Food assistance for families sheltering on school grounds in Beirut. Middle East: UN warns of disruption to global supply chains Peace and security
Fighting continues in several countries in the Middle East, with the humanitarian impact of the conflict already being felt far beyond the region. The World Food Program (WFP) warns that the escalation could lead to the worst disruption to humanitarian operations since the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as trigger a sharp rise in global hunger.
WFP Deputy Executive Director Karl Skau noted that the consequences of the conflict are already affecting the global aid supply chain.
Risk of global hunger increase
The UN agency estimates that the ongoing conflict and rising oil prices could push up to 45 million more people into acute food insecurity in 2026—in addition to the 318 million already hungry.
WFP warns that the situation may repeat the crisis observed during the COVID-19 pandemic and at the beginning of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, when global hunger reached record levels values.
“If the conflict continues, its consequences will be felt around the world,” Skau stressed, speaking at a briefing in Geneva today. Rising prices for fuel, fertilizers and transportation are already driving up food costs, especially in import-dependent countries in Africa and Asia.
Casualties and destruction in Lebanon
Meanwhile, according to the UN Office for Human Rights (OHCHR), since the second of March, as a result of Israeli air strikes on At least 886 people were killed in Lebanon, including at least 111 children.
The strikes destroyed hundreds of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, including medical facilities. At the same time, Hezbollah fighters continue to launch rockets into Israel.
UN Coordinator in Lebanon Imran Riza noted that the scale of bombings and targeted attacks is causing fear among civilians, who have repeatedly been forced to flee their homes due to violence.
Mass displacement
The conflict is causing large-scale displacement throughout the region.
In Iran, up to 3.2 million people are estimated to have fled to safer areas. In Lebanon, the number of displaced persons has exceeded 830 thousand people, and collective accommodation centers are almost overcrowded.
More than 120 thousand Syrians and about 14 thousand Lebanese crossed the border into Syria. Tens of thousands of Afghans are returning from neighboring countries amid instability.
Afghanistan: attack on a rehabilitation center
Of particular concern is the escalation between Afghanistan and Pakistan, which is already leading to civilian casualties and destruction of infrastructure.
At least 289 Afghan civilians, including 104 children and 59 women, have been killed or injured since late February, according to the UN human rights office. Tens of thousands of people, mainly in the south and southeast of the country, were forced to leave their homes. Pakistan is also experiencing population displacement, with many families forced to flee and schools closed.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus stressed that the intensification of hostilities is already putting serious pressure on the health care system.
Of particular concern was an airstrike on an addiction treatment center in Kabul, which reportedly killed and injured hundreds of people. WHO is verifying the information received.
“Last night’s tragic explosion at a rehabilitation center in Kabul, which reportedly killed dozens of patients, must be promptly, independently and transparently investigated and those responsible brought to justice in accordance with international standards. The results of the investigation must be made public. The victims and their families have the right to compensation for damages,” said Tamin Al-Khitan, a representative of the UN Human Rights Office.
According to him, the High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, once again calls on all parties to take effective measures to protect civilians in accordance with international law. The UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA) also called on the parties to immediately de-escalate, ceasefire and protect civilians.