Last summer, WFP stated that 42 million were on the verge of starvation, now the figure has risen to 45 million in 43 countries.
A large part of the increase is attributed to the situation in Afghanistan, where security problems have led to fewer deliveries of emergency aid.
Three million Afghans are threatened with starvation.
- Tens of millions of people stare down into the abyss.
We have conflicts, climate change and covid-19 that all contribute to the numbers above those in acute famine rising, says David Beasley, head of WFP.
"Families forced to make terrible choices"
WFP estimates that the monetary costs of avoiding a famine are seven billion dollars, equivalent to 60 billion kronor.
But the costs on the human level are far worse and many families are forced to make terrible choices, says Beasley.
- We receive reports from Afghanistan about families who are forced to sell their children in desperate attempts to survive.
In Syria, more than 12 million people are estimated to be on the brink of starvation.
Other countries where the situation is serious are Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, Angola, Kenya and Burundi.