The Iran war’s ripple effects are increasing the risk of acute hunger for millions of people, according to the World Food Program (WFP) acting Executive Director Carl Skau. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz has driven up fuel costs, making the organization’s operations more expensive and increasing the price of food worldwide.

Funding Cuts and Rising Costs

The WFP relies on donations from governments, but it has seen a significant drop in funding, including from its top donor, the United States. In 2024, the US contributed over $4 billion, but this year’s contribution is around $731 million. Skau explained that in the world’s poorest countries, a 20-30% increase in food prices means people eat 20-30% less.

The WFP has begun seeing the impact on the ground in places like Sri Lanka, Somalia, and Afghanistan. Even if the Strait of Hormuz were to reopen, Skau said the effects would be felt long-term. The organization hopes rich countries will step up to mitigate the crisis’s impact on the most vulnerable.

Challenges and Choices

The WFP faces mounting needs worldwide, including 20 million food-insecure people in Sudan and hundreds of thousands displaced in Lebanon. The rising costs and funding cuts have compounded these challenges, forcing the organization to make difficult choices about who to help. Skau described a part of South Sudan facing famine, which can only be reached by air, a very expensive option.

In Afghanistan, WFP colleagues are trying to determine who to assist, given the limited resources. Skau said they are having conversations about the impact of the cuts, such as deciding which women-headed households with children to help. The WFP is thankful for the US contribution but hopes the country will push others to do more, as a hungry world is an unstable world.

Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.