WFP head warns maritime chokepoint disruptions could push millions into hunger

As world leaders convene in New York for the UN General Assembly, the acting head of the World Food Programme (WFP) has issued a stark warning about potential hunger crises stemming from disruptions at key maritime chokepoints. Carl Skau, the WFP's interim leader, has identified the Strait of Hormuz, the Bab Al Mandeb strait, and the Black Sea as areas of particular concern due to ongoing conflicts and escalating tensions that are disrupting maritime trade and driving up global food and energy prices.

These disruptions are particularly severe in vulnerable countries where households already spend a significant portion of their income on food. In Yemen, for instance, tens of thousands of newly displaced individuals are the most immediate victims of this escalating situation. However, the global shock is affecting millions of people worldwide.

The conflict in Yemen, already causing acute food insecurity for over 18 million people, or half of the nation's population, has been exacerbated by the Houthi rebels' expansion of control along the western coast, securing the Bab Al Mandeb strait. This control over the strategic waterway has allowed the Houthis to launch attacks on Saudi ships, oil sites, cities, and military bases.

The WFP official has called on member states to intensify diplomatic efforts to resolve existing conflicts, prevent new ones, and ensure the protection of humanitarian access to the most vulnerable populations and the safety of aid workers in the field.