UN Agency Alerts That Trump's War on Iran is Driving Millions Toward Hunger
On Friday, the United Nations World Food Program (WFP) issued a warning that the illegal US war on Iran is pushing millions of people worldwide into hunger.
A report released by the WFP highlights that the conflict, which has led to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz, is causing significant ripple effects. These include disruptions in fuel and food prices, income shocks, and interruptions in trade. The consequences are most severe in some of the world’s poorest countries, especially those dependent on imports from the Persian Gulf region for essential goods.
The report projects that in 2026, an additional 2.3 million people in Afghanistan, 2.5 million in Somalia, and 1.3 million in Sri Lanka will face severe hunger due to the conflict’s impact.
According to the report, “Extensive reliance on energy and food imports and external trade routes has made the studied countries vulnerable to the crisis.” In Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, and Somalia, the effects include supply chain disruptions and the transmission of higher global energy prices to domestic markets. Governments in these countries are also facing fiscal challenges due to reduced revenue from import duties and high public debt burdens.
The report further warns that the conflict is affecting WFP’s ability to operate effectively. It estimates that in 2026, the WFP will serve 1.5 million fewer people than initially planned. If the conflict continues for six months, over 9 million people could lose assistance due to rising operational costs and increasing local food prices, which also raise the cost of cash-based aid. Additionally, funding for WFP operations has declined.
The WFP analysis also raises concerns about political instability linked to rising hunger, noting an increase in anti-government protests in recent months as an indicator of growing public dissatisfaction.
