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Front Burner When hunger is a weapon
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Jun 3, 2025 In this discussion, Alex de Waal, the executive director of the World Peace Foundation and author of ‘Mass Starvation: The History and Future of Famine,’ sheds light on the grim reality of food weaponization in Gaza. He addresses the alarming humanitarian crisis, the psychological toll of starvation, and the historical context of famine as a political issue. De Waal also explores the resurgence of famine worldwide, illustrating how conflicts exacerbate food insecurity, and critiques the effectiveness of current humanitarian responses amidst complex geopolitical tensions.
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The Rise and Fall of Famines
- Famine dramatically declined by the early 2000s due to less frequent use of starvation as a weapon and stronger international laws.
- Despite this, famine made a comeback around 2016 due to conflicts and humanitarian crises in places like Nigeria and Yemen.
Measuring Famine Accurately
- Famine is measured by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) system combining starvation, malnutrition, and mortality rates.
- Gaza currently teeters on the edge of famine but lacks full mortality data to confirm an official classification.
Famine as a Political Crime
- Most famines historically are caused by man-made actions such as war and political repression, not natural disasters.
- Viewing famine as a natural disaster promotes charity over political action and obscures accountability.