UN News Today 01 April 2026 |

Middle East war: Energy crisis crunch hits vulnerable nations

The war in the Middle East and the near halt to shipping in the Strait of Hormuz has raised concerns about the energy crunch facing developing nations in Africa and South Asia, given their heavy reliance on imported liquid gas, food and fertilizers. 

And with Brent Crude largely trading at more than $100 per barrel, many governments have already announced fuel rationing and a move to online meetings to save precious reserves.

With more on the impact on Least Developed Countries, or LDCs, here’s economist Junior Davis, from the UN trade and development agency, UNCTAD:

“The Middle East war and blocked shipping are driving up energy and fuel shortages for many developing countries, especially LDCs. That’s forcing families to burn dirtier fuels, governments to ration fuel and food and fertilizer prices to spike, which is raising the risk of hunger. Countries with weak refineries or heavy debt, like Angola and Zambia, can’t easily cope.” 

Mr. Davis warned that only a small group of the world’s poorest nations export energy; they include South Sudan, Angola and Yemen. 

But that’s not the case for most Least Developed Countries which are now extremely vulnerable because they need to import oil and natural gas but have little option other than making consumers pay more.

“Urgent support is needed” from the international community for these vulnerable nations, the UNCTAD economist stressed.

Understanding the threat of sea mines

In related news, with shipping at a near standstill in the Persian Gulf amid Iranian attacks on vessels there – the latest coming on Wednesday – there are fears that sea mines could be laid in the waterway. 

The Strait of Hormuz is a vital passage for global trade, carrying around 20 per cent of the world’s energy needs. 

From the UN Mine Action Service, UNMAS, Paul Heslop told UN News that there are no confirmed reports that sea mines have been deployed.

He said that they are easy to lay but extremely dangerous to find and make safe:

“You can take them out in a fairly small boat, a fishing boat, a skiff or a dowel, or a dedicated minelayer. We do know that the Iranian Navy had a massive stockpile of sea mines prior to the conflict…Their activation mechanisms can be from contact with a hull, magnetic influence, remotely detonated, timed…Clearing landmines is difficult, clearing sea mines is even harder.”

Sea mines have no tracking device, meaning that traditional sea mine clearance techniques would have to be used. 

This could either involve an old-fashioned mine sweeper vessel relying on the naked eye, or newer technologies using drones or underwater robots, Mr. Heslop explained.

Should any agreement be reached on reopening the Strait of Hormuz, the UNMAS official noted that ships would likely proceed along the narrow waterway in convoy, with a mine-sweeper in front to make sure the path is clear.

You can find the full interview with Paul Heslop on SoundCloud now.

Somalia drought drives crop failure and hunger crisis: UNICEF 

To Somalia, finally, where drought, conflict and cuts to aid funding “could spell catastrophe” for the country’s children.

That’s the worrying message from UNICEF, the UN Children’s Fund, which has highlighted the severe drought impacting the East African nation.

In Baidoa, capital of South West state, families have come to seek shelter and assistance, after fleeing their homes and livelihoods.

One young mother told the UN agency that the drought had “destroyed everything. There was no water and our crops failed.” Another displaced woman described having no water or food. “Hunger was overwhelming our family,” she said.

That was two months ago. Today, displaced families continue to face severe food insecurity, UNICEF said.

For the most severe cases of malnutrition, the agency provides emergency medical treatment and fortified milk for infants.

“The majority of children survive after receiving care,” but malnutrition is increasing the longer the drought goes on, UNICEF said.

Daniel Johnson, UN News