Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger

Creating a hunger-free world in the 21st century will require prevention and resolution of violent conflicts, as well as a concerted effort to rebuild war-torn societies. Between 1970 and 1990 violent conflicts led to hunger and reduced food production and economic growth in 43 developing countries....

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores principales: Messer, Ellen, Cohen, Marc J., D'Costa, Jashinta
Formato: Brief
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Food Policy Research Institute 1998
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161474
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author Messer, Ellen
Cohen, Marc J.
D'Costa, Jashinta
author_browse Cohen, Marc J.
D'Costa, Jashinta
Messer, Ellen
author_facet Messer, Ellen
Cohen, Marc J.
D'Costa, Jashinta
author_sort Messer, Ellen
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Creating a hunger-free world in the 21st century will require prevention and resolution of violent conflicts, as well as a concerted effort to rebuild war-torn societies. Between 1970 and 1990 violent conflicts led to hunger and reduced food production and economic growth in 43 developing countries. The reverse is also true, however: hunger and lack of access to basic necessities often lie at the root of violent conflicts. Conflict destroys land, water, biological, and social resources for food production, while military expenditures lower investments in health, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Conflict leads to food insecurity through such deliberate acts as sieges of cities, stripping of victims’ assets, destruction of markets, elimination of health care, and breakup of communities. Other consequences of war are less intentional: people, including farmers and pastoralists, lose their livelihoods when workplaces become inaccessible. Once conflict ends, land mines must be removed, water systems refurbished, trees replanted, housing rebuilt, and communities revitalized. Without essential food and infrastructure, fragile peace can easily revert to conflict. Food and economic insecurity and natural resource scarcities—real and perceived—also can be major sources of conflict. Breaking the links between hunger and conflict must become a goal of food, agricultural, environmental, and economic development policy. For the international community this will entail paying closer attention to relief of food insecurity that can lead to conflict; delivery of development aid in ways that prevent competition leading to conflict; distribution of essential food aid in ways that do not prolong conflict; and special attention to reconstruction assistance. The authors end the brief with policy recommendations and suggestions for further research.
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spelling CGSpace1614742025-01-10T06:45:20Z Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger Messer, Ellen Cohen, Marc J. D'Costa, Jashinta social conflict hunger conflict management Creating a hunger-free world in the 21st century will require prevention and resolution of violent conflicts, as well as a concerted effort to rebuild war-torn societies. Between 1970 and 1990 violent conflicts led to hunger and reduced food production and economic growth in 43 developing countries. The reverse is also true, however: hunger and lack of access to basic necessities often lie at the root of violent conflicts. Conflict destroys land, water, biological, and social resources for food production, while military expenditures lower investments in health, education, agriculture, and environmental protection. Conflict leads to food insecurity through such deliberate acts as sieges of cities, stripping of victims’ assets, destruction of markets, elimination of health care, and breakup of communities. Other consequences of war are less intentional: people, including farmers and pastoralists, lose their livelihoods when workplaces become inaccessible. Once conflict ends, land mines must be removed, water systems refurbished, trees replanted, housing rebuilt, and communities revitalized. Without essential food and infrastructure, fragile peace can easily revert to conflict. Food and economic insecurity and natural resource scarcities—real and perceived—also can be major sources of conflict. Breaking the links between hunger and conflict must become a goal of food, agricultural, environmental, and economic development policy. For the international community this will entail paying closer attention to relief of food insecurity that can lead to conflict; delivery of development aid in ways that prevent competition leading to conflict; distribution of essential food aid in ways that do not prolong conflict; and special attention to reconstruction assistance. The authors end the brief with policy recommendations and suggestions for further research. 1998 2024-11-21T09:55:57Z 2024-11-21T09:55:57Z Brief https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161474 en Open Access application/pdf International Food Policy Research Institute Messer, Ellen; Cohen, Marc J.; D'Costa, Jashinta. 1998. Food from peace;breaking the links between conflict and hunger. 2020 Policy Brief. 50. https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161474
spellingShingle social conflict
hunger
conflict management
Messer, Ellen
Cohen, Marc J.
D'Costa, Jashinta
Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title_full Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title_fullStr Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title_full_unstemmed Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title_short Food from peace: breaking the links between conflict and hunger
title_sort food from peace breaking the links between conflict and hunger
topic social conflict
hunger
conflict management
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/161474
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