How
Conflict
Drives Hunger
Conflict forces families from their homes, destroys economies, ruins infrastructure and makes food nearly impossible to find or afford. As the recipient of the 2020 Nobel Peace Prize, the World Food Programme is there before, during and after upheaval to help families survive and recover.
65%
of the worldโs hungriest people live in conflict-affected areas.
120 Million
have been displaced from their homes by persecution, conflict or violence.
#1
Conflict is the primary driver of hunger in the world.
World's Worst Conflicts
Over 2 years of conflict in Gaza has decimated the region and left 1.6 million people hungry.
Almost 3 years of civil war in Sudan has 21 million people hungry and created famine in 2 places.
The war in Ukraine has devastated the country after 4 years. 5 million people require food assistance.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo has experienced internal conflict for several years leaving 28 million people hungry.
How Conflict Causes Hunger
Conflict Creates Chaos
When violence erupts, it sends shock waves through the region. Infrastructure is destroyed, imports cease, inflation rates rise, currency devalues, roads are cut off and jobs are lost. All of this makes it exceedingly difficult for people to find enough food.
Refugee Crises
Next, when itโs no longer safe at home and people canโt make ends meet, many of them have no choice but to leave โ often bringing only what they can carry. Without resources, finding food in isolated, often bleak environments, becomes even harder.
Child Malnutrition
Finally, the combination of destabilization and displacement almost inevitably leads to hunger, which is especially cruel to children. A child living in a country ravaged by violence is more than twice as likely to be malnourished and to be out of school.
WFP in Conflict Zones
The World Food Programme (WFP) faces conflict head-on and goes where others canโt to reach the most vulnerable people in the world.
Food Aid
Cash & Vouchers
School Meals
Rebuilding
WFP's IMPACT in 2024
5.5 billion pounds
of food were distributed in 2024
27.6 million
women and children received specialized nutrition assistance in 2024
$2 billion
was distributed in cash and vouchers in 2024
18
different food items are typically available for purchase
20 million
children in crisis-hit countries receive WFP school meals every year
82%
of the people WFP served in 2024 were women and children
1.9 million
small-scale farmers received WFP support in 2024
15,000
gardens or water sources were planted, built or repaired
Stories of
Conflict and Hunger
- News Release
- April 17, 2026
- News Release
- April 14, 2026
- News Release
- April 9, 2026