Protecting civilians from conflict induced hunger

21 April 2020. Conflict- induced hunger is one of the greatest humanitarian challenges facing civilians in most conflict-affected countries.

Two years after the adoption of the landmark Security Council resolution 2417 (2018) evidence has continued to show that war and conflicts are one of the major driving forces behind food insecurity, taking a heavy and devastating toll on civilians, including women and children. This trend needs to mobilize all actors involved in conflict prevention and resolution to preserve the well-being of future generations. 

• Qu Dongyu, Director-General, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations - 
• David Beasley, Executive Director, World Food Programme 
• Jan Egeland, Secretary-General, Norwegian Refugee Council 

Concept Note (S/2020/299): Maintenance of international peace and security: protecting civilians affected by conflict-induced hunger

Related

21 April 2020. ROME – COVID-19 will double number of people facing food crises unless swift action is taken

The COVID-19 pandemic could almost double the number of people suffering acute hunger, pushing it to more than a quarter of a billion by the end of 2020, the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) warned today as it and other partners released a new report on food crises around the world.


The number of people facing acute food insecurity (IPC/CH 3 or worse) stands to rise to 265 million in 2020, up by 130 million from the 135 million in 2019, as a result of the economic impact of COVID-19, according to a WFP projection. The estimate was announced alongside the release of the Global Report on Food Crises, produced by WFP and 15 other humanitarian and development partners.


In this context, it is vital that food assistance programme be maintained, including WFP’s own programmes which offer a lifeline to almost 100 million vulnerable people globally.

KEY DATA

• Some 265 million people in low and middle-income countries will be in acute food insecurity by the end of 2020 unless swift action is taken (source: WFP projection).
• The majority of people suffering acute food insecurity in 2019 were in countries affected by conflict (77 million), climate change (34 million) and economic crises (24 million people). (source: Global Report on Food Crises).
• 10 countries constituted the worst food crises in 2019: Yemen, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Ethiopia, South Sudan, Syria, the Sudan, Nigeria and Haiti. (source: Global Report on Food Crises).
• South Sudan had 61 percent of its population in a state of food crisis (or worse) in 2019. Six other countries also had at least 35 percent of their populations in a state of food crisis: Sudan, Yemen, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Afghanistan, Syrian Arab Republic and Haiti. (source: Global Report on Food Crises).
• These ten countries accounted for 66 percent of the total population in Crisis or worse (IPC/CH Phase 3 or above) or 88 million people. (source: Global Report on Food Crises).
  

“COVID-19 is potentially catastrophic for millions who are already hanging by a thread. It is a hammer blow for millions more who can only eat if they earn a wage. Lockdowns and global economic recession have already decimated their nest eggs. It only takes one more shock – like COVID-19 – to push them over the edge. We must collectively act now to mitigate the impact of this global catastrophe.” Arif Husain (see picture) WFP’s Senior Economist

MULTIMEDIA ASSETS

• Photos showing food crises countries and impact on COVID-19 available here.
• Video News Release on South Sudan and threat of COVID-19 available here.
• Broadcast quality footage on food crisis countries here.

WFP Global Food Report Broll

Shot: February/March/April 2020

Democratic Republic of Congo/Yemen/South Sudan/Syria

TRT: 2:22

SHOTLIST:

:00-:17

GV Distribution

WFP distribution. People waiting in line, having their temperature taken and receiving food
assistance, in accordance with Covid-19 preventative measures

Shot: 30Mar20

North Kivu, Eastern DRC

:17-:41

Kavira Colette Kasali, mother of 6 children returns home from WFP food distribution

And prepares to cook.

Following a violent armed group attack in her home village of Lusogha ( Rutshuru territory, North Kivu Province, Eastern DR Congo), a village located around 20 kilometers from Katwe (place of where she currently lives with her family). She has been in Katwe for over a year.

Shot: 30Mar20

North Kivu, Eastern DRC

:41-1:04

GV Taiz is on the frontline between the warring parties in Yemen

Shot: 10Feb20

Taiz, Yemen

1:04-1:22

Distribution of WFP food vouchers

WFP has introduced hygiene mitigation measures at all food and voucher distribution points and health centres. At nutrition centres, mothers and children are being given a two-month supply of nutrition supplements to limit how often they need to visit the facility.

Shot: 3Apr20

Sana’a, Yeme

1:22-1:37

People receiving Covid-19 awareness training on how to recognise symptoms and preventative measures.

Shot: 18Apr20

Juba, South Sudan

1:37-1:53

People waiting in line with social distancing at distribution as food rations are prepared by
woman with masks and gloves.

Shot: 3Apr20

South Sudan

1:53-2:22

WFP bread distribution

Sanitization, social distancing and other COVID19 prevention methods being used at WFP bread distribution. Around 2000 household receive bread and flyers about COVID19 in Salheen, a poor neighborhood in Aleppo. It was under opposition control till late 2016 and you can see massive destruction of buildings. People here rely on daily or weekly wages, which have stopped now due to precautionary measures for COVID-19. 

Shot: 25Mar20

Aleppo, Syria