WFP warns war in West Asia pushing millions toward hunger

 The war in West Asia is driving millions of people closer to hunger, as higher fuel and transportation costs push up food prices and funding shortages force humanitarian organizations to reduce aid operations, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) said on Friday.

In March, the WFP warned that up to 45 million people could face acute food insecurity if oil prices remained near $100 per barrel through June. The agency said that scenario is now materializing, with benchmark crude prices staying above that threshold since early March.

Families in Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka are among the hardest hit, facing increasing pressure from rising fuel costs, surging food prices, declining incomes, and trade disruptions.

The WFP said it anticipates reaching 1.5 million fewer people worldwide in 2026, with that figure potentially rising to 9 million if current conditions continue for another six months.