A blockade of the Strait of Hormuz would aggravate the situation in countries suffering from hunger, including Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia. This was stated by Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services.

According to him, the consequences of the escalation in the Middle East "extend far beyond the borders of the countries directly affected by the conflict." He believes that developing nations in Asia and Africa will bear the most severe consequences of any disruption to the strait.

"Disruptions to the Strait of Hormuz threaten energy supplies. This affects the fertilizer market, endangering food security in countries where hunger or food insecurity is most acute, including Sudan, South Sudan, Afghanistan, Yemen, and Somalia," the UN press service quoted him as saying.

Da Silva estimates that the number of people suffering from hunger worldwide will "increase by tens of millions" over the course of a year. "An expansion of the war in the Persian Gulf could also jeopardize remittance flows, particularly to South Asia," he added.