Oil Shock: Middle East Tensions Push Prices Up as 11.7 Million More Women and Girls Face Hunger

Oil Shock: Middle East Tensions Push Prices Up as 11.7 Million More Women and Girls Face Hunger

A UN Women analysis warns that disruption to the Strait of Hormuz is driving up food prices and could push 11.7 million more women and girls into food insecurity by the end of 2026, as oil prices climb amid escalating Middle East tensions.

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Oil prices rose on Monday as fears of supply disruptions grew, driven by escalating tensions in the Middle East [261781]. The increase comes as clashes intensify between Iran-backed Houthi forces and Saudi Arabia, raising concerns about the security of oil shipments from the region [261781]. Traders are watching the situation closely, as any threat to supply routes or production can quickly push prices higher [261781].

The Strait of Hormuz, a narrow waterway in the Middle East through which roughly one-fifth of the world's oil passes, is at the center of the crisis [261724]. Disruption to traffic there is driving up food prices and straining household resources across Africa, according to a new UN Women analysis [261724]. The report warns that 11.7 million more women and girls could face food insecurity by the end of 2026 [261724].

Women and girls often eat last and least when food runs short, the analysis says [261724]. They also carry most household duties, leaving them less able to earn income as costs climb [261724].

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is warning that growing hostilities in the Middle East could have "disastrous" consequences for millions of people [260938]. ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric called for de-escalation as civilian deaths and damage to infrastructure continue to rise in Saudi Arabia and Yemen [260938].

The crisis extends beyond the region's borders. Qatar supplies about one-fifth of the world's liquefied natural gas (LNG), and any disruption there quickly reaches markets and consumers worldwide, the country's emir said [260952]. "Anything that affects Qatar is quickly reflected in markets and consumers everywhere," Sheikh Tamim said [260952]. LNG is natural gas cooled to liquid form so it can be shipped by sea [260952].

The energy shock is compounding existing pressures on global food supplies. Global food prices rose in September, driven by transport disruptions and bad weather that limited supply, the UN's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) reported [257900]. The FAO Food Price Index, which tracks international prices of key food commodities, climbed on higher prices for crop-based goods [257900]. The Cereal Price Index rose 5.1 percent from August and stood 17.2 percent above its level a year earlier [257900].

Sources

Strait of Hormuz Crisis Threatens 11.7 Million Women and Girls With Hunger #261724Oil prices climb as Middle East tensions flare #261781Red Cross warns: Mideast escalation could be 'disastrous' for millions #260938Qatar LNG Disruption Threatens Global Markets, Emir Warns #260952Food Prices Jump as Transport Chaos Bites #257900

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