WFP chief: Strait blockade raises aid costs 20%, urges opening

Cindy McCain, the Executive Director of the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), who is visiting Japan, gave an interview to Jiji Press in Tokyo on the 20th. She pointed out that since the Strait of Hormuz, a vital maritime traffic hub, was effectively blockaded due to the military conflict between the United States and Iran, the transportation costs for aid supplies such as food have "risen by 20%." She emphasized that with a limited budget, activities are being forced to scale back, stating that "lives are at risk," and called for the opening of the strait.

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McCain stressed that the soaring fuel costs required for transportation are forcing the WFP to "reduce the number of people we can deliver food to." Furthermore, she stated that the blockade of the strait has necessitated the use of detour routes, leading to delays in aid delivery.

The Trump administration has significantly reduced foreign aid, and the UN is facing financial difficulties. Due to the instability of the international situation, many countries are cutting humanitarian aid and increasing defense spending. Contributions to the WFP decreased from approximately 9.75 billion dollars (about 1.55 trillion yen) in 2024 to about 6.4 billion dollars (about 1 trillion yen) in 2025.

Despite these circumstances, McCain expressed her gratitude, saying, "Japan remains interested and continues to provide support."

McCain, originally from Arizona in the western United States, took office as Executive Director in April 2023. She will step down at the end of this month for health reasons. She is the wife of the late Senator John McCain (Republican) and a former US Ambassador to the United Nations Agencies in Rome.