Food security under pressure: How the Middle East crisis is impacting vulnerable countries

Global Food and Nutrition Security

This report looks at how rising tensions in the Middle East since early 2026 are affecting people’s ability to afford food, especially in vulnerable countries. It focuses on Afghanistan, Somalia, and Sri Lanka to show how global problems can quickly impact everyday lives.

The crisis is pushing up fuel and food prices, disrupting supply chains, and reducing incomes. As a result, many families are finding it harder to buy basic necessities. In these countries, millions of additional people are at risk of food insecurity, and even those who were previously managing are now struggling.

Governments are also under pressure, with higher import costs and less money available to support their populations. At the same time, humanitarian organizations face rising costs and funding shortages, meaning fewer people may receive assistance when they need it most.

Overall, the report shows how global conflicts can have far-reaching effects, making life more difficult for vulnerable communities. It highlights the need for better data, stronger social support systems, and continued humanitarian aid to prevent situations from worsening.

Resources

Food security under pressure: How the Middle East crisis is impacting vulnerabl…

Geographic coverage	Global
Available from	03 Jul 2026
Related organisation(s)	WFP - World Food Programme
Knowledge service \| Metadata	Global Food and Nutrition Security \| Food crises and food and nutrition security
Digital Europa Thesaurus (DET)	policymaking impact study inflation price of agricultural produce agricultural production disaster risk reduction extreme weather fertiliser

Supporting policy with scientific evidence

Food security under pressure: How the Middle East crisis is impacting vulnerable countries

Nature Finance - Science for Policy Workshop

The Complex Links Between Food Security, Migration, and Fragility in Northern Central America

Short-term EU agricultural outlook - Summer 2026