The United Nations warned on Tuesday that if the Middle East conflict continued until June, an additional 45 million people may experience severe hunger, bringing the total to a "terrible" high. Now in its third week, the conflict has claimed hundreds of lives. Iran has retaliated against Israel and the Gulf countries, and Israel and Hezbollah have opened a front in Lebanon.
Carl Skau, the Deputy Executive Director of the UN's World Food Programme, stated at a Geneva press conference that "an additional 45 million people could be pushed into acute hunger by price rises if the Middle East conflict continues through June."
He stated, "This would take global hunger levels to a record, and it's a terrible, terrible prospect." Currently, 319 million people are severely food insecure, which is already a historic high.
"This is really elevating this to a whole new level."
Before the conflict broke out on February 28, Skau claimed the WFP was already dealing with a "perfect storm."
"Hunger has never been as severe as now," he claimed, citing conflict, extreme weather, and the declaration of famine in certain areas.
"The resources drastically decreased from 2023 to 2024 levels at the same time.
"We are basically stretched to the limit," according to Skau, who had to reduce staff and streamline operations.
He claimed that WFP's operations were "much, much more expensive" as a result of the conflict in the Middle East.
According to Skau, the agency was attempting to address supply chain interruptions, but its operating expenses had skyrocketed, primarily due to longer trips and skyrocketing fuel prices.
