WFP Warns Afghanistan Among Most Vulnerable to Global Food Crisis Amid Rising Fuel Prices
The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) has warned that ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and rising fuel and transportation costs are pushing millions of people across various countries towards severe hunger. The agency stated that sustained high oil prices could trigger widespread acute food insecurity worldwide.
According to the WFP’s recent report, increased transportation and fuel costs have significantly driven up food prices, while simultaneous budget shortages have forced cuts to several aid programs. The organization noted that if this trend continues, it will place additional pressure on vulnerable families.
The WFP forecasts that if oil prices remain elevated, millions more people globally will face acute food insecurity. This scenario is already unfolding in some countries, evidenced by signs in food markets and reduced access to sufficient nutrition for populations.
The report identifies Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka as among the countries most severely affected by this crisis. It estimates that approximately 6.5 million people in Somalia will suffer from severe hunger in 2026, while in Afghanistan, the number could reach 17.4 million.
The report further highlights that severe budget shortfalls have critically challenged humanitarian operations, forcing the WFP to remove more people from its aid recipient lists. Officials warned that in some countries, including Somalia, specialized food reserves for children suffering from malnutrition are nearing depletion.
The World Food Programme emphasized that the ongoing crisis in the Middle East threatens not only food security but also economic stability and global supply chains, with potentially far-reaching cross-border consequences.
