Middle East war deepens hunger crisis for millions, says WFP

The World Food Program (WFP) has warned that the ongoing Middle East conflict is pushing millions of people closer to hunger as rising fuel and transport costs continue to increase food prices, while funding shortages are forcing aid agencies to scale back assistance.

According to the UN agency, military tensions triggered by joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran in February have expanded into a wider regional crisis. The conflict has disrupted key shipping routes, including the Strait of Hormuz, forcing cargo vessels to take longer routes and significantly affecting global supply chains and energy flows.

In March, the WFP had warned that up to 45 million people could fall into acute food insecurity if oil prices remained around $100 per barrel through June. The agency now says that this warning is becoming reality as global crude prices continue to stay above that level. The WFP highlighted that vulnerable populations in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka are among the worst affected. These countries are facing rising fuel costs, sharp food price increases, income losses, and disrupted trade systems.

In Somalia, around 6.5 million people, nearly one-third of the population, are expected to face severe hunger in 2026. In Afghanistan, about 17.4 million people could be affected. The situation could worsen further, with millions more at risk if current conditions continue. The agency said both Afghanistan and Somalia depend heavily on imported food and energy, making them more vulnerable to global price shocks.

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The crisis is also unfolding amid a major funding shortfall for humanitarian agencies. The WFP said it may be forced to serve 1.5 million fewer people globally in 2026, with an additional 9 million people losing support if the situation persists for six months. In Afghanistan, rising fuel prices have increased aid transport costs by up to five times, while delivery times have stretched from 10 days to as long as 75 days as trucks are forced to use alternative routes.

In Somalia, soaring jet fuel prices have increased operational costs for the United Nations Humanitarian Air Service, which is the only safe way to reach remote and hard-to-access areas. The WFP warned that unless conditions improve, global food insecurity could continue to rise, putting millions more lives at risk.