The escalation of the war involving Iran could significantly worsen the global food situation. According to the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), if hostilities continue through June, an additional 45 million people could fall into acute hunger, ProAgro Group reports.
Strikes involving the United States and Israel on Iran, which began in late February, have already disrupted key humanitarian supply routes. As a result, critical aid deliveries to some of the world’s most vulnerable regions have been delayed.
According to WFP Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau, rising prices for food, oil, and shipping could push the number of people facing acute hunger to more than 319 million, marking a record high.
“This would mean an all-time peak in global hunger. The situation was already critical even before this war,” he said.
WFP also noted that shipping costs have increased by around 18% since the escalation began, with some routes needing to be rerouted, further complicating aid delivery.
The situation is aggravated by cuts in humanitarian funding, as donors increasingly shift resources toward defense spending.
The WFP warns that the combination of conflict, logistical disruptions, and economic pressure could trigger an unprecedented global food crisis in the coming months.
Earlier, it was reported that escalating tensions in the Middle East could increase production costs for Ukrainian grain due to higher energy and fertilizer prices, although risks to exports remain limited.
Source: Reuters
