Unraveling the Crisis: Why Food Security in the Middle East Is Deteriorating Amid Global Progress

DUBAI: Last year saw a slight decline in global hunger, but the Middle East remains in dire straits. Conflicts, inflation, and heavy reliance on imports are creating deep food security issues in Western Asia and North Africa, even as other regions improve.

The United Nations recently reported that 8.2% of the global population faced hunger in 2024, down from 8.5% in 2023. However, the situation varies widely by region. In Africa, over 20% of people—307 million—struggled with hunger. In Western Asia, that number is 12.7%, affecting more than 39 million people.

David Laborde from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization noted that more prosperous areas like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are less affected, while countries troubled by conflict, such as Lebanon and Syria, contribute significantly to rising hunger rates.

Gaza faces the most severe crisis, with war destroying agricultural systems. An FAO assessment found that only 1.5% of cropland is usable, a dramatic drop from 4.6% earlier. This leaves 98.5% of the land damaged or inaccessible for over 2 million residents.

Recent data revealed famine-like conditions in parts of Gaza. Nearly a quarter of its population experiences serious hunger, while the UN agencies warn that immediate action is essential.

The hunger crisis stems from deep-rooted issues. Persisting conflicts, economic instability, and limited access to affordable food are major contributors. Laborde highlighted that the rate of undernourishment in the region has risen to 12.7% this year.

The COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine severely impacted global food prices. Even as some inflation pressures have eased, many Middle Eastern countries still grapple with soaring food costs. Often, the hardest-hit nations have seen wages stagnate while food prices continue to rise, leading to increased food insecurity and child malnutrition.

For instance, Egypt’s food purchasing power dropped by 30% between late 2022 and 2024, largely due to its dependence on wheat imports from Ukraine and Russia coupled with currency issues.

The region’s challenges extend beyond food shortages. Market dynamics can delay price reductions even when global prices stabilize, further compounding inflation issues. The poorest households are most vulnerable, often forced to compromise on nutrition.

In many communities, women shoulder the burden of rising prices, often skipping meals to ensure their children eat. With real wages dropping, these coping strategies become increasingly difficult to maintain.

This situation threatens the UN’s 2030 goals for sustainable development, particularly those aimed at eradicating hunger and improving nutrition. Laborde calls for urgent government action to stabilize food prices and assist those most affected, including temporary tax relief on essential foods and enhanced social protection measures.

For more details on global hunger trends, check out the UN report.

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