New york: Just hours after war broke out in the Middle East last month, United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres warned the Security Council that the fighting risked igniting a chain of events that no one can control in the most volatile region of the world. The humanitarian fallout continues to deepen and is exacerbated by the number of deaths, injuries, and damage to civilian infrastructure, with severe impacts on the global economy increasing. According to United Nations, while UN efforts to support affected civilians and de-escalate the conflict are ongoing, the Secretary-General has stressed the need to take immediate action to mitigate the consequences. The prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz to maritime trade is choking the movement of oil, gas, and fertiliser at a critical moment in the global planting season. Tanker traffic has dropped by more than 90 per cent, as reported by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), which is threatening agricultural production and global food s ecurity. The crisis is causing the most significant global humanitarian supply chain disruptions since COVID-19 and the onset of the war in Ukraine, the UN aid coordination office OCHA added. Humanitarian supply lines across the Middle East are being severely disrupted, threatening the timely delivery of lifesaving food, medical items, and emergency relief to millions. With the conflict showing no signs of stopping, the Secretary-General announced two important initiatives: the appointment of an envoy to spearhead UN peace efforts and the establishment of a dedicated Task Force on the Strait of Hormuz. The Task Force will work to ensure safe, orderly, and reliable transit for humanitarian purposes through the critical maritime corridor. Jorge Moreira da Silva, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), will head the Task Force, which provides infrastructure, procurement, and project management services around the world. Representatives from UN trade body UNCTAD, the Inter national Maritime Organization (IMO), and the International Chamber of Commerce will also be on board. "Our focus is to facilitate the trade of commercial fertilisers and the movement of related raw materials," Mr. Moreira da Silva said in a statement posted on X. The Task Force draws inspiration from other UN initiatives, including the Verification and Inspection Mechanism in Yemen, the former Black Sea Grain Initiative on exports from Ukraine, and the UN Special Mechanism for Gaza aid delivery outlined in Security Council resolution 2720 (2023). If successful, it would also create confidence among Member States on the diplomatic approach to the conflict and constitute a valuable step towards a wider political settlement. The Secretary-General named veteran French diplomat Jean Arnault as his Personal Envoy to lead UN efforts on the Middle East conflict and its consequences. He warned that the conflict was out of control, reiterating his call on the United States and Israel to stop the war, and for Iran to stop attacking its neighbours. Mr. Arnault will examine how the conflict is impacting the region and civilians, both there and around the world, as well as consequences for the global economy.