Global Arms Trade Fuels Rising Food Crises, Welthungerhilfe Warns
Wars and conflicts are increasingly driving global hunger crises, with 20 food emergencies impacting nearly 140 million people in 2024 alone, according to Welthungerhilfe (WHH). The organization warns that ongoing conflicts, particularly in the Middle East, are likely to exacerbate the situation and push more people into food insecurity.
Increase in Global Arms Deliveries
The surge in conflicts is linked to a significant increase in the global arms trade. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), arms transfers between states rose by 9.2 percent between 2021 and 2025 compared to the previous five-year period SIPRI. Demand for weapons, especially in Europe, has increased sharply.
Welthungerhilfe’s Response and Concerns
Welthungerhilfe Secretary General Mathias Mogge highlighted the devastating impact of conflict on vulnerable populations. The organization is actively involved in providing life-saving assistance in crisis regions, including distributing food, water, and sanitation facilities to refugees and internally displaced persons.
Mogge specifically pointed to the dire situation in Sudan, where a brutal civil war has displaced nine million people and left 20 million facing acute hunger Welthungerhilfe. He emphasized the increasing difficulty of delivering humanitarian aid in the country, with local staff repeatedly facing danger.
The Link Between Conflict and Hunger
Welthungerhilfe stresses that violent conflicts are a primary driver of forced displacement and food insecurity. The organization advocates for sustainable solutions to address the root causes of conflict and prioritize peacebuilding efforts to reduce the number of people forced to flee their homes.
Global Displacement Figures
As of May 2024, a record 120 million people worldwide are forcibly displaced, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) Welthungerhilfe. Most refugees seek safety in neighboring countries, which are often among the world’s poorest.
Welthungerhilfe’s 2024 annual review also highlighted the impact of crises in regions like Madagascar and Gaza, where droughts and armed conflict are causing widespread suffering Welthungerhilfe.