The Strait of Hormuz blockade is pushing the world toward a massive hunger crisis, according to the head of a UN task force. Jorge Moreira da Silva, executive director of UNOPS, says 45 million more people could face starvation if fertilizer shipments do not resume soon.
Iran has held the strategic waterway for months in retaliation for the US and Israel's war launched on Feb 28. Normally, a third of the world's fertilizers pass through the strait, critical for farmers racing against planting seasons.
"We have a few weeks to prevent what will likely be a massive humanitarian crisis," Moreira da Silva told AFP in Paris. The UN created a task force in March to push for a mechanism allowing fertilizers and raw materials like ammonia and urea through the strait.
Moreira da Silva has met with over 100 countries to rally support. While a growing number back the plan, the United States, Iran, and key Gulf producers are not fully on board. He warns the planting season in African nations ends within weeks.
Global focus has been on oil and gas impacts, but the UN warns the blockade threatens food security. Even if the strait reopened now, it would take 3-4 months to return to normal. Fertilizer costs have already spiked.
Moving just five vessels a day could avert the crisis. "It's a matter of political will," Moreira da Silva said. "We can't procrastinate on what is urgent."