United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called on the international community to reject hunger as a weapon of war, highlighting the devastating impact of conflict on global food security. Speaking at a UN conference in Ethiopia, Guterres emphasized that hunger fuels instability and undermines peace, and that it is unacceptable to use hunger as a tool of war. His remarks come amid growing concerns about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, where 21 months of war have created dire conditions, and aid supplies have been severely limited.
The situation in Gaza is particularly dire, with the World Health Organization warning that malnutrition is reaching alarming levels. The UN and aid agencies have been pushing for a ceasefire to allow for a massive relief operation to address the deepening hunger crisis. However, Israel’s government denies using hunger as a weapon of war, instead accusing aid agencies of failing to distribute aid delivered to Gaza’s border crossing points.
Guterres’ comments also drew attention to the crisis in Sudan, where a power struggle between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, commander of the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, has killed tens of thousands and displaced over seven million people. Othman Belbeisi, regional director of the UN’s International Organization for Migration (IOM), described Sudan as “the largest humanitarian catastrophe facing our world and also the least remembered”.
The use of hunger as a weapon of war has severe consequences, including increased mortality rates, malnutrition, and long-term damage to communities. The international community must work together to address the root causes of hunger and conflict, and to ensure that aid reaches those who need it most. Guterres’ call to action highlights the need for a collective response to address the humanitarian crises in Gaza, Sudan, and other conflict-affected areas.
As the global community grapples with the challenges of conflict, climate change, and humanitarian crises, Guterres’ message serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring access to basic necessities like food and healthcare. The UN and its partners must continue to work towards finding solutions to these complex problems, and to hold those responsible for using hunger as a weapon of war accountable.
