In a grim reflection of modern warfare, a harrowing report has unveiled that hunger is being wielded as a weapon, with over 20,000 recorded incidents of violence against food systems globally since 2018. This alarming analysis underscores the brutal reality faced by millions in conflict-ridden regions, where access to basic sustenance is increasingly compromised by targeted assaults on markets, farms, and aid distribution networks.
A Rising Tide of Food-Related Violence
The analysis, released by Insecurity Insight, reveals a staggering 21,403 incidents across 15 nations, marking a significant escalation in what is being termed “food-related violence.” This includes 1,261 attacks on markets essential for daily survival and 863 assaults on food distribution operations that have resulted in the deaths of aid workers. The majority of these incidents occurred in the occupied Palestinian Territory, which has suffered 9,013 attacks, followed by Yemen with 1,863 and Sudan with 1,605.
The research coincided with the anniversary of UN Resolution 2417, which condemned the deliberate starvation of civilians. The resolution, however, appears impotent against the reality on the ground, as belligerents continue to target food supplies as a strategy of war.
In one of the most recent incidents, a drone strike on a bustling market in Sudan killed 28 people, highlighting the brutal tactics employed by military forces in conflict zones. Witnesses described the assault on the Ghubaysh market as a blatant act of aggression, occurring during peak hours when civilians were present.
Women and Children Bear the Brunt
The report highlights that the weaponisation of hunger disproportionately affects women and children, with females facing dire choices in the pursuit of food. Giulia Contò, from Action Against Hunger, noted that while the famine in Gaza and Sudan has captured international attention, the everyday struggles of communities in conflict zones remain largely overlooked. Women, often the primary caregivers, are forced to become breadwinners, frequently sacrificing their own nutrition to ensure their families survive.
Between October 2023 and the end of 2025, more than 10,300 civilians were reported killed or injured while seeking food aid. This statistic underlines the perilous environment in which families are compelled to navigate, often risking their lives merely to access the most basic human needs.
The Global Implications of Conflict-Induced Hunger
Conflict remains the leading cause of severe hunger worldwide, with over half of those facing acute food insecurity residing in just ten countries. Last month, UN agencies issued stark warnings that a growing share of global hunger is becoming entrenched in these nations, exacerbated by ongoing violence and instability.
Christina Wille, director of Insecurity Insight, called for urgent action from the international community to uphold the principles outlined in UN Resolution 2417. “It is not that resolution 2417 has failed, but that member states have failed to implement it,” she stated. The need for political will to combat these violations has never been more pressing, as the cycle of violence continues to claim innocent lives and deepen humanitarian crises.
Why it Matters
The increasing weaponisation of hunger in conflict zones is not just a humanitarian crisis; it poses a direct threat to global stability. As food insecurity becomes a tool for warfare, the repercussions extend beyond borders, fuelling migration, political unrest, and further conflict. The failure to address these issues risks entrenching a cycle of violence that could destabilise entire regions, leaving millions vulnerable and perpetuating a legacy of suffering for generations to come.
