Iran conflict disrupts food aid, millions at risk of hunger

The conflict in Iran has caused delays in delivering food aid to the world’s poorest countries. The UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that millions of people could face acute hunger if logistical disruptions continue. Approximately 70,000 tonnes of food are currently stranded at sea, unable to reach their intended recipients.

High insurance costs and delays due to blocked key shipping routes have forced the WFP to reroute some shipments overland. In particular, food aid to Afghanistan is being transported via Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Syria, Turkey, Azerbaijan, and Uzbekistan, adding several weeks to transit times and significantly increasing fuel and logistics costs.

Among the delayed shipments are 30,000 tonnes of containerized food—including canned goods, legumes, and specialized nutritious products—as well as around 21,000 tonnes of wheat destined for southern Yemen. Other shipments to the Democratic Republic of Congo are delayed at Tanzanian ports due to congestion and high cargo volumes.

The WFP warns that if the disruptions continue until June, an additional 45 million people could face acute hunger, on top of 318 million already experiencing food insecurity. Rising fuel prices are directly increasing the cost of imported food in countries where the programme operates. In Somalia, prices have risen by approximately 20%, according to WFP estimates.

The crisis also affects agricultural markets due to higher fertilizer and energy costs, placing additional pressure on around 500 million smallholder farmers already struggling to afford inputs. WFP estimates it needs about $13 billion this year to assist 110 million people, compared with just $6.4 billion received last year.

WFP Supply Chain Director Corinne Fleischer emphasized that rising fuel and insurance costs are making humanitarian aid deliveries more expensive. Some war-risk insurance surcharges for humanitarian cargoes have been waived after negotiations with carriers. However, without significant funding and logistical stabilization, the risk of a global food crisis remains high.

Tags: Somalia, Iran, Afghanistan, Yemen, food security, war