In just the past few years, we have seen a dramatic increase in the number of people around the world who are trapped in food crises. Conflict, climate-related disasters and overall instability and insecurity are the main factors for why 124 million people in 51 countries were in food crisis in 2017, up from 108 million in 48 countries in 2016. This report builds on datasets and analytical approaches that were first introduced in World Food Assistance 2017: Taking Stock and Looking Ahead. This year’s report quantifies how short-term events and long-term factors influence the outbreak and intensity of food crises. Examining these phenomena through the lens of WFP’s food assistance expenditures sheds unique insight into both drivers and deterrents of food crises.