Global food insecurity and armed conflict escalation

United Nations officials have reported that 2025 has seen the highest number of armed conflicts since World War II, a trend that is driving record-breaking global hunger. At least 266 million people are currently facing acute food insecurity, with violence identified as the primary driver in 12 of the 13 most affected regions.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres described the famine conditions in Sudan and Gaza as a ‘shameful milestone,’ noting that these are the first simultaneous hunger hotspots confirmed in both regions during the 21st century. The UN also highlighted the increasing danger to humanitarian personnel, stating that over 1,000 aid workers have been killed in conflicts over the last three years.

Regional conflicts are further disrupting global supply chains through maritime bottlenecks in the Red Sea, the Black Sea, and the Strait of Hormuz. Disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz have reportedly caused oil prices to rise by 36 percent and led to a plummet in fertilizer availability since the conflict in Iran began. In Sudan, staple food prices have increased by nearly 40 percent since February. To mitigate these issues, Guterres has proposed a time-limited mechanism for the neutral verification and registration of fertilizer transport ships.