World · Malaysia Bureau
UN warns 130 million face poverty risk amid energy, food price surge
A senior United Nations development official has raised alarm over the potential for mass impoverishment in the coming year, citing pressure from escalating energy and food costs. Without protective government subsidies, approximately 130 million people could be pushed below the poverty line, the UN official cautioned.
LSN Malaysia ·
The warning comes as global markets reel from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which have exacerbated already volatile commodity prices. Energy and food costs have surged beyond the reach of vulnerable populations across developing nations, threatening to reverse years of progress in poverty reduction efforts.
The UN development chief highlighted that the scale of potential poverty expansion depends critically on government policy responses. Nations that maintain or introduce subsidy programmes may cushion the impact on their poorest citizens, while those unable or unwilling to do so face the prospect of dramatic increases in poverty levels.
The situation poses particular challenges for countries in South and Southeast Asia, where large populations already live on narrow margins. Rising input costs for agriculture and energy could cascade through supply chains, affecting food security and economic stability across the region.
International development organisations are urging policymakers to prioritise protection for vulnerable groups while seeking long-term solutions to address underlying market instability. The UN official's assessment underscores the urgency of coordinated global action to prevent a humanitarian setback in poverty reduction goals.