New York: The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) warned that more than 32 million people worldwide could be pushed into poverty due to the economic fallout of the conflict in the Middle East, with developing countries expected to bear the brunt.
In a report issued on Monday, the agency said the world is facing a "triple shock" of rising energy and food costs alongside weak economic growth, adding that the conflict is eroding development gains and is likely to have uneven impacts across regions.
The report underscored the need for targeted, temporary cash transfers to protect the most vulnerable households in developing countries, estimating the cost at around $6 billion to cushion the impact on those living below the poverty line.
In this context, UNDP Administrator Alexander De Croo said the conflict represents a setback to development, warning that its effects will persist even if the war ends.
He added that the impact would be long-lasting, particularly in poorer countries, where people are being pushed back into poverty. He described this as the most troubling aspect, noting that many of those affected are individuals who had previously managed to escape poverty but are now being driven back into it, and called for a coordinated global response to support the countries most affected.
