The world is facing its largest humanitarian crisis since 1945, according to the United Nations.

“We stand at a critical point in history. Already at the beginning of the year we are facing the largest humanitarian crisis since the creation of the UN,” UN Emergency Relief Coordinator Stephen O’Brien told the UN’s Security Council last week.

While many countries worldwide face food security crises, with large numbers of people hungry and unable to find enough food, only rarely do the conditions meet the humanitarian community’s formal criteria for a famine, says the UN. The UN declares a famine only when the following measures of mortality, malnutrition and hunger are met: at least 20 percent of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope; acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 percent; and the death rate exceeds two persons per day per 10,000 persons. Other factors that may be considered include large-scale displacement, widespread destitution, disease outbreaks and social collapse. Currently five countries are facing or are at risk of famine—Kenya, Yemen, South Sudan, Nigeria, and Somalia. Here is what you should know about each of these countries:

Yemen

Number of people facing severe food insecurity: 14.1 million

Cause of crisis: Famine caused by armed conflict

What’s preventing aid: Continuing fighting, lack of rule of law, poor governance, and under-development. As the BBC notes, a naval embargo imposed by the Saudi-led coalition, fighting around the government-controlled port of Aden and air strikes on the rebel-held port of Hudaydah, have severely reduced imports since 2015.

UN assessment: “I continue to reiterate the same message to all: only a political solution will ultimately end human suffering and bring stability to the region,” said O’Brien. He also noted that with access and funding, humanitarians will do more, but cautioned that relief-workers were “not the long-term solution to the growing crisis.”

South Sudan

Number of people facing severe food insecurity: 4.9 million

Cause of crisis: Famine caused by armed UN officials have suggested the conflict that borders on genocide.

What’s preventing aid: Some  South Sudan government is blocking food aid to certain areas and that humanitarian convoys and warehouses have been attacked and being looted, either by government or rebel forces. UN assessment: “The famine in the country is man-made. Parties to the conflict are parties to the famine – as are those not intervening to make the violence stop,” said Mr. O’Brien, who called on the South Sudanese authorities to translate their assurances of unconditional access into “action on the ground.”

Somalia

Number of people facing severe food insecurity: 2.9 million

Cause of crisis: Famine caused by armed conflict.

What’s preventing aid: According to BBC news reports, people are so busy trying to survive that they are unable to earn a living by going to work, farming or looking after their animals.

UN assessment: “The current indicators mirror the tragic picture of 2011, when Somalia last suffered a famine,” said O’Brian, who added that a famine could be averted with “strong national leadership and immediate and concerted support by the international community.”

Kenya

Number of people facing severe food insecurity: 2.7 million, but could soon increase to 4 million

Cause of crisis: Drought associated with the ongoing El Nino weather phenomena.

What’s preventing aid: Government incompetence and an inflow of refugees from Ethiopia. ​UN assessment: “In collaboration with the Government [of Kenya], the UN will soon launch an appeal of $200 million to provide timely life-saving assistance and protection,” said O’Brian. But he adds that about $1.5 billion is required to provide the assistance needed across the region.

Nigeria

Number of people facing severe food insecurity: The estimated number of affected children is now 450,000, with 14 million people needing humanitarian assistance across the region.

Cause of crisis: Famine caused by armed conflict.

What’s preventing aid: Terror attacks byBoko Haram, lack of rule of law, under-development, and possible widespread aid theft. UN assessment: The UN predicts Nigerians likely will suffer "catastrophic" famine-like conditions caused by Boko Haram's Islamic uprising.

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Please pray for the United Nations and its aid efforts for these nations undergoing enormous suffering. Pray for the over 30 million people in these nations who are affected by severe food insecurity and for His provision of funding for food as well as for long-term solutions