According to the executive director of the WFP (World Food Program), if the conflict in the Middle East persists, 45 million people could face acute hunger, which could lead to life-threatening conditions.
Since the beginning of the conflict in late February, most of the cargo ships have stopped coming in or out of the Strait, as it may be mined, and Iran is using drones to threaten direct strikes on boats that do not follow the IRGC instructions.
According to experts, these restrictions are considered war crimes under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). These articles state that cargo ships are protected even during conflicts. There used to be around 130 ships coming through daily, but now it has decreased by about 95%, so it is now in the single digits. Losing a large portion of marine traffic will have a devastating effect on the world stage. To add to the problem, the Americans have also set up their own blockade.
While most people are aware of how this war is affecting oil prices, it is also important to know that the Strait of Hormuz is used to transport a large quantity of commodities. In fact, around 30% of the region’s vital fertilizers and 70% to 85% of the food consumed in the Persian Gulf pass through the narrow channel. These fertilizers are required for countless farmers to grow crops.
A cause-and-effect situation is unfolding because a large quantity of fertilizer is missing, resulting in a significant price increase. This means many countries that depend heavily on fertilizer from the Persian Gulf, such as India, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, are at risk of running out of fertilizer. Other African countries, like Sudan and Mozambique, already struggle with food costs and fertilizer access, so a price increase could have a significant impact on field yields. The same logic applies to major agricultural exporters such as Brazil, Australia, the United States, and Argentina.
On another note, more money is spent on 6 days of war in Iran, this being $11.3B, compared to what it would cost to treat every acutely malnourished child on Earth, which would cost $4B(according to Rescue.org).
