Iran war worsens hunger crisis in Somalia and beyond

Friday, May 29, 2026

The conflict involving Iran has caused a spike in fuel, food, and fertilizer prices by disrupting shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, worsening hunger in vulnerable regions like drought-stricken Somalia where food costs have doubled. Without key international aid, Somalia faces a growing famine crisis threatening the lives of up to 500,000 children, prompting calls for urgent global assistance.

The ongoing conflict involving Iran has intensified the global hunger crisis, with severe consequences in Somalia and other vulnerable regions, the World Food Program (WFP) has warned. The disruption of oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, a key global energy route, has triggered a surge in fuel, food, and fertilizer prices worldwide. These increases disproportionately affect impoverished populations who rely heavily on imports.

Somalia, a country that imports about 70% of its food and is currently grappling with prolonged drought conditions, has experienced a sharp rise in the cost of staple foods. Since the onset of hostilities in February, prices of essentials such as rice and flour have approximately doubled. The situation has led to alarming warnings that as many as 500,000 children in Somalia face a risk of starvation in the coming weeks.

The crisis is compounded by the loss of critical international assistance. In particular, Somalia has been without its primary aid support since the previous year following decisions by the United States government under former President Donald Trump to scale back funding through agencies like USAID. This has left many families struggling to secure adequate nutrition.

Abdullahi Abdi Abdirahman, 47, a Somali father of seven, described the dire conditions faced by his family. He said they have been surviving mainly on sorghum porridge supplemented by wild grasses, with items such as milk and meat becoming unattainable luxuries.

The WFP attributes the worsening hunger crisis to the broader geopolitical tensions and their cascading impact on energy markets and supply chains. As fuel prices soar, the cost of transporting and producing food and fertilizer also rises, creating a ripple effect that hits already fragile economies.

Humanitarian organizations have called for urgent international support to address the deepening food insecurity in Somalia and beyond. They emphasize the need for renewed aid commitments and efforts to stabilize global supply chains to prevent widespread famine, particularly among children and other vulnerable groups.