WFP Warns 45 Million More Risk Acute Hunger as Middle East War Strains Global Food Systems

Carl Skau of the WFP warns that $100+ oil prices and the Middle East conflict are creating a global food disaster. Read the 2026 update from Antalya.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 17, 2026, 2:48 PM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Anadolu Agency and the World Food Program (WFP).

The Economic Ripple Effect of Regional Warfare

The 2025-2026 Middle East conflict is no longer a localized security issue; it has evolved into a global humanitarian crisis. Carl Skau explained to Anadolu that the war is exerting extreme pressure on international food supply chains. The primary drivers are twofold: the doubling of jet fuel and shipping costs due to the Strait of Hormuz blockades, and the soaring price of crude oil. For the WFP, these rising costs mean that the same amount of donor funding now feeds significantly fewer people, while logistical delays prevent life-saving supplies from reaching those in need.

Targeting the "Poorest of the Poor"

Skau identified a "looming disaster" for developing nations that rely on imported staples and international aid. He emphasized that the 45 million people at risk are largely situated in regions already reeling from climate shocks, such as the Sahel and sub-Saharan Africa. In these areas, the "nuclear dust" of global inflation—caused by the Middle East energy spike—is making basic food commodities unaffordable for the most vulnerable populations. Without a sustained de-escalation by July, the WFP predicts a surge in mortality rates linked directly to acute malnutrition.

The "Forgotten" Crisis in Sudan

Amid the global focus on the Israel-Hezbollah and U.S.-Iran conflicts, Skau urged the international community not to overlook Sudan, which he described as the "largest food crisis in the world at the moment." The WFP is currently struggling to reach 700,000 people in the massive camp at Tawila and thousands more trapped by fighting in Kordofan. Skau condemned the looting of humanitarian assets and called for an immediate surge in resources to prevent a total collapse of the food system in East Africa.