World Food Programme says Middle East conflict is pushing millions to the brink of hunger
6/5/2026 5:57:06 PM
A new study by the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) has found that the US-Israeli war on Iran has deepened food insecurity worldwide, leaving millions more people unable to afford basic food items as soaring energy prices drive up living costs.
The report published today found that an additional 2.5 million people in Somalia have struggled to meet their basic food needs since the war began three months ago. In Afghanistan, which borders Iran, 2.3 million people are on the brink of hunger, as are around 1.3 million people in Sri Lanka.
In March, the WFP warned that as many as 45 million people could be pushed into food insecurity if the conflict continued. With the war at times driving oil prices above $100 a barrel, the agency says that projection is becoming a reality.
WFP cautioned that conditions are likely to deteriorate further in the coming months, even if the conflict — which has since expanded into a broader regional war — begins to de-escalate.
The report published today found that an additional 2.5 million people in Somalia have struggled to meet their basic food needs since the war began three months ago. In Afghanistan, which borders Iran, 2.3 million people are on the brink of hunger, as are around 1.3 million people in Sri Lanka.
In March, the WFP warned that as many as 45 million people could be pushed into food insecurity if the conflict continued. With the war at times driving oil prices above $100 a barrel, the agency says that projection is becoming a reality.
WFP cautioned that conditions are likely to deteriorate further in the coming months, even if the conflict — which has since expanded into a broader regional war — begins to de-escalate.