Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services, has warned that a possible blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could severely undermine food security in developing countries. In an interview with NHK, he said at least 45 million people could face food shortages under such a scenario.
Moreira da Silva, who previously led a humanitarian cargo transport group operating through the Strait of Hormuz, said the risk of famine could be averted if at least 5-7 fertilizer-carrying ships are allowed to pass through the waterway each day. He said those shipments are critical for developing economies.
“For developing countries, this will be a decisive factor: they will either be able to secure food safety or be forced to confront a humanitarian crisis,” he warned.
According to UN statistics, one-third of global fertilizer exports move through the Strait of Hormuz. Any disruption to that maritime route could therefore quickly affect agricultural output and food availability across multiple regions.
Moreira da Silva also urged the United States and Iran to find a prompt solution to the supply issue and to separate it from a broader agreement on resolving the conflict.
