Paris: Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Alexander De Croo warned today that the US-Israeli war on Iran, and the sharp rise in energy and fertilizer prices it has caused, could push more than 30 million people into poverty.

According to Qatar News Agency, speaking on the sidelines of a G7 development meeting in Paris, De Croo noted that the situation represents a reversal of development. The efforts to build stable societies and develop local economies, which have taken decades, are being undermined within weeks due to the ongoing conflict.

He highlighted that a study conducted by the UNDP six weeks after the outbreak of the war concluded that, even if the conflict were to stop at that point, around 32 million people would be pushed into vulnerability across 160 countries.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a critical passage for about one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies, has exacerbated the situation. The Gulf countries, significant sources of petroleum products and raw materials for fertilizer production, have been directly affected.

The decline in supplies and rising prices have prompted several countries in Africa and Asia to implement measures to curb consumption, including fuel rationing and reducing weekly working hours. Conversely, some countries have opted to cut fuel taxes to alleviate the burden on consumers.

The UNDP has warned of the deep repercussions of the war on sub-Saharan African countries, certain Asian nations like Bangladesh and Cambodia, and small island developing states expected to be heavily affected.

De Croo emphasized that rising energy costs and fertilizer shortages would have far-reaching effects in the coming months on populations in these regions, warning of potential risks related to political instability and a decline in remittances from workers in Gulf countries.

He stated that the program estimated a need for about $6 billion in aid to support the groups most affected by rising food and energy prices and to prevent the expansion of poverty.

He mentioned that discussions are already underway within both the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank on ways to respond. Although the amount is substantial, it remains lower than the cost of the war, estimated at around $9 billion per week.

These warnings come at a time when development aid has reached its lowest levels on record, following a decline of more than 23% last year due to reduced contributions from major donors, particularly the United States.