For the 8th consecutive year, conflict is the biggest driver of acute food insecurity, and the leading cause of hunger for 140 million people worldwide. The number of people on the brink of famine has more than doubled in the past year. In the most severe cases, the use of hunger is deliberately used as a weapon of war by conflict parties – a violation of international humanitarian law. Action Against Hunger is a member of the Coalition against Conflict and Hunger, who are calling for “the international community to step up unbiased, coordinated political and humanitarian action to ensure that civilians and their livelihoods are protected in times of conflict. Silence in the face of the growing crisis will perpetuate the climate of impunity.”
It’s crucial to remember that hunger is preventable, and we know what works: treating malnourished children with ready-to-use therapeutic food, supporting local farmers, and investing in clean water and sanitation to prevent deadly diseases. These locally-led, cost-effective solutions save lives but require sustained investment. It also requires all governments and conflict parties to uphold and champion international humanitarian law in times of conflict, to protect civilians and stop starvation.