Wars, armed conflicts and violence are the main causes of hunger in the world. This, like malnutrition, has not stopped increasing since 2015. Globally, there are 828 million people without regular access to food, and 258 million of them suffer from acute hunger. What does that mean exactly? Well, the health and lives of the people affected are in grave danger.
Malnutrition is the greatest threat to child survival worldwide: more than 45 million children under the age of five are acutely malnourished. This happens when the body does not receive enough food and its energy reserves are depleted. The body begins to consume its own tissues, starting with muscle and fat, in search of vital nutrients and energy. As a result, the body’s metabolism slows down, temperature regulation is disturbed, kidney function deteriorates and the immune system functions only to a limited extent. The greater the loss of muscle mass and other tissues, the greater the threat to survival.
International humanitarian law prohibits interference with vital necessities of the civilian population, such as food, cultivated fields, crops, livestock and drinking water supplies.
According to the United Nations World Food Program report on the global food crisis, up to 258 million people in 58 countries were affected by acute food insecurity in 2022. In 2021 there were 193 million people in 53 countries. The increase in hunger in the world is directly linked to conflicts and wars and the blatant disregard for international humanitarian law by the warring factions, the main victims of which are always the civilian population. More than 85% of the 258 million acutely hungry people live in countries affected by war and conflict. In addition, extreme weather events, economic crises and rising food prices are contributing to the current severe food and nutrition crisis.
The impact of armed conflict on food security is directly affected when armed parties use targeted political or military action to cause food insecurity and malnutrition among the population. These include the systematic and large-scale burning and destruction of homes and property; looting and destruction of seeds, food and livestock, and targeted attacks on helpers; However, it also has an indirect effect when agricultural production falls or when transport routes or the water supply are interrupted.
Conflicts also exacerbate economic problems. For example, in 2022, food prices rose by more than 10% in 38 countries already experiencing a food crisis. Including Sudan, South Sudan and Haiti. A significant number of countries also faced unusually high inflation in 2022, affecting the food security of millions of people.
The destruction of basic infrastructure and social services during violent conflict, as seen in many conflict contexts, is a common tactic to further aggravate the already poor socio-economic situation of communities. Again, the destruction of these facilities often leaves civilians bearing the brunt of the conflict. Urban wars in particular have catastrophic effects on civilian populations and their basic needs. Today, 56% of the world’s population lives in cities, putting them at greater risk of food insecurity during and after conflicts.
International humanitarian law expressly prohibits attacking, destroying, stealing or otherwise rendering inoperative items essential to the survival of civilian populations, such as food, cultivated fields, crops, livestock and drinking water facilities.
This week marks the fifth anniversary of the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 2417 on the protection of civilians. The resolution recognizes the link between conflict and famine and classifies the use of famine as a weapon of war as a war crime. Since then, however, hunger caused by conflict has increased. Parties to conflicts and donors of humanitarian aid must respect and enforce international law. UN member states must prevent the emergence and escalation of food and humanitarian crises and invest in building resilient livelihoods and food security.
Olivier Longue He is the Director General of Action Against Hunger.
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