WFP warns rising food and fuel prices risk pushing global hunger higher as humanitarian needs grow

Food security impacts:

• The conflict is already having immediate food security impacts in the Middle East. In Lebanon, significant internal displacement is occurring within a population that has been grappling with high levels of food insecurity for several years.
• In Iran, preexisting economic pressures are compounding the crisis. Economic stagnation, high food inflation, and rapid currency depreciation were already driving food insecurity prior to the current conflict, leaving households with limited capacity to absorb further shocks.
• In Gaza, border closures at the onset of the crisis triggered sharp food price increases. While some crossings have since reopened, food prices remain elevated, continuing to constrain access to affordable food.
• Beyond the region, the conflict is causing severe global supply chain disruptions with an unprecedented ‘dual chokepoint’ scenario for transport affecting shipping, energy, and fertilizer markets with clear knock-on effects. A significant share of the global fertilizer supply transits through the Strait of Hormuz; any disruption there risks reduced availability, lower crop yields, and hence higher global food prices.
• Rising oil prices are adding further pressure. Since the conflict began, oil prices have increased significantly, raising fuel and transport costs and heightening the risk of renewed global inflation, with effects on food prices worldwide.
• These supply chain pressures are also increasing costs for WFP’s lifesaving operations. While cash-based assistance will be used where feasible to mitigate costs, not all contexts allow for this.
• By working closely with long‑standing partners and responding quickly to fast‑changing market conditions, WFP and UNICEF secured support from the shipping industry that so far helped avoid more than US$1 million in additional costs to WFP   —keeping vital humanitarian supplies moving at a critical time.
• Longer transit times are delaying humanitarian deliveries. Extended shipping routes and congestion are jeopardizing WFP’s ability to reach vulnerable populations quickly, increasing the risk that people will wait longer for assistance and face heightened food insecurity and malnutrition.
• To mitigate these disruptions, WFP and partners are adapting their supply routes. This includes increased reliance on suppliers and transit corridors through Türkiye, Egypt, Jordan, and Pakistan, as well as greater use of overland routes between the UAE and the Levant where possible.

WFP Operations:

• Lebanon was the first country where WFP activated an immediate response. Within hours of shelters opening, WFP began providing hot meals, ready-to-eat rations, and bread to displaced families. In partnership with the Government of Lebanon, WFP has also initiated cash assistance to help households meet their immediate food needs.
• In Iran, WFP continues to support Afghan refugees through ongoing operations and stands ready to respond to any additional needs arising from the current crisis.
• WFP is closely monitoring population movements from Lebanon into Syria and has started providing food assistance to around 17,000 people newly displaced.
• In Gaza, the reopening of the Kerem Shalom crossing will provide some relief, but sustained and unimpeded access remains essential. Without consistent access, WFP could be forced to reduce food rations to just 25 percent of daily requirements for approximately 1.3 million people. Fragile gains achieved following the ceasefire risk being reversed without reliable humanitarian corridors.
• Humanitarian operations in Afghanistan could also be affected by further border closures, which would increase costs and cause delays to food deliveries. WFP is assessing alternative supply chain routes to mitigate disruptions. At the same time, a prolonged conflict could force large numbers of Afghan refugees currently in Iran to return, creating additional humanitarian needs.
• WFP has activated emergency preparedness protocols across other potentially affected countries and is working closely with national authorities and partners to monitor displacement trends and enable rapid response where required.
• WFP operates a global network of five United Nations Humanitarian Response Depots (UNHRDs) which preposition critical relief supplies that can be deployed rapidly to emergencies for WFP and on behalf of 100 humanitarian partners worldwide. The Dubai hub is central to this network and remains operational despite current disruptions to flights and shipping. WFP is identifying alternative routes to mitigate disruptions to flights and shipping and maintain the flow of critical humanitarian cargo.

Expert voices available:

• Jean-Martin Bauer, Director of WFP’s Food and Nutrition Analysis Service, is able to speak to the ripple effect of the escalation on food security and what we expect to see globally.
• Samer Abdeljaber, WFP Regional Director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, can speak to WFP’s overall regional response and supply chain issues witnessed in the region.
• Shaun Hughes, WFP Country Director for Palestine, is able to speak to WFP’s operations in Gaza and impacts from the conflict.
• John Aylieff, WFP Country Director for Afghanistan, can speak to country operations and potential impacts of the conflict in Afghanistan.
• Rasha Abou Dargham, WFP Spokesperson for Lebanon, is in Beirut and can speak to the current situation, growing humanitarian needs, and WFP operations on the ground.