Middle East conflict poses risk of ‘record hunger’ across the globe: WFP

Published March 20, 2026 Updated March 20, 2026 01:19pm

With no quick end in sight for the Middle East conflict and key shipping routes being strangled, the World Food Programme has warned of “record levels of hunger,” CNN reports.

It said an additional 45 million people could fall into acute hunger as the conflict escalates, pushing the global total to 363m people.

“As violence escalates, displacement, rising prices and disrupted food systems are pushing families closer towards hunger in the region and far beyond,” the WFP said on its website.

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