World Food Programme: Chain reactions of Middle East conflicts will threaten food security.

Carl Skau, Chief Operating Officer of the World Food Programme of the United Nations, recently stated in an interview with the media that the chain reaction triggered by conflicts in the Middle East is seriously threatening the food security of millions of vulnerable populations worldwide. Geopolitical turmoil has led to skyrocketing prices of fuel, food, and fertilizers, which may result in more people falling into severe hunger crises. Skau pointed out that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz has led to an exponential increase in fuel costs, significantly raising the global humanitarian operational costs of the World Food Programme. At the same time, the blockage of critical waterways in the Gulf region has directly cut off fertilizer supplies to crisis-hit areas such as Sudan, causing serious difficulties in local crop cultivation. Skau emphasized that even if the Strait of Hormuz were to reopen immediately, the delayed and long-term negative impacts on the global supply chain will continue. Skau explained that in impoverished countries and regions highly dependent on external assistance, a 20% to 30% increase in food prices would force the lower classes to reduce their food intake by the same proportion. The World Food Programme had previously issued a warning indicating that if international oil prices remain above $100 per barrel, by July of this year, the estimated number of people facing severe hunger worldwide is expected to expand to 45 million.