A total of 33 African countries are in need of external assistance for food, UN’s food agency warns.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations latest "Crop Prospects and Food Situation" report, published triannually, says planting of the 2024 crops is underway in North Africa, as well as Southern Africa where forecasts of El Niño‑linked dry‑weather conditions are weighing on production prospects.

The report warned that persisting and intensifying conflicts are key drivers of the severest levels of acute food insecurity especially in West and East Africa.