Topic: 2024-Famine in Conflict Zones
Country: United Kingdom
Delegate Name: Ella Duffner
The United Kingdom recognizes famine in conflict zones as an incredibly prominent and pressing issue in our world. Conflict and food insecurity go hand in hand, and prolonged conflict can have devastating effects on civilians and greatly decrease food security. Famine is a man-made devastating failure that we must work to address immediately.
One way the UK has been working to alleviate famine in conflict zones is through humanitarian aid packages. The United Kingdom is one of the largest humanitarian aid donors, donating to both individual countries and UN aid organizations, such as CERF (Central Emergency Response Fund). Providing immediate aid to those in conflict zones is vital, and donations such as these can be incredibly helpful in mitigating civilian harm and death. The UK also urges its fellow member states to continue and follow through with aid donations and pledges to both countries experiencing conflict and UN organizations working to provide relief.
The United Kingdom works with and provides funding for NGOs working to end famine in conflict zones. One example of this is Save the Children UK, which works to provide aid and spread awareness of the issues associated with famine, particularly in its effects on children. NGOs such as this can be a vital resource to both people and governments struggling with famine.
The United Kingdom recognizes that starvation being used as a weapon of war is unacceptable, and we must also work to ensure aid is received, rather than disrupted by conflicting parties. Disrupting the reception of aid and weaponizing hunger is a violation of International Humanitarian Law, and must be stopped. It is just as important to protect groups providing humanitarian relief as it is to provide the relief itself.
The United Kingdom has always and will always continue to work for the safety and security of those in conflict zones. With a focus on ending famine, the importance of providing immediate, efficient, and effective aid cannot be understated.
Sources:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/addressing-the-link-between-conflict-and-famine
https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/content/dam/gb/reports/policy/Hunger%20-%20a%20lethal%20weapon%20of%20war%207th%20pp.pdf
https://cerf.un.org/
https://committees.parliament.uk/writtenevidence/8587/pdf/
