Thursday, June 11, 2026 - The ripple effects of the ongoing conflict involving Iran are increasing the risk of acute hunger for millions of vulnerable people around the world, according to the World Food Programme (WFP).
WFP Acting Executive Director Carl Skau warned that the
closure of the Strait of Hormuz has sharply increased global fuel costs, making
humanitarian operations significantly more expensive while also driving up food
prices worldwide.
The disruption has also affected the movement of vital
agricultural supplies, including fertilisers from the Gulf region, which are
needed for crop production in countries such as Sudan.
The situation is placing additional pressure on an
organization already struggling with severe funding shortages.
“In many places, we’re already taking from the hungry to
give to the starving,” Skau said.
The WFP, which relies on donations from governments, has
experienced a substantial decline in funding, including from its largest donor,
the United States. As of June 2026, U.S. contributions stood at approximately
$731 million, compared to more than $4 billion in 2024.
Skau explained that rising food prices have devastating
consequences in poorer countries.
“When the price of food goes up 20 to 30 percent, people
simply eat 20 to 30 percent less,” he said.
Earlier this year, the WFP warned that an additional 45
million people could face acute hunger if oil prices remained above $100 per
barrel. The organisation says the effects are already being felt in countries
such as Afghanistan, Somalia and Sri Lanka.
Even if the Strait of Hormuz reopens soon, Skau believes the
impact of the disruption will continue for months.
“It’s going to take time to recover,” he said.
“We hope this conflict ends and the strait opens tomorrow.
But it is clear that wealthy countries need to step up and help mitigate the
impact of this crisis on the most vulnerable populations.”
Funding cuts have severely affected the WFP’s ability to respond to growing humanitarian needs around the world. Unlike previous global crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine, contributions have not increased despite worsening conditions.
According to Skau, the organization suffered a 40 percent decline in funding last year alone.
The challenges come as humanitarian needs continue to rise
globally. Sudan is facing one of the world’s worst hunger crises, with around
20 million people experiencing food insecurity. Lebanon and Ukraine also
continue to face significant humanitarian pressures due to ongoing conflicts.
In South Sudan, some famine-affected communities can only be
reached by air, forcing aid workers to make difficult decisions about where
limited resources should be allocated.
“If we continue the air bridge, it consumes resources to the
point where we cannot adequately address other emergency situations,” Skau
said.
He also described difficult choices facing aid workers in
Afghanistan, where resources are no longer sufficient to support all vulnerable
families.
“We are having conversations about who can receive
assistance and who cannot. Those are choices we never imagined having to make,”
he said
Although the United States remains the WFP’s largest donor,
Skau said more support is needed from both Washington and other wealthy
nations.
“We are grateful for the support we receive, but we also
hope countries can do more,” he said.
He stressed that addressing hunger is not only a
humanitarian responsibility but also a matter of global stability.
A hungry world is an unstable world,” Skau said.
“I believe there is broad agreement that children should not
go to bed hungry and should not starve.”
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