Geneva, March 31 (SANA) The World Food Programme (WFP) issued a dire warning on Tuesday regarding a “dangerous disruption” to global food supply chains caused by the escalating war in the Middle East. Corinne Fleischer, WFP’s Director of Supply Chain, stated during a press briefing in Geneva that the current logistical crisis is now the most severe since the COVID-19 pandemic and the onset of the war in Ukraine.
Approximately 70,000 tons of food are currently impacted, with massive quantities of aid either stuck on vessels or languishing in containers at congested ports. Fleischer noted that the entire global logistical network is reeling from the effects of the conflict, leading to overloaded ports, un-discharged cargo, and significantly prolonged transit times.
The Economic Toll of Rerouting
The crisis has forced a dramatic shift in international shipping routes:
Suez Canal Avoidance: Most carriers are bypassing the Suez Canal in favor of the Cape of Good Hope, adding 25 to 30 days to journeys.
Cost Surges: Shipping costs have spiked by 15% to 25% due to longer routes and increased insurance premiums.
Land Bridge Delays: Aid moving from Pakistan to Afghanistan must now navigate complex overland routes through Central Asia, adding €1,000 per ton and a three-week delay.
The impact on local transport is even more acute, with costs rising by 45% in Lebanon and tripling in Afghanistan, further straining the budgets of humanitarian organizations.
Hormuz Closure and Humanitarian Access
Continuous Iranian attacks on Gulf states and the ongoing closure of the Strait of Hormuz have paralyzed vital supply lines. According to UN relief officials cited by the Washington Post, the resulting surge in fuel prices and the closure of several regional airports have prevented humanitarian agencies from delivering life-saving medicine and food to millions in need.
Fleischer warned that without immediate intervention and de-escalation, approximately 45 million people could face acute food insecurity by June. The combination of rising operational costs and the physical inability to reach vulnerable populations threatens to turn the regional conflict into a global humanitarian catastrophe.
H.H
