El Niño and Iran War Threaten Hunger Crisis for 100 Million People
Updated
Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 12
El Niño and Iran War Threaten Hunger Crisis for 100 Million People
3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Jun 12
Summary
More than 100 million people could face severe food shortages this year as a powerful El Niño collides with war-driven disruptions tied to Iran, experts say.
Extreme weather is expected to damage harvests while the conflict pushes up fuel and fertilizer costs, raising production and transport expenses across already fragile food systems.
Somalia’s Bay region shows the strain: sorghum and corn are withering from lack of rain, and imported rice prices have jumped because shipping has been disrupted.
Families there are selling livestock, equipment and furniture to buy food, while some children are getting only about half the calories they need.
The warning points to a broader risk that climate shocks and conflict together could deepen global hunger well beyond the immediate war zone.
Can our global food system survive the twin shocks of extreme weather and geopolitical conflict?
Beyond immediate aid, what permanent changes can break the cycle of climate-fueled hunger and conflict?
The 2026 Global Food Crisis: How War and Climate Shocks Pushed 100 Million into Acute Insecurity
Overview
In mid-2026, the world faced an unprecedented global food emergency, with over 100 million people experiencing acute food insecurity. This crisis pushed global food systems into uncharted territory and put millions in immediate danger. Driven by a combination of soaring food prices and widespread economic strain, the situation worsened as domestic food price inflation stayed high across many regions. Notably, the share of low-income countries with food inflation above 5 percent rose from 40 to 45 percent between January and March 2026, highlighting the severe and growing impact on vulnerable populations.