The Road to Sustainable Peace: Ending the Cycle of Hunger and Conflict
On September 25, the WFP, FAO, IFAD and the Netherlands hosted a high-level side event on “Breaking the Cycle Between Conflict and Hunger — working towards sustainable peace and food security” as part of the 73rd session of the UN General Assembly. The event was a result of the UN Security Council passing Resolution 2417, which condemns the starving of civilians as a method of warfare and the unlawful denial of humanitarian access to civilian populations.
The event commenced with a video message by UN Secretary-General António Guterres, who emphasized that in 2017, “124 million people faced acute food insecurity. For 60 percent of them, conflict was the main reason” [1]. Guterres was citing the Global Report on Food Crises, which also predicted that conflict and insecurity will continue to drive food crises around the world, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen [2].
“It is time to translate commitments in action. We must show leadership and political will to prevent crises and respond to them. Let us show zero tolerance for famine and hunger,” Guterres continued, emphasizing that peace and “the restoration of livelihoods is the only way to ensure global food security.”
The event was divided into two panels —
- Conflict and food security: UN Security Council Resolution 2417 — From a landmark resolution to implementation
- Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus: Transforming the way we collectively prevent conflict and build resilient societies
Panelists during the event noted that food insecurity is often a tell-tale sign of future potential conflict and further insecurity.
“Conflict and hunger reinforce each other in a cycle,” remarked Ms. Sigrid Kaag, Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation of the Netherlands. Ms. Kaag affirmed that the Resolution “obliges the UN to take action,” working with NGO partners such as Oxfam and IFAD to approach food insecurity from a prevention lens.
Jose Graziano de Silva, director-general of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO), added that “building resilience of vulnerable communities is indeed fundamental for strengthening social cohesion, preventing conflict, and avoiding forced migration. Without that there is no peace” [3].
Similarly, the World Food Programme (WFP) executive director David Beasley asserted, “If you don’t have food security, you’re not going to have any other security. So we have to address the fundamentals” [2].
Although the panelists lauded the new resolution, they also stressed that it alone is not enough to achieve security and peace.
As the CEO of Action Contre la Faim (Action Against Hunger), Veronique Andrieux, said, “Humanitarian action and technical solutions can mitigate the effects of food crises but we desperately need political solutions and we need to implement 2417 if we are to reverse shameful, upwards trajectory of hunger primarily resulting from conflict.” Ms. Andrieux outlined a four-point agenda to achieve such goals:
- Improve early warning data-driven systems to identify starvation as a weapon of warfare and introduce solutions
- Prioritize investment in food security, livelihoods, markets, and critical infrastructure
- Minimize military and peacekeeping operations to control food insecurity
- Uphold respect to humanitarian law and enhance accountability by creating a special adviser to the UN Secretary-General
Many panelists echoed that a holistic and comprehensive approach is the key to effective humanitarian development assistance, specifically citing the example of the Sahel region in Africa. Approximately 6 million people are estimated to be severely food insecure in the current season [5]. The heads of the FAO, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the WFP particularly emphasized their pledge to address poverty, underdevelopment, climate shocks and migration in the region.
Addressing the root causes of conflict through early action response to early warning is critical, rather than waiting for the conflict to start.
Although the task is challenging, commitment and collective action can resolve the complex issue of conflict-based food insecurity. For example, the FAO and the European Commission have partnered to boost resilience and tackle hunger by contributing over USD 70 million.
“At the ground, when we work together, it’s not only that we do better…we are much more efficient,” Graziano da Silva said.
The success of such international partnerships is visible in the Niger region where the work of FAO, WFP, and IFAD is making a difference. Initiatives, such as a land rehabilitation programme, water management systems and a central marketplace, illustrate the vital link between humanitarian and development assistance for peacebuilding in the region [5].
The event concluded with a moderated discussion involving representatives from Norway, Kuwait, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Germany showing their support for Resolution 2417 and commitment to address the root causes of conflict. Respect for international humanitarian law by both state and non-state actors is necessary to ensure that uninterrupted aid and assistance is provided to people living in conflict zones. Measures such as investment in sustainable rural development and early monitoring systems can only be effective when civil society and governments collectively work together to truly end world hunger.
Read more about the United Nations’ efforts in achieving Zero Hunger here.
References
[1] “Secretary-General Video Message Urges ‘Zero Tolerance’ for Famine, Hunger at Event on Breaking Cycle between Conflict, Food Insecurity.” United Nations. September 25, 2018. Accessed September 28, 2018. https://www.un.org/press/en/2018/sgsm19238.doc.htm.
[2] Yakupitiyage, Tharanga. “Without Food Security, There Is No Peace.” Inter Press Service News Agency. September 27, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2018. http://www.ipsnews.net/2018/09/without-food-security-no-peace/.
[3] Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. YouTube. September 26, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NN_LFFYHN9A
[4] “As Millions Experience Increased Food Insecurity in the Sahel, UN Food Agency Chiefs Pledge to Redouble Efforts to Reduce Poverty and Hunger.” Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. August 17, 2018. Accessed October 01, 2018. http://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/1149526/icode/.
