Topic: 2024-Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: Albania
Delegate Name: Madilyn Feld
Although Albania is not considered a conflict zone, we still have great sympathy for nations that are. We also understand that the UN should always be stepping in to help other nations who are suffering. A quarter of humanity (about 2 billion people) are currently living in a conflict zone and over 117 million citizens were displaced by the end of last year (UNHCR). This number has been growing annually for 12 years and there is no sign of it stopping. Albania has not technically been considered a conflict zone since the 1990s and does not suffer from either acute or chronic food security. One of the biggest conflict zones today is Ukraine. Nearly 4 million citizens have been displaced by the conflicts in Russia (UNHCR). Even though the media often focuses on this conflict, there are so many more out in the world that are often neglected by the UN. Albania stands with those countries and wants the UN to support them as well. One of the main causes of food insecurity in Albania is the Ukraine-Russia war. Ukraine is a main provider of wheat, seed, and corn. They also provide a large portion of Albania’s fats, oils, grains, and dairy. But because of this conflict, many UN nations have sent aid to Ukraine. In doing so, many other nations dealing with violent conflicts are neglected.
What countries should be our priority and how do we determine which nations need the most relief? Is there a system we could create to provide support for many more countries? How are famine and conflicts directly linked? We need to specifically focus on providing aid to these nations as part of conflict resolution. The FAO’s goal is to achieve worldwide food security and “to make sure people have regular access to enough high-quality food to lead active, healthy lives.” We should keep this in mind when discussing potential solutions.
Albania would look favorably upon a resolution including a plan to help citizens in conflict zones and to ensure their food security is not affected by whatever conflict they are facing. Albania would be in favors of a resolution protecting the people’s right to their own health and safety. In recent years, Albania has proposed plans similar to these that would provide fast relief for nations considered conflict zones. The most recently proposed plan would include funding from foundations and corporations, along with a digital platform to add onto the UN humanitarian aid system. Although this was previously proposed, other methods could be included in a potential resolution.
As was mentioned earlier, Albania proposed a “Humanitarian Alliance” in 2023 that would provide speedy relief to nations in conflict zones. Albania claims that this plan will “enlarge the radius of contributions.”(Banjo) At the same conference this plan was proposed, it was stated that humanitarian assistance was greatly lacking in some of the places that needed it most. Albania strongly agrees with this statement and the fact that many countries are being denied the help they desperately need. The UN also has “Sustainable Development Goals” which is centered around food for all. The UN launched the “Zero Hunger Challenge” in 2012 in order to ensure all world citizens the right to adequate food (UN). As well as these, the UN works closely with organizations such as the World Food Programme (WFP) and the World Bank Group. Albania supports both of these initiatives and hopes to continue working with the UN to mitigate these issues.
In conclusion, Albania strongly believes that many nations aren’t getting the help they need. It is the goal of the FAO to eliminate hunger worldwide and by providing aid for nations in crisis, we would be able to get a bit closer to this goal. A favorable solution would include a guarantee to all countries that they have access to UN support and aid. Albania hopes to continue advocating for these countries by creating an effective resolution in committee.
Works Cited
Banjo, Damilola. “Albania’s Proposing a ‘Humanitarian Alliance’ to Get UN Aid Faster to Crisis Zones.” Pass Blue. 4 September, 2023
“‘War’s Greatest Cost Is Its Human Toll’, Secretary-General Reminds Peacebuilding Commission, Warning of ‘Perilous Impunity’ Taking Hold”. United Nations Press. 30 March, 2022
“Global Trends”. UNHCR. June 2024.
“Trade and Economic Cooperation”. Embassy of Ukraine to the Republic of Albania. 31 March, 2021
“Ukraine Agricultural Production and Trade”. Foreign Agricultural Service. April 2022
“Fighting Famine”. United Nations Famine Prevention and Response Coordinator. 2023
“Peace, Dignity and Equality on a Healthy Planet ‘Food’”. United Nations.
