UN Warns of 30 Million People Pushed into Poverty Amid US-Israeli War on Iran
Global Food Insecurity and Economic Fallout Threaten Millions
The United Nations has issued a stark warning that the ongoing US-Israeli conflict with Iran could push over 30 million people back into poverty, exacerbating global food insecurity and economic instability. The disruption of fuel and fertiliser supplies due to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has already begun to impact agricultural productivity, with severe consequences expected later this year, according to the UN’s development chief.
“Even if the war would stop tomorrow, those effects, you already have them, and they will be pushing back more than 30 million people into poverty,” said Alexander De Croo, administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). His remarks highlight the far-reaching consequences of the conflict, which extend beyond the immediate region to global markets and humanitarian systems.
Read Also: Best Buy Appoints Jason Bonfig as New CEO to Succeed Corie Barry in Late October
Strait of Hormuz: A Critical Bottleneck for Global Supplies
The Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime chokepoint through which one-third of the world’s fertiliser supplies pass, has become a flashpoint in the escalating tensions between Iran and the US. The blocking of cargo vessels in the strait has already lowered agricultural productivity, threatening crop yields in key food-producing nations. This disruption could lead to a global food “catastrophe,” as warned by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
“Food insecurity will be at its peak level in a few months – and there is not much that you can do about it,” De Croo said, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. The FAO has identified several countries, including India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Somalia, Sudan, Tanzania, Kenya, and Egypt, as being at heightened risk due to their reliance on imports and vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.
Economic and Humanitarian Fallout
The economic toll of the conflict is already being felt globally. De Croo noted that the war has wiped out 0.5 to 0.8 percent of global GDP, a staggering loss that underscores the fragility of international trade and cooperation. “Things that take decades to build up, it takes eight weeks of war to destroy them,” he said, highlighting the disproportionate impact of the crisis on developing nations.
Beyond economic damage, the conflict has strained humanitarian efforts worldwide. De Croo, a former prime minister of Belgium, warned that the Middle East crisis is diverting resources and attention from other pressing global challenges. The US-Israeli attacks on Iran have also disrupted key humanitarian aid routes, delaying life-saving shipments to regions already grappling with severe crises.
“We will have to say to certain people, really sorry, but we can’t help you,” De Croo said. “People who would be surviving on help will not have this, and will be pushed into even greater vulnerability.” His statement reflects the grim reality facing millions who depend on international aid to meet basic needs.
Energy Shortages and Remittance Crises
The conflict’s ripple effects are not limited to food and poverty. Energy shortages, driven by the instability in the region, are expected to worsen as global supply chains face unprecedented disruptions. Additionally, falling remittances—critical lifelines for many developing countries—could further deepen economic hardship, particularly in nations reliant on migrant workers’ earnings.
With much of the world’s fertiliser production concentrated in the Middle East, the crisis in the Strait of Hormuz poses a direct threat to global agricultural output. This, in turn, could trigger a cascade of consequences, from rising food prices to widespread malnutrition in vulnerable populations.
A Call for Global Action
As the UN continues to sound the alarm, the international community faces a critical juncture. The warnings from De Croo and the FAO underscore the need for immediate and coordinated action to mitigate the humanitarian and economic fallout of the conflict. Failure to address these challenges could lead to irreversible damage, not only for the region but for the entire global system.
The UN’s message is clear: the war’s consequences are already being felt, and without intervention, millions more will be left to bear the brunt of a crisis that transcends borders and threatens the stability of the world order.