Amidst the rubble of conflict, hunger has emerged as a chilling weapon, with over 20,000 incidents of “food-related violence” recorded globally since 2018. This alarming trend highlights how the destruction of food supply chains is becoming a deliberate tactic in warfare, exacerbating the suffering of civilians trapped in conflict zones. From Gaza to Sudan, the systematic targeting of markets and agricultural infrastructures is not just a statistic; it is a stark reality that shapes the lives of millions.
The Scale of Food-Related Violence
Recent analysis by Insecurity Insight reveals a staggering 21,403 documented attacks across 15 countries, with 9,013 of these occurring in the occupied Palestinian Territory alone. This escalation in violence against food systems is not merely a byproduct of war; it is a strategic assault on the very fabric of survival for communities. In Yemen, 1,863 incidents have been logged, while Sudan has seen 1,605 attacks, including a recent drone strike on a bustling market that left 28 dead.
The data paints a grim picture: 1,261 strikes on markets essential for daily sustenance and 863 attacks targeting food distribution systems, often resulting in the deaths of humanitarian workers. These figures are not just numbers; they represent shattered lives and families torn apart by conflict.
The Human Cost of Conflict-Induced Hunger
Giulia Contò, a conflict and hunger advocacy manager at Action Against Hunger, stresses that the ongoing famine in Gaza and Sudan has gained international attention, yet countless other instances of conflict-induced hunger remain hidden from view. “It unfolds daily, with relentless attacks on the systems communities depend on to survive,” she states. Livestock are looted, markets are bombed, and aid convoys are obstructed, pushing civilians into desperate situations.
The repercussions of these attacks extend beyond immediate physical harm. Between October 2023 and the end of 2025, over 10,300 individuals were killed or injured while attempting to access food aid. The violence does not discriminate; women and children are often disproportionately affected, facing heightened risks as they navigate perilous environments in search of sustenance.
The Failure of International Response
Despite the United Nations Security Council’s unanimous adoption of Resolution 2417 in 2018, which condemned the deliberate starvation of civilians, the implementation of this mandate has been lacklustre. Christina Wille, director at Insecurity Insight, asserts that the failure lies not within the resolution itself, but in the lack of political will among member states to act against violations. “We have a responsibility to act upon violations,” she implores, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and action.
The international community’s inaction allows the weaponisation of hunger to flourish, creating an environment where civilians are not only caught in the crossfire but are actively targeted. The consequences are dire: children deprived of nourishment face a lifetime of developmental challenges, and women, often the primary caregivers, are forced to make unimaginable sacrifices for their families’ survival.
A Growing Crisis
Conflict remains the principal driver of hunger worldwide, with more than half of all individuals facing severe food insecurity residing in conflict-stricken regions. Recent warnings from UN agencies indicate that a significant share of global hunger is now entrenched in a small cadre of nations plagued by violence, with two-thirds of those experiencing acute food insecurity concentrated in just ten countries.
The targeting of food supplies is not an isolated phenomenon; it is a growing crisis that demands urgent attention and action from the global community. As the world watches, the plight of those suffering from hunger in conflict zones continues to unfold, often without the necessary intervention to alleviate their suffering.
Why it Matters
The weaponisation of hunger is a grim manifestation of modern warfare, where the most basic human need becomes a tool of oppression. As attacks on food systems surge, the international community’s failure to uphold humanitarian principles not only exacerbates the suffering of millions but also undermines the very foundations of global stability. The consequences of inaction are profound, threatening not only the immediate well-being of affected populations but also the future stability of nations embroiled in conflict. In a world increasingly aware of the humanitarian implications of war, the need for decisive action has never been more urgent.