World Food Programme warned that oil price spikes driven by the Iran war have compounded food insecurity affecting tens of millions worldwide. Rising fuel costs increase transportation expenses for grain and other staples, pushing retail prices higher in import-dependent countries.
The WFP said humanitarian operations face larger bills for shipping emergency rations to conflict zones and drought-affected regions. Budget shortfalls force the agency to reduce rations or exclude populations when donor funding fails to keep pace with expense growth.
The Strait of Hormuz crisis has amplified price pressures by disrupting both energy and agricultural supply chains. Countries that subsidize bread and cooking fuel confront fiscal strain as import costs climb simultaneously.
WFP officials described a global hunger emergency worsened by overlapping crises including the Middle East war, climate shocks, and economic instability. The agency urged restored maritime access and increased donor support to prevent further cuts to nutrition programs serving vulnerable populations.
Humanitarian agencies operating in Yemen, Sudan, and Afghanistan reported difficulty pre-positioning food stocks as shipping insurance premiums rose through the Gulf. WFP executive directors have appealed to donor governments for supplemental funding to offset transport cost increases.
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Sources:
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/6/5/headlines