The UN is raising alarm as Middle East wars threaten to push millions of people into a famine crisis

The United Nations has issued a stark warning that a prolonged war in the Middle East could cause tens of millions of people to experience acute hunger, and dramatically worsen an already severe global food crisis.

Speaking on Tuesday, World Food Program Deputy Executive Director Carl Skau said the ongoing conflict – now in its third week – could have a devastating impact on global food security if it continues over the coming months.

“If the Middle East conflict continues until June, 45 million people will experience acute hunger due to rising prices,” Skau told journalists at a press conference in Geneva.

“This will bring global hunger levels to an all-time high, and that is a very bad prospect,” he added, noting that 319 million people already face acute food insecurity worldwide.

“It really takes this to another level.”

This warning comes amid rising hostilities in the region, including the conflict between Iran and Israel, as well as rising tensions in Lebanon involving Hezbollah, raising concerns of a wider regional crisis impacting the global economy.

Skau explained that the global food system was already under enormous pressure even before the latest violence.

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“Hunger has never been as acute as it is today,” he said, citing a combination of extreme weather events, ongoing conflict and famine conditions emerging in vulnerable regions.

He also highlighted a sharp decline in humanitarian funding in recent years, which aid agencies are struggling to cope with.

“At the same time, resources fell sharply from 2023 and 2024 levels.”

According to him, this situation has forced WFP to scale back operations and reduce staff numbers, thereby limiting its ability to respond effectively.

“We have basically reached the limit,” Skau said.

He further warned that Middle East conflicts significantly increase the costs of humanitarian operations, thereby increasing the challenges in providing assistance to those in need.

Skau noted that supply chain disruptions, rising fuel prices and longer delivery routes have made the agency’s job increasingly difficult.

WFP officials emphasized that without urgent global action, the combined impact of conflict, economic shocks and dwindling resources could push the world into an unprecedented famine emergency.