Critical Hunger Resolution introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives

WASHINGTON (February 9, 2022) —World Vision commends the introduction of the House Resolution, Condemning the use of hunger as a weapon of war and recognizing the effect of conflict on global food security and famine. This resolution draws attention to the confluence of hunger induced by conflict and condemns the use of hunger as a weapon in all its forms.

Famine-like conditions remain a possibility in 43 countries, with 45 million people facing emergency or catastrophic levels of food insecurity. Of the 155 million people around the world experiencing crisis levels of food insecurity or worse (IPC 3), nearly 100 million live in environments where conflict was the main driver of food crises. Conflict disrupts livelihoods, markets, trade, and crop production and harvests. Insecurity driven by conflict can also hinder humanitarian access, leaving communities without essential assistance.

This bipartisan resolution condemns:

• the use of starvation of civilians as a weapon of warfare;
• the intentional and reckless destruction of tools for food production, farmland, and other agricultural assets;
• the denial of humanitarian access;
• and the willful interruption of market systems.

Furthermore, the resolution calls on the U.S. government to use diplomatic efforts to address instances where hunger is being used as a weapon, address food insecurity through continued humanitarian response, ensure interagency preparedness and integrations, and to consider additional tools, where appropriate to hold individuals, governments, and militias accountable for using hunger in conflict.

“Children are the most vulnerable victims of conflict,” said Margaret Schuler, World Vision’s senior vice president of international programs. “World Vision continues to work in the most fragile contexts to bring lifesaving assistance to children and their families. It is critical for leaders such as the U.S. government to recognize the effects of conflict on hunger and continue to support humanitarian assistance for children trapped by conflict.”

World Vision is grateful to Representatives Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Peter Meijer (R-MI), Bobby Rush (D-IL), and Tracey Mann (R-KS) for their leadership on this critical issue.

This resolution is supported by the following organizations: 1,000 Days, Action Against Hunger, Alliance for Peacebuilding, Bread for the World, Caux Scholars Program, Center for Policy Analysis of Horn of Africa, Charity & Security Network , Concern Worldwide US, Food for the Hungry US, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Ghais Mediation & Facilitation, LLC, Islamic Relief USA, Medical Teams International, Mercy Corps, Nonviolent Peaceforce, Norwegian Refugee Council USA, Oxfam America, Refugees International, Save the Children, The HALO Trust (USA), The Hunger Project, UNICEF USA, World Vision, Young Adult Empowerment Initiative

About World Vision:
World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization conducting relief, development, and advocacy activities in its work with children, families, and their communities in nearly 100 countries to help them reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. World Vision serves all people regardless of religion, race, ethnicity, or gender. For more information, please visit www.WorldVision.org/media-center/ or on Twitter @WorldVisionUSA.