The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that ongoing instability in the Middle East is contributing to worsening global food insecurity, as higher fuel prices and disrupted trade routes increase the cost of food and humanitarian operations.
The agency said that elevated oil prices, linked to regional tensions and disruptions to key maritime routes, are driving up transportation and food costs worldwide. These pressures are being felt most acutely in vulnerable and import-dependent countries, including Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka.
According to the WFP, Somalia could see as many as 6.5 million people facing severe hunger in 2026, while an estimated 17.4 million people in Afghanistan may be affected by food insecurity. The agency cautioned that these figures reflect worsening conditions if current economic and logistical pressures persist.
The WFP also warned that rising operational costs and funding shortfalls could reduce the scale of its assistance. The agency said it may be forced to reach 1.5 million fewer people in 2026, with potential reductions increasing further if financial constraints continue.
Humanitarian organisations have also reported higher delivery costs and longer transport times, which are complicating efforts to deliver food aid to crisis-affected regions.
The WFP said the combined impact of conflict-related uncertainty, elevated energy prices, and reduced humanitarian funding could further strain global food systems, particularly in countries already facing economic instability and climate-related challenges.