WASHINGTON, DC – THE United Nations is once again calling for an immediate halt to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, warning that escalating tensions—along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz—could severely disrupt global food supplies and drive hunger to new highs.
In a recent report, the World Food Programme (WFP) cautioned that the number of people facing acute hunger worldwide could reach record levels by 2026 if the conflict continues to destabilize the global economy.
According to WFP estimates, nearly 45 million additional people could fall into acute food insecurity or worse—classified as IPC Phase 3 or higher—if the war persists beyond mid-year.
The agency pointed to rising oil prices, which could climb to as high as US$100 per barrel, as a major contributing factor. This, it noted, is being driven in part by geopolitical tensions involving Iran. Compounding the issue is the fact that a significant portion of the world’s fertilizer supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz, now under threat.
“These would add to the 318 million people around the world who are already food insecure,” the WFP said.
The situation is particularly concerning for small, import-dependent states, including those in the Caribbean, where rising food and shipping costs could have an immediate impact on consumers.
Nevis Premier Mark Brantley recently echoed those concerns, warning that global developments are already affecting the Federation. “Decisions are being taken elsewhere which impact us,” he said during an appearance on VON Radio.
Brantley also highlighted the potential for shortages of essential goods if supply chains are disrupted.
"The Strait of Hormuz is also the major pathway for significant amount of the world's fertilisers. And they're saying htat right now is the planting season, the sowing season in many places, and they need fertiliser. So if people can't get fertiliser to farm, they can't plant, and if they can't plant, food security becomes an issue,"he noted while speaking on VON Radio.
Meanwhile, Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesperson for the UN Secretary-General, reminded reporters during a recent briefing that similar conditions emerged at the start of the Ukraine war in 2022. That conflict triggered a global cost-of-living crisis, with hunger levels surging to affect some 349 million people.
"WFP's latest projections indicate we are at risk of facing a similar situation in the months ahead if the Middle East conflict continues," Haq said. "During the 2022 period, food prices were fast to spike dut slow to come down. This meant that vulnerable families already struggling with hunger were prices out of staple food items almost oveernight, and for extended periods of time."
In St. Kitts and Nevis, the government has been pushing to strengthen food security through its “25 by 25” initiative—now extended to 2030—which aims to reduce the Federation’s food import bill by 25 percent by boosting domestic agricultural production and ensuring greater self-sufficiency.
