Dispatches from the Field — The Genocide Report
Washington, DC — 6 June 2020
In modern conflict, famine is rarely accidental. The manipulation of food systems and humanitarian access has become a deliberate strategy of war, placing civilians at the center of both conflict and survival.
In situations of armed conflict, access to food is frequently manipulated as a tool of control. Governments and armed groups may restrict supplies, block humanitarian aid, or exploit food insecurity to influence civilian behavior. These tactics place humanitarian actors in an increasingly complex environment, where delivering assistance requires navigating both logistical constraints and deliberate obstruction.
International humanitarian law prohibits the use of starvation as a method of warfare. Despite this prohibition, the practice persists across multiple conflicts, reflecting gaps in enforcement and accountability.
Case Study: Yemen
Yemen represents one of the most severe contemporary examples of conflict-induced famine. Since the escalation of conflict in 2015, the country has faced a convergence of war, economic collapse, and public health crises.
Millions of civilians remain in acute need of food assistance. The destruction of infrastructure, disruption of supply chains, and restrictions on aid delivery have contributed to widespread food insecurity. A significant portion of the population relies on humanitarian assistance for survival.
The crisis is further compounded by disease outbreaks, including cholera, and the added strain of the COVID-19 pandemic. Limited testing capacity, shortages of medical supplies, and weakened health systems have reduced the ability to respond effectively.
Efforts to mitigate famine conditions have been hindered by continued hostilities. Temporary ceasefires have provided limited relief, but sustained improvement remains dependent on a broader resolution to the conflict.
Case Study: South Sudan
In South Sudan, protracted conflict has disrupted agricultural production and displaced large segments of the population, contributing to recurrent famine conditions.
Food insecurity remains widespread, with a significant percentage of the population unable to meet basic nutritional needs. In some areas, civilians face restrictions that limit access to farmland, while insecurity discourages cultivation.
Reports indicate that conflict dynamics—including looting, destruction of crops, and population displacement—have directly affected food availability. These conditions illustrate how violence and governance failures intersect to produce famine risk.
The presence of COVID-19 has introduced additional pressures, particularly in displacement settings where access to healthcare and sanitation is limited.
Case Study: Syria
In Syria, the use of siege tactics has drawn sustained international scrutiny. Restrictions on food, water, medical supplies, and humanitarian access have been documented in multiple areas throughout the conflict.
Such measures have contributed to severe food insecurity and have been used to exert pressure on civilian populations in contested regions. The destruction of agricultural resources and infrastructure has further weakened food systems.
A large proportion of the population relies on humanitarian assistance, with poverty and inflation significantly reducing access to basic goods. Ongoing displacement and insecurity continue to disrupt livelihoods and access to food.
Humanitarian Access and Constraints
Humanitarian organizations operating in famine-affected conflict zones face significant challenges. Access is often restricted by active hostilities, bureaucratic barriers, or deliberate obstruction by parties to the conflict.
These constraints limit the ability to deliver food and medical assistance at the scale required. In some cases, aid itself becomes politicized, used as leverage in negotiations or withheld to achieve strategic objectives.
The effectiveness of humanitarian response is therefore closely tied to broader political and security dynamics.
Starvation in conflict is not simply a humanitarian crisis—it is often the result of deliberate policy choices designed to control populations and weaken opposition.”
Atrocity Prevention Lens
The use of starvation as a method of warfare is a recognized risk factor for atrocity crimes. Patterns such as siege tactics, obstruction of aid, and destruction of food systems indicate a deliberate disregard for civilian protection.
Addressing famine in conflict settings requires more than humanitarian assistance. It necessitates accountability for violations of international law, sustained diplomatic engagement, and mechanisms to ensure access to affected populations.
Legal Framework
International Humanitarian Law (IHL)
Prohibits the starvation of civilians as a method of warfare and protects objects indispensable to survival, including food supplies and agricultural infrastructure.
Geneva Conventions & Additional Protocols
Establish legal protections for civilians and restrict tactics that target essential resources.
UN Security Council Resolution 2417 (2018)
Condemns the use of starvation as a weapon of war and calls for accountability in conflict-induced food insecurity.
Suggested Citation
“Conflict and Famine.” Dispatches from the Field. The Genocide Report, Washington, DC, 6 June 2020.
Photo Credit
A child in Yemen eats a ready-to-use therapeutic food bag/UNICEF – from USAID photos – License under CC. 2.0
About TGR
The Genocide Report (TGR) publishes analysis and educational resources on conflict, international law, and atrocity prevention. Its work seeks to bridge academic research, field realities, and public understanding of mass violence and civilian protection.