New Report on Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict, Highlighting the Impact of Siege-like Tactics

21 October 2024

Our spot report, ‘Food Insecurity in Armed Conflict and the Use of Siege-like Tactics’ addresses the urgent issue of food insecurity caused by siege tactics in conflict zones and explores how international humanitarian law can mitigate these impacts.

Armed conflicts are a major driver of food insecurity, with a significant portion of acutely food-insecure individuals residing in areas affected by violence. The report reveals how certain tactics, such as restricting access to essential resources, deepen civilian suffering and can even lead to famine or starvation.

The report’s key findings include:

  • Recent Trends: An examination of the correlation between siege-like tactics and worsening food insecurity in conflict-affected regions.
  • Legal Framework: Insights into how international humanitarian law (IHL) can prevent or mitigate the devastating effects on civilian populations, specifically concerning food insecurity, famine, or starvation.
  • Global Responses: A look at international efforts to combat these issues, with recommendations for stakeholders to enhance global cooperation in addressing food insecurity in conflict settings.

Paola Gaeta, Director of the Geneva Academy and Professor of International Law at the Geneva Graduate Institute, emphasizes the urgency of the findings: ‘While siege-like tactics are not outright prohibited, Parties to conflict must respect IHL obligations. However, recent cases illustrate the severe consequences on civilians when these tactics are employed. This report highlights the importance of respecting IHL to protect civilians and secure access to essential resources.’

This publication is part of the ‘IHL in Focus’ project, which aims provide states, international organizations, civil society and academics with tools of IHL analysis that are independent, impartial and pursued in accordance with the highest academic standards to support advocacy and humanitarian diplomacy, with the ultimate goal of contributing towards increased respect for IHL.

MORE ON THIS THEMATIC AREA

IHL Lab Geneva Academy News

The Geneva IHL Lab: Bridging Theory and Practice

21 May 2025

The Geneva Academy has launched a practice-oriented course designed to equip our Master of Advanced Studies students with skills in open-source research and legal analysis under international humanitarian law.

Read more

Mô Bleeker News

UNSG Special Adviser Mô Bleeker Becomes Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy

15 April 2025

Mô Bleeker, UNSG Special Adviser on the Responsibility to Protect, shares how her work as Senior Fellow at the Geneva Academy contributes to our shared goals.

Read more

Warzone Event

Advanced IHL Seminar for Academics and Policymakers

25-29 August 2025, 09:00-17:30

Co-hosted with the ICRC, this event aims to enhance the capacity of academics to teach and research international humanitarian law, while also equipping policymakers with an in-depth understanding of ongoing legal debates.

Read more

Neutrotechology Project

Neurotechnology and Human Rights

Started in August 2023

This project addresses the human rights implications stemming from the development of neurotechnology for commercial, non-therapeutic ends, and is based on a partnership between the Geneva Academy, the Geneva University Neurocentre and the UN Human Rights Council Advisory Committee. 

Read more

Screenshot of the RULAC webpage Project

Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts (RULAC)

Started in May 2007

The Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts project (RULAC) is a unique online portal that identifies and classifies all situations of armed violence that amount to an armed conflict under international humanitarian law (IHL). It is primarily a legal reference source for a broad audience, including non-specialists, interested in issues surrounding the classification of armed conflicts under IHL.

Read more

Cover of the 2023 Geneva Academy Annual Report Publication

Annual Report 2023

published on July 2024

Read more