Conflict to push 45m more into hunger

UNITED NATIONS — Amid renewed calls from the United Nations for diplomacy in the Middle East, UN humanitarians warned on Tuesday that tens of millions more people could be pushed into acute hunger worldwide.

The World Food Programme said the number of people facing severe food insecurity across the globe could reach record levels this year if the Middle East crisis continues to destabilize the global economy.

"New analysis by WFP estimates that almost 45 million more people could fall into acute food insecurity or worse if the conflict does not end by the middle of the year, and if oil prices remain above $100 a barrel," said Farhan Haq, deputy spokesman for the UN secretary-general.

Humanitarians warned that the throttling of the Strait of Hormuz not only restricts oil flows but also impedes shipments of fertilizers essential for food production.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said the world body and its partners continue to scale up humanitarian aid, providing food, shelter, water and medical support to displaced populations.

In Lebanon, UN agencies and partners have distributed more than 1.1 million hot meals, along with tens of thousands of essential supply kits and bedding to collective shelters, and delivered hundreds of thousands of liters of clean water.

1 million displaced

The office said more than 1 million people have registered as displaced following evacuation orders, including nearly 300,000 children, with only a small share living in public shelters.

"OCHA is very concerned over attacks on healthcare," it said, adding that at least three paramedics were killed on Monday in Israeli attacks across the Nabatieh and Tyre districts. "These attacks are further straining Lebanon's health system and increasing risks for medical personnel providing lifesaving care."

In Iran, health workers and facilities continue to be affected. Authorities reported 17 medical personnel killed and more than 100 injured, while over 240 health facilities were damaged. Tens of thousands of homes and hundreds of water infrastructure sites have sustained damage.

The office said governments in the Gulf region reported at least 15 civilian deaths and many more injuries linked to the hostilities.

"All parties must uphold international humanitarian law and protect civilians, including health workers and humanitarian personnel," OCHA said.

Restrictions on crossings into the Gaza Strip since the conflict began have reduced aid deliveries to a "trickle", the office said, warning that continued Israeli strikes and shelling in residential areas are heightening risks for civilians.

Xinhua