A Hunger Crisis of Historic Proportions
The Iran war is threatening to push the world's hunger crisis to a level never seen before, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday. If the Middle East conflict continues through June, 45 million additional people could be thrust into acute food insecurity, on top of the 319 million already affected worldwide.
WFP deputy executive director Carl Skau delivered the stark warning, saying that price rises driven by the conflict could create an "all-time record" for global hunger. It's a number that underscores how interconnected modern food systems are, and how quickly a regional war can ripple into global suffering.
How a War Drives Hunger
The connection between the Iran war and food security runs through supply chains, shipping routes, and commodity markets.
Since the US-Israel attacks on Iran began on February 28, shipping costs have increased by 18 percent. Key humanitarian aid routes have been choked or forced into costly detours. When shipping gets more expensive and slower, food prices rise, and the world's most vulnerable populations pay the highest price.
The disruption of the Strait of Hormuz has also sent oil and gas prices surging. Higher energy costs feed directly into fertilizer production, food processing, and transport, effectively taxing every step of the global food supply chain.
Who Is Already Suffering
The WFP's warning comes as several existing crises compound the threat. In Gaza, only around 200 trucks of aid are entering daily, compared to an estimated 600 needed, as border closures deepen shortages. Residents are stockpiling dwindling goods.
In Sudan, over 21 million people, nearly half the country's population, already face acute hunger, with famine confirmed in some areas where fighting has cut off aid access entirely.
Funding Cuts Make It Worse
The crisis is being compounded by declining donor support. As governments worldwide pivot to defence spending, WFP funding has been cut back, reducing the agency's capacity to respond at precisely the moment when demand is surging.
The 45-million figure is not just a statistic. It represents families, children, and communities on the edge. The WFP is calling on world leaders to pursue an urgent diplomatic resolution to the Iran conflict before a humanitarian emergency becomes an irreversible catastrophe.
Source: Al Jazeera
