Global Hunger Crisis Looms as Mideast Conflict Escalates

The ongoing conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran could drive global hunger to record levels, affecting 320 million people already facing acute food insecurity. The UN's WFP warns that economic disruptions might price families out of staple foods, with 45 million more at risk of hunger.

The world braces for an unprecedented hunger crisis, as escalating tensions between the United States, Israel, and Iran threaten to push global food insecurity to alarming heights. The United Nations' World Food Programme (WFP) has reported that extreme weather, conflict, and famine have left an astounding 320 million people facing acute food insecurity.

The humanitarian body issued a stern warning on Wednesday, highlighting that the ongoing war—now in its third week—is triggering rampant increases in food and fuel costs worldwide. These economic disruptions risk making staple foods unaffordable for families far beyond the immediate battlegrounds.

Deputy Executive Director of WFP, Carl Skau, conveyed deep concern during a Geneva press conference, noting that if Middle East hostilities persist till June and oil prices exceed USD 100 a barrel, a further 45 million people could be thrust into acute hunger as costs soar.

The crux of the crisis, according to Skau, is its disproportionate impact on the world's most vulnerable, who are already enduring harsh conditions. The agency struggles to support millions affected by soaring fuel prices and disrupted supply chains, with agricultural stability threatened elsewhere.

The conflict, sparked by US and Israeli military operations against Iran on February 28, quickly escalated as Tehran launched retaliatory actions, eventually involving Lebanon via Hezbollah support. The WFP is actively aiding impacted communities in Lebanon, requiring an urgent USD 77 million to sustain operations over the next quarter.

Skau described a dire scenario, with the agency's resources already cut by 40 percent last year, and the Middle East conflict exacerbating costs. Notably, shipping prices have surged by 18 percent amid increased fuel costs.

The ripple effects extend beyond immediate war zones, with disruptions to fertilizer exports through the Strait of Hormuz posing significant risks to sub-Saharan Africa's agricultural sector. Regions such as Somalia are inching towards famine, with two consecutive droughts pushing the WFP's resources to the brink.

Resource scarcity is forcing cutbacks in other crisis-hit regions, including Sudan and Afghanistan, where malnutrition remains rampant. Skau's urgent appeal underscores a critical need for countries to bolster humanitarian funding to avert a global humanitarian disaster.

(With inputs from agencies.)