UN: Over 45 million vulnerable people in Middle East threatened by hunger

The UN agency World Food Programme (WFP) estimates that the number of people affected by famine in the Middle East could be "terribly high" if the wars continue over the summer, WFP Deputy Director Skau said.

Our analysis shows that if the conflict in the Middle East continues beyond June and the oil price is above $100 a barrel, an additional 45 million will be affected by a hunger crisis, Skau said on Tuesday.

The UN agency estimates that at least 320 million people globally suffer from food insecurity.

That would take global hunger levels to a new record, and that's a dire prospect, Skau said.