritious food is a “sacred human right— inherent to the dignity and right to life of every person. “
“Hunger amid abundance is a moral failure. No one should suffer or die, especially children, because political decisions prioritize war, division and short-term interests over human life and the common good”, their letter said.
Call for policy change
The faith-based organizations are calling on governments, multilateral institutions, donors, and faith communities to prioritize peace building, diplomacy, and human dignity over militarization and division. They are also calling for the protection of humanitarian access and the upholding of international humanitarian law to ensure that food is never used as a weapon of war.
The organizations urge robust investments to safeguard child nutrition programs, treat stunting and wasting, maintain critical social safety nets such as school meals, and strengthen resilient food systems by protecting food supply chains, agricultural production, and humanitarian corridors.
Specifically, the groups urge governments to rigorously assess the potential impact of foreign policy decisions, including trade sanctions and security measures, on global food access and nutrition levels. They insist that diplomacy must always take precedence over military action.
“The global hunger crisis is not inevitable. It is the result of choices — and different choices are possible,” they said.
These calls come at a time of acute strain on the humanitarian sector. While global hunger has climbed to unprecedented levels—with an estimated 266 million people across 47 countries facing acute food insecurity in 2025—funding for food assistance has concurrently fallen sharply.
Pope Leo XIV shows solidarity amid rising global hunger
In a related development on Monday, Pope Leo XIV visited the Headquarters of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) in Rome, similarly calling access to food a fundamental human right. He urged the international community to renew its commitment and increase resources to combat hunger and malnutrition.
The Pope stressed that food security is an essential component of global security and raised concerns about barriers to humanitarian action worldwide.
“Consequences extend well beyond those immediately affected,” he warned.
“More than merely a humanitarian concern, hunger erodes social cohesion, heightens the risk of conflict and fuels forced migration.”
He added that hunger undermines the capacity of states and societies to build resilient institutions, provide effective education and foster sustainable economic development.
“In doing so, it perpetuates cycles of fragility that ultimately affect the broader international community,” he said.
Cindy McCain, WFP’s former Executive Director, stressed the human cost behind the data.
“Behind every number is a human being — a mother, a child, a family — facing the unbearable reality of not knowing where their next meal will come from.”
She noted that Pope Leo XIV had given a voice to the voiceless by reminding the world that hunger is a choice, not an inevitability, and that peace remains the ultimate tool to end it.
“Because where conflict rages, hunger follows. His presence here today is a profound act of solidarity with the most vulnerable people on earth, and a call to all of us to do more, give more, and refuse to look away,” she said.