Iran war may push 45 million people into acute hunger by June, WFP says

The World Food Programme (WFP) warned on Tuesday that if the war in Iran continues until June, an additional 45 million people could face severe hunger. The conflict, which began with U.S.-Israeli strikes on February 26, has disrupted important routes for humanitarian aid, leading to delays in vital food shipments to some of the world's most critical situations. WFP's Deputy Executive Director, Carl Skau, informed reporters in Geneva that rising costs for food, oil, and shipping could push the total number of people suffering from acute hunger beyond the current record of 319 million. He described this potential increase in hunger as a "terrible, terrible prospect." Before the war started, hunger was already at a crisis level, with unprecedented numbers and severity. Skau mentioned that shipping costs have risen by 18% since the U.S.-Israeli attacks began on February 28, and some shipments have had to be redirected. These added expenses come amid significant budget cuts at the WFP, as donor countries are increasingly prioritizing military spending.