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The United Nations has issued a stark warning that a prolonged war in the Middle East could plunge tens of millions more people into acute hunger, dramatically worsening an already dire global food crisis.
Speaking on Tuesday, the Deputy Executive Director of the World Food Programme, Carl Skau, said the ongoing conflict—now entering its third week—could have devastating ripple effects on global food security if it continues into the coming months.
“If the Middle East conflict continues through June, an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises,” Skau told reporters at a press briefing in Geneva.
“This would take global hunger levels to an all-time record, and it’s a terrible, terrible prospect,” he added, noting that 319 million people are already facing acute food insecurity worldwide.
“Really it is again taking this to a whole other level.”
The warning comes amid intensifying hostilities across the region, including exchanges between Iran and Israel, as well as escalating tensions in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, raising fears of a broader regional crisis with global economic consequences.
Skau explained that the global food system was already under immense strain even before the latest outbreak of violence.
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“Hunger has never been as severe as now,” he said, pointing to a combination of extreme weather events, ongoing conflicts, and emerging famine conditions in vulnerable regions.
He also highlighted the sharp decline in humanitarian funding in recent years, which has left aid agencies struggling to cope.
“At the same time, the resources fell sharply from 2023 and 2024 levels.”
According to him, the situation has forced the WFP to scale back operations and reduce staffing levels, limiting its ability to respond effectively.
“we are basically stretched to the limit”, Skau said.
He further warned that the Middle East conflict is significantly driving up the cost of humanitarian operations, compounding the challenge of delivering aid to those in need.
Skau noted that supply chain disruptions, rising fuel prices, and longer delivery routes have made the agency’s work increasingly difficult.
The WFP official stressed that without urgent global action, the combined impact of conflict, economic shocks, and dwindling resources could push the world into an unprecedented hunger emergency.
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