UN warns global poverty could rise even if Middle East tensions stop, with tens of millions at risk
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\nThe United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that the global economic consequences of recent tensions in the Middle East could push tens of millions of people back into poverty worldwide\u2014even if the conflict stops immediately.<\/p>\n
According to remarks cited by Reuters, UNDP Administrator Achim Steiner said the crisis could reduce global economic output by between 0.5% and 0.8% of global GDP. He estimated that this economic shock could result in approximately 32 million additional people falling back into poverty.<\/p>\n
The warning highlights the wider economic spillover effects of geopolitical instability in the Middle East, including disruptions to trade, energy prices, investment flows, and supply chains. Officials said that even a rapid end to hostilities would not prevent longer-term economic damage already underway.<\/p>\n
UNDP analysis suggests that part of the economic impact has already been \u201clocked in\u201d and cannot be fully reversed, even if conditions stabilise. The agency stressed that the consequences are not limited to the immediate conflict zone but extend globally, affecting vulnerable economies and households most severely.<\/p>\n
The report also underlined that rising costs of living, food insecurity, and energy price volatility could amplify the effects, particularly in developing countries that are already under financial pressure.<\/p>\n
In addition, international media reports, including Deutsche Welle, echoed the assessment that some of the economic harm is already materialising, with long-term implications for poverty reduction efforts and sustainable development goals.<\/p>\n
The UNDP said coordinated international economic policy responses and targeted support for vulnerable countries would be necessary to prevent further setbacks in global poverty reduction. It warned that without intervention, recent progress in reducing poverty could be partially reversed, particularly in low- and middle-income regions most exposed to global shocks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
UN warns global poverty could rise even if Middle East tensions stop, with tens of millions at risk ———————————— The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has warned that the global economic consequences of recent tensions in the Middle East could push tens of millions of people back into poverty worldwide\u2014even if the conflict stops immediately. …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":141870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rop_custom_images_group":[],"rop_custom_messages_group":[],"rop_publish_now":"initial","rop_publish_now_accounts":{"facebook_108372464460192_245495985553329":""},"rop_publish_now_history":[],"rop_publish_now_status":"pending","footnotes":""},"categories":[8980],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-141871","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-un-news"],"yoast_head":"\n