Now in its fourth month, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has prevented the export of grain, fertilizer and other agricultural products vital to the world’s food supply. This has been devastating for people living in poor and food-insecure countries, as desperate communities without a reliable food supply could be forced to compete for limited resources or seek support from opportunistic non-government actors. This burgeoning food security crisis not only threatens to exacerbate global humanitarian needs on an unprecedented scale — it could also amplify or trigger conflict in fragile countries and regions.

With the potential for a global food crisis to greatly accelerate and exacerbate conflict dynamics in fragile states, the international community must adopt a conflict lens to prevent a humanitarian disaster of even greater proportions from unfolding.  

On June 30, USIP hosted a conversation with leading experts on how the international community can work together to help prevent or mitigate the possibility of violence caused by a food security crisis of this scale.

Continue the conversation on Twitter with #HungerAndConflict.

Hear a one-on-one interview with Arif Husain in our Event Extra podcast.

Speakers

Lise Grande, introductory remarks
President and CEO, U.S. Institute of Peace

Isobel Colemankeynote remarks
Deputy Administrator for Policy and Programming, U.S. Agency for International Development

Abdi Aynte
Former Minisiter of Planning and Economic Promotion, Somalia

Arif Husain
Chief Economist, World Food Program

Haneen Sayed
Lead Human Development Specialist, Middle East and North Africa, World Bank 

Ambassador Johnnie Carson, moderator
Senior Advisor, U.S. Institute of Peace 

Related Publications

For Peace in Sahel, African and U.S. Experts Urge Focused Partnership

For Peace in Sahel, African and U.S. Experts Urge Focused Partnership

Thursday, February 22, 2024

By: Katia Cavigelli;  James Rupert

The past month has sharpened a decade-old question for U.S. and international policymakers: How best, in 2024, to help stabilize what is now the world’s largest single zone of military rule and violent conflicts — Africa’s Sahel region? After three military-ruled Sahel states withdrew from the West African regional community in January, those juntas last week proclaimed an alliance aimed at resisting international pressures, including those for their return to elected civilian rule. Former U.S. and African officials yesterday urged what they called vital changes in U.S. and allied policies to prevent a dangerous spread of the Sahel’s crises.

Type: Analysis

Fragility & Resilience

Riots in Papua New Guinea Are a Warning: Urgent Change is Needed

Riots in Papua New Guinea Are a Warning: Urgent Change is Needed

Thursday, January 11, 2024

By: Gordon Peake, Ph.D.

Riots erupted in Papua New Guinea's capital yesterday, laying bare the hollowness of governance that is failing to meet public needs, thus risking deeper violence and instability. U.S attention to the Pacific Islands' largest and most populous nation is increasing, partly because it is an arena for geopolitical competition with China. While Papua New Guinea's leaders are good at rolling out the red carpet for visiting partners, the state fails lamentably in providing basic services for its people. This week’s violence is a wake-up call for U.S and international policymakers to re-focus on this root of the country’s instability.

Type: Analysis

Democracy & GovernanceFragility & Resilience

From Ruins to Resilience: The Path Toward Recovery in Ukraine

From Ruins to Resilience: The Path Toward Recovery in Ukraine

Tuesday, October 10, 2023

By: Jaco Cilliers

Despite the destruction wrought by Russia’s invasion, Ukraine has continued to provide services to its people at an exemplary level throughout the war. This commendable resilience stems from significant investments and reforms made over the last 30 years. Notably, bolstering institutional capacity, the digitalization of public services, robust engagement with civil society, and a deeply rooted culture of voluntarism have all played crucial roles. Furthermore, the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), where I serve as Ukraine’s resident representative, has been instrumental in building resilience across all strata of Ukrainian society.

Type: Analysis

Fragility & ResilienceReconciliation

In Earth’s Climate Crisis, Africa Demands a Fairer Sharing of Costs

In Earth’s Climate Crisis, Africa Demands a Fairer Sharing of Costs

Thursday, September 14, 2023

By: Tegan Blaine, Ph.D.;  Emmanuel Davalillo Hidalgo

Earth’s intensifying storms, heat, droughts and floods underscore that humanity is falling behind in its race against climate change. With global powers and institutions still debating how to transform economies and share the costs of surviving a destabilizing climate, the planet’s most vulnerable continent managed partial advances this month toward a regional consensus. The first-ever Africa Climate Summit amplified demands for a robust, fairer collective response to a warming planet — but fell short of forging a unified African position. Critically, it missed a chance to outline a strategy for dealing with the combined impacts of climate and violent conflicts.

Type: Analysis

EnvironmentFragility & Resilience

View All Publications