UN: Conflict in the Middle East could push 32 million people into poverty

Published at: 30/04/2026 11:19 AM

The Secretary General of the United Nations (UN), Antonio Guterres, warned this Thursday that the escalation of the conflict in the Middle East threatens to push 32 million people into poverty and leave another 45 million at risk of extreme hunger.

This global food and economic crisis stems primarily from fertilizer shortages and the critical decline in crop yields. Guterres said that all of humanity is paying the price of hostilities and stressed that the negative consequences of these tensions will persist for a long time.

The situation is constantly worsening due to restrictions imposed on navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, a nerve point for trade and the supply of basic resources worldwide. The head of the organization expressed his deep concern about the limitation of traffic rights and freedoms in the area, warning that every hour of blockade increases the vulnerability of the most disadvantaged populations. According to estimates by international organizations, the paralysis of these transport routes generates a domino effect that makes essential products more expensive.

In this context, Guterres made direct reference to the maritime blockade imposed by the United States Navy to and from Iranian ports in the strait, an action that has raised diplomatic tension to critical levels. While the naval forces assure that these measures are necessary for security, the Tehran government has officially described these interventions as acts of piracy.

This clash of positions and the military deployment on shipping routes complicate diplomatic efforts to re-establish trade flow and ensure the supply of necessary agricultural inputs.

The United Nations call urges the powers involved to seek a negotiated solution to avoid a humanitarian catastrophe of historic dimensions. The agency emphasized that the restriction of freedom of navigation not only affects regional political stability, but also has a direct impact on global food security.

Without a safe transport corridor and a solution to the conflict, scarcity will continue to escalate, compromising the economic future of millions of families who depend on the stability of international markets.

Mazo News Team