Iran war fuels worldwide price spikes, pushes Filipino driver into poverty

The war in Iran, which began several months ago, has quickly rippled through global oil markets, raising fuel prices across multiple continents. The United Nations Development Programme warned that such a shock could push an additional 45 million people into poverty.

In the Philippines, Manila resident Edgar Funelas illustrates the personal impact. After a fire destroyed his home, he relied on his jeepney for income, but soaring diesel prices left him unable to afford fuel. He now earns barely a few cents per passenger, has stopped working, and his 10‑year‑old daughter has left school to help the family survive. Funelas even resorts to washing with laundry soap to stretch scarce resources. The story underscores how a distant conflict is reshaping daily life far from the battlefield.