The weaponization of food is a disturbing tactic in contemporary warfare, where access to food is deliberately manipulated to achieve strategic military objectives. This practice not only contravenes international humanitarian law but also threatens human rights, particularly the rights of children.
As I write, thousands of children suffer from hunger and starvation, especially in areas ravaged by military aggression, such as Gaza and Ukraine, and civil and political strife, such as Sudan, Afghanistan and Somalia. As conflicts rage in these areas, the impact of food weaponization on vulnerable populations becomes increasingly evident. Here I’ll explore the implications of food weaponization on human rights, especially children’s rights, and underscore the responsibility of world leaders and the United Nations (UN) to address these issues.
THE CONTEXT OF FOOD WEAPONIZATION
Food weaponization involves using food scarcity as a strategic weapon—destroying farms and infrastructure, imposing blockades that prevent food from reaching people, or manipulating food supplies to spark famine conditions.
Such actions violate the principles of proportionality and distinction outlined in international humanitarian law,which protect civilians and civilian infrastructure during armed conflicts. It’s a tactic designed to break morale, displace populations, and weaken resistance, all at the expense of innocent lives.
In Gaza, the ongoing conflict and blockade have created a dire humanitarian crisis. According to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), about 80% of Gaza’s population depends on aid, with many children suffering from severe malnutrition. The blockade, primarily imposed by Israel, restricts essential goods—including food—leading to alarming rates of starvation, malnutrition and stunted growth among children.
Meanwhile, in Sudan, ongoing conflict has destroyed key agricultural resources, leaving millions without enough food. The World Food Programme (WFP) reports that over 18 million people need humanitarian assistance, with children bearing the brunt of this crisis. The deliberate use of starvation as a weapon of war violates children’s rights to food, health, and survival.
And in Ukraine, the Russian invasion has disrupted global food supplies. The blockade of Ukrainian ports has prevented the export of vital grains, causing global food prices to soar and shortages to worsen. This disruption doesn’t just affect Ukraine—it hits vulnerable populations worldwide, especially children, who are now at greater risk of hunger and malnutrition.
The right to adequate food is a fundamental human right, recognized in international agreements like the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (Article 25) and the Convention on the Rights of the Child (Article 24). These treaties obligate governments to ensure that everyone, especially children, has access to sufficient, nutritious food. When food is weaponized, these rights are flagrantly violated, leading to devastating consequences for children’s physical health and mental wellbeing.
Children are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of food insecurity. Malnutrition stunts growth, weakens immune systems, and hampers brain development, with long-lasting effects. The psychological toll is equally severe—hunger and trauma can cause anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Children living in conflict zones are also at increased risk of exploitation and abuse, making their situation even more precarious.
IMPACTS
The mental health effects of food insecurity, especially among children, are profound. Hunger and malnutrition can lead to long-term psychological issues like anxiety and depression. Witnessing violence and suffering only intensifies these effects, leaving deep scars. p. Moreover, the social stigma around food scarcity can isolate children, hampering their social development and sense of belonging. This sense of isolation can ripple through communities, weakening social bonds and perpetuating cycles of trauma and hardship.
The economic fallout of food weaponization is far-reaching. Disruptions in food supplies cause prices to soar, making basic necessities unaffordable for many families. In conflict zones, agricultural collapse leads to job losses and economic instability, trapping communities in a vicious cycle of poverty.
For example, the war in Ukraine has contributed to a sharp rise in global hunger since 2019, affecting millions around the world. The combined effects of conflict, climate shocks, and the pandemic have severely undermined global food security and nutrition.
Politically, food weaponization can be a tool for governments to manipulate populations— controlling access to food to suppress dissent or sway public opinion. This tactic can escalate tensions both within and between nations, complicating diplomacy and peace negotiations. Addressing this issue requires a strong international response—failure to act can lead to broader instability and conflict.
As food is weaponized, existing conflicts deepen, and social inequalities grow. Competition for inadequate food distribution in the Gaza strip for example, has resulted in violent confrontations and killings, undermining efforts to provide humanitarian assistance.
Food insecurity fuels violence and unrest, making peace even harder to achieve. The UN reports that 60% of people suffering from hunger live in conflict zones, illustrating how interconnected conflict and food scarcity are.
Moreover, marginalized groups—women, children, the elderly—are hit hardest, facing additional barriers like displacement and violence that prevent them from accessing enough nutritious food. Tackling these inequalities is critical if we want sustainable peace and stability, as food insecurity not only harms individuals but threatens entire societies.
URGENT NEED FOR SOLUTIONS
The flagrant act of private parties distributing food assistance in Gaza — which is inadequate and leading to people being killed in their rush to find rations, is another form of the weaponization of food. Multiple UN agencies that have well-honed expertise in coordinating large-scale food distribution and they are being sidelined in favour of private parties at the behest of the same governments engaged in one-side of the conflict.
In cases like Ukraine there are also grave violations of children’s rights with abduction and reeducation programs, and in Sudan there is displacement and mass starvation. Strengthening the UN is the only solution to counteract these heinous crimes by applying international legal mechanisms, advocating for better delivery of humanitarian aid, raising awareness among the general populace, and promoting sustainable food systems.
The UN Charter Chapter VII includes sanctions against states or entities that weaponize food. Strengthening the UN’s credibility in this context requires a commitment to uphold its principles and ensure accountability for the violations by member states.
Civil society organizations are vital in advocating for children’s rights and holding governments accountable. By documenting violations, raising awareness, and supporting affected communities, these organizations can amplify the voices of those voiceless impacted by these issues and in turn ensure that conflict resolution initiatives are inclusive and address the needs of the most vulnerable.
