Topic: 2024-Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: India
Delegate Name: Xinyu Wang
Committee: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)
Topic: Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: Republic of India
Delegate: Xinyu Wang, City High Middle School
Famine in conflict zones is one of the most urgent humanitarian crises facing millions of human beings around the world. In conflict areas, food security rapidly declines into imminent hunger and malnutrition. All these factors put together, combined with disrupted agricultural production, blocked food supplies, and general destruction of infrastructure, only worsen matters and drive the hungry section of the population to the edge of starvation. For India, as a nation deeply committed to international peace and development, the issue of famine in conflict zones carries both moral and strategic overtones.
Conflict-induced famine is on the rise, with the most affected areas being Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Civilians, particularly women, children, and the elderly, are among the vulnerable. Violence-related displacement causes farming disruption, impairs market access, and destroys basic services, which are limited in conflict zones. Security challenges and restricted access hamper humanitarian efforts of food aid, leaving millions not adequately covered.
India has contributed by way of humanitarian aid in the form of food donations and also by facilitating peacekeeping missions to help in the international effort toward food security. Nevertheless, despite these various inputs, famine has continued to create havoc in many conflict areas, hence the real cry for a unified international response in the resolution of both the root causes and the consequences of food insecurity in situations of conflict.
The most dominant factor that makes famine prevail in such regions of conflict is that one of the big challenges of delivering aid in insecure environments is that warring factions may obstruct food distribution, utilize food supplies as weapons, or deny access to the agencies providing aid. It also destroys infrastructure, which in turn reduces access to food and agricultural inputs for those in need. The prolonged instability in these regions leads to economic collapse, complicating food access and affordability to affected populations further.
Political barriers often interfere with the work of international agencies when responding to famine. Most conflicts involve various actors with competing interests; therefore, negotiating safe passage for humanitarian aid can be no easy task. In some situations, security threats against foreign aid workers make the organizations withdraw, hence leaving the local populations without much or any support.
India feels that the international community must underpin food security as an integral component of peacebuilding in conflict zones. As a developing nation, having overcome famine in its history, India has developed a recognition of the need to build resilience, sustainable agriculture, and diplomatic engagements necessary to mitigate the effects of conflicts on food security. India calls for humanitarian access to be guaranteed within conflict areas and for strengthened protection of civilians and aid workers.
India calls upon the FAO and its member states to work out international arrangements that would protect and guarantee humanitarian access in areas of conflict. Negotiations on humanitarian corridors and ceasefires are very important for allowing safe and unhindered access to food and other essential supplies.Similarly, India believes that the aid effort should not be limited to the distribution of only emergency food, but one should work towards strengthening local food systems. Investment in conflict-resilient agriculture means the distribution of fast-growing seeds and resilient crops, which would further empower local people and enable them to take care of their needs amidst hostilities.India calls for increased financial commitments by the international community to fund food aid and recovery programs in conflict zones. India further urges the establishment of an international emergency fund for famine relief in war-affected areas so that resources would be promptly available. India impresses that peace building is an integral part of how famine is being addressed in conflict zones. The options of diplomatic solutions and conflict resolution are key in averting wars that cause food shortages. India urges the FAO to work with other UN bodies to impress upon countries that peace is a sure way toward food security. India reiterates its call for strict adherence to international laws on protection of civilians and humanitarian workers. It calls for the protection of the rights of non-combatants and urges that the use of food as a weapon of war by one party against another is not acceptable. Accountability measures should be in place to ensure compliance with these laws. India would like to propose that FAO contribute to raising greater awareness globally about the crisis of famine in conflict zones. Campaigns and educational programs would let the public be made aware of the humanitarian consequences of conflict-induced famine and thus build support for diplomatic and humanitarian solutions.
India reiterates its commitment to addressing famine in the warring areas with a comprehensive approach of humanitarian assistance which embarks on peace building and sustains agriculture. India also reiterates its preparedness to collaborate with the FAO and other Member States in implementing practical solutions that protect the most vulnerable from war and create a world where no person has to go hungry because of that war.
sources
1. United Nations. “World Food Programme Annual Report.”
2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. “Global Report on Food Crises 2022.”
3. Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. “India’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief Response.”
