UK Urges UN Security Council: Hunger is a Choice, Not an Inevitable Fate for Civilians

Eight years on from the adoption of Resolution 2417, conflict continues to be a primary catalyst for acute food insecurity worldwide. Last year marked a significant and alarming milestone, as famine was declared simultaneously in two war-torn regions: Sudan and Gaza. The situation of extreme food insecurity in both areas remains dire.

These famines are not natural disasters but rather man-made tragedies. They serve as a stark reminder that hunger is often the result of deliberate choices that deprive civilians of food, humanitarian aid, and essential services. Tragically, it is the children who bear the brunt of this suffering.

Urgent Humanitarian Access Required

What is needed is unequivocal: rapid, safe, and unobstructed humanitarian access; a cessation of attacks on food infrastructure; and, ultimately, the resolution of the conflicts that perpetuate hunger. The impact of conflict on food security extends beyond traditional battlefields; it is also disrupting global supply chains for food, fuel, and fertilisers, with ramifications that resonate far and wide.

Russia’s aggressive actions against shipping, civilian vessels, and Black Sea ports have severely undermined one of the world’s vital grain export routes. Once heralded as the breadbasket of the world, Ukraine now finds its agricultural infrastructure continually damaged by ongoing hostilities, impacting millions who rely on its produce.

It is essential that infrastructure critical to food production, transport, and distribution is safeguarded. We urge Russia to halt these attacks and adhere to international humanitarian law to mitigate further suffering.

Disruption of Supply Chains

Moreover, Iran’s military actions and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz have exacerbated disruptions within supply chains and fertiliser markets. As the Secretary-General warned, these developments lead to heightened food insecurity, diminished harvests, and increased suffering, particularly affecting the most vulnerable populations.

We acknowledge the progress made under the Secretary-General’s Taskforce to address the implications for food security arising from these crises. However, we implore Iran to reopen the Strait, ensure freedom of navigation, and respect the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Both Iran and Russia have curtailed their grain exports, resulting in soaring global food prices. The most vulnerable, particularly those in import-dependent countries, will face the harshest consequences.

Addressing Structural Vulnerabilities

Conflict, coupled with a blatant disregard for international humanitarian law, exacerbates existing climate stress, debt issues, and other structural vulnerabilities. With the strengthening El Niño phenomenon, it has become increasingly urgent to take coordinated action to bolster resilience and protect those most at risk.

We advocate for the full implementation of Resolution 2417, which mandates the Council to address not only local crises but also conflicts that threaten global food security. While we possess the tools to identify emerging famine risks, it is crucial to safeguard and enhance these technologies.

Early warning systems must be transformed into early action protocols. It is imperative that warnings are acted upon, and violations of humanitarian law result in accountability.

Commitment to Early Warning Systems

The UK remains steadfast in its commitment to collaborate with partners to enhance early warning mechanisms and expedite emergency support, including pre-arranged disaster risk financing. Resolution 2417 provides a robust framework, and the Council has the necessary tools at its disposal.

We must translate early warnings into timely actions, uphold international humanitarian law, and ensure accountability before hunger escalates into famine.