cairo food security middle east north africa quickly deteriorate conflict several countries region unite nations say thursday hard hit crises syria yemen iraq libya sudan average quarter population undernourish u.n. food agriculture organization say annual report food security quarter yemen people brink famine several years proxy war iran-aligned houthis saudi-backed government president abd-rabbu mansour hadi cause one bad humanitarian catastrophes recent time report focus change food security nutrition across region since 2000. say undernourishment countries directly affect conflict gulf arab state north african countries include egypt slowly improve last decade worsen conflict-hit countries cost conflict see measurements food insecurity malnutrition fao assistant director-general abdessalam ould ahmed say decisive step towards peace stability need take several countries region erupt conflict follow uprise 2011 overthrow leaders tunisia egypt libya syria civil war also begin popular demonstrations kill hundreds thousands people make 11 million homeless food security middle east north africa deteriorate say u.n. agency