Up to 4 million risk poverty as Middle East conflict deepens: UNDP

The ongoing Middle East conflict could push up to 4 million more people into poverty, according to new estimates by the UN Development Programme (UNDP).

The crisis, now in its fifth week, is expected to sharply increase hardship across the region, with the Levant worst affected due to existing vulnerabilities.

In the Levant alone, poverty is projected to rise by 5 percent, pushing an additional 2.85–3.30 million people below the poverty line -- accounting for more than 75 percent of the region’s total increase.

The UNDP said the economic shock from the conflict, including job losses and trade disruption, is reversing recent development gains.

“This crisis rings alarm bells for countries of the region to fundamentally reevaluate their strategic choices,” said Abdallah Al Dardari, UN assistant secretary-general, adding that stronger regional cooperation is needed to reduce exposure to such shocks.