The ongoing conflict involving Iran is intensifying the risk of acute hunger for millions of vulnerable people worldwide, 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 globally.
Impact on Agricultural Supplies
The disruption has also affected the movement of vital agricultural supplies, including fertilisers from the Gulf region, which are essential for crop production in countries such as Sudan. This adds further strain on an organization already grappling with severe funding shortages.
“In many places, we’re already taking from the hungry to give to the starving,” Skau said.
Funding Decline
The WFP, which relies on government donations, 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. This reduction severely hampers the WFP’s ability to respond to growing humanitarian needs.
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.
Additional People at Risk
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 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 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.”
Global Humanitarian Crises
Funding cuts have severely affected the WFP’s response capacity. 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 organisation 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.
Call for More Support
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.”
