The issue of hunger driven by global conflicts has reached unprecedented levels, with a new report highlighting the extent to which warfare exacerbates food insecurity. According to the report, as many as 21,000 people may be dying each day from hunger in conflict-affected regions. The report emphasizes that hunger is being weaponized by combatants who deliberately target food supplies, water, and energy infrastructure, and restrict the delivery of essential aid.
This report, published on World Food Day, reviewed 54 conflict-ridden countries and found that they account for nearly all of the 281.6 million individuals currently experiencing acute hunger. Moreover, the same conflicts have forced over 117 million people to flee their homes, resulting in the highest levels of displacement ever recorded. The analysis stresses that in many of these countries, hunger is not just a byproduct of war but a tool actively used by warring factions.
In several conflict zones, food, water, and energy supplies have been systematically destroyed or cut off, leaving populations vulnerable to starvation. In some of the most dire cases, humanitarian agencies have warned that certain regions are on the brink of a historical starvation crisis. Sudan, for instance, has seen extreme levels of food insecurity due to its ongoing civil war, while Gaza has witnessed record-breaking levels of hunger, with aid failing to reach those in need.
The report makes clear that the current global food crises are not accidental but are largely the result of human actions, particularly in war-torn regions. In Gaza, where the majority of the population relies on food aid, over 80 percent of that aid is currently not reaching those in need. Similarly, in Sudan, over 750,000 people are on the brink of starvation due to the intersection of conflict, displacement, and economic instability.
The report also connects these crises to larger systemic issues. Many of the countries facing the worst levels of hunger are heavily reliant on the export of primary products like gold and livestock. In Sudan, for example, 95 percent of the nation’s export earnings come from these sectors, which have contributed to violent conflict over resources. These conflicts have not only led to the displacement of people but have also caused severe environmental degradation, making it impossible for those displaced to return to their homes.
The report argues that these conflicts have been exacerbated by peace-building efforts that prioritize economic liberalization and foreign investment over addressing deeper-rooted issues like inequality and resource distribution. In many cases, large-scale investments have led to further political and economic instability, as foreign and domestic investors seize control of land and water resources, displacing local communities.
These crises are further compounded by climate-related disasters such as droughts and floods, which are becoming more frequent and severe due to climate change. Combined with the economic disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war, global food prices have risen sharply, deepening the hunger crisis in regions like East and Southern Africa.
The report also warns that the global goal of achieving “zero hunger” by 2030 is becoming increasingly difficult to attain due to these interlocking crises. It calls on the international community, including the United Nations Security Council, to hold those responsible for using hunger as a weapon accountable under international law. It stresses that addressing the root causes of conflict, such as colonial legacies, human rights abuses, and economic inequalities, is crucial to breaking the cycle of food insecurity and violence.
The report’s findings highlight that without significant intervention and accountability, the devastating impacts of conflict on food security are likely to persist for generations, making it even harder to address global hunger in the years to come.
