UN Chief Warns Against Use of Hunger as Weapon of War in Gaza and Sudan

UN Chief Warns Against Use of Hunger as Weapon of War in Gaza and Sudan
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United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres has issued a stark warning against the use of hunger as a weapon of war, emphasizing the urgency of protecting civilians in conflict zones such as Gaza and Sudan, where humanitarian conditions continue to deteriorate.

Speaking via video at the UN Food Systems Summit in Ethiopia, Guterres stated, “Conflicts continue to spread hunger in Gaza, Sudan, and beyond. Hunger fuels instability and undermines peace. We must never accept its use as a weapon of war.” His remarks come amid alarming reports of rising malnutrition and preventable deaths in Gaza.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recently raised the alarm over “extremely concerning” levels of malnutrition in the Gaza Strip. According to WHO, July recorded the highest number of deaths linked to malnutrition this year, with 74 deaths reported since January—24 of them children under the age of five.

Gaza has faced a crippling blockade imposed by Israel since the war began in October 2023. According to the Gaza Government Media Office, only 73 humanitarian aid trucks are entering the territory each day—far below the minimum requirement of over 600 trucks to meet the needs of the population.

Meanwhile, the civil war in Sudan, which erupted in April 2023, has left tens of thousands dead and displaced over 14 million people. The United Nations describes the situation as the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with severe food insecurity affecting millions.

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) also highlighted the absence of an organized aid distribution mechanism inside Gaza as a major obstacle, urging the establishment of safe corridors to ensure that humanitarian assistance reaches those in need.