ICRC's 2025 Appeal: Enhancing Food Security Amidst Armed Conflicts

On June 18, 2025, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) launched its special appeal for 2025, focusing on the urgent need to enhance food security in conflict-affected regions. The appeal highlighted the dire situation faced by millions worldwide, where armed conflict and insecurity have severely limited access to sufficient food. According to the ICRC, many displaced families struggle to survive on just one meal a day, while local farmers grapple with violence that hampers their ability to cultivate crops and feed their households.

The ICRC emphasizes that climate change exacerbates this crisis, damaging crops and displacing communities, and destabilizing food systems. Global food markets are characterized by volatility due to trade disruptions, currency depreciation, and rising import costs, making food increasingly unaffordable for vulnerable populations. The ICRC's 2025 appeal underscores that even in post-conflict recovery, the challenge of rebuilding lives remains daunting.

The ICRC asserts its commitment to a multidisciplinary and holistic approach aimed at addressing both immediate needs and systemic issues related to food security. According to Dr. Anna Thompson, Senior Humanitarian Advisor at the ICRC, "The way conflicts are fought, including adherence to international humanitarian law, directly impacts food security for civilians. It is critical that all parties to armed conflicts prioritize the basic needs of people under their control."

In its efforts to support food security, the ICRC provides not only food assistance but also cash and interventions to prevent or treat malnutrition. The organization implements a variety of climate-smart agricultural programs, alongside initiatives for livestock, fishing, and other livelihoods to enable communities to produce food and restore their income. This year, the ICRC aims to support at least 2.2 million people in achieving adequate food, assist nearly 6 million in sustainable food production, and improve water, energy, and sanitation access for at least 32 million individuals.

In Ethiopia's Somali region, for instance, the ICRC has successfully vaccinated nearly 300,000 animals against prevalent diseases, contributing to the resilience of over 90,000 people in the Lagahida district. This local initiative illustrates the ICRC's commitment to addressing immediate food insecurity while also laying the groundwork for sustainable practices in agriculture and livestock management.

The impact of armed conflict on food security is profound and multifaceted. According to the 2023 report by the World Food Programme (WFP), approximately 828 million people worldwide were undernourished, with conflicts accounting for a significant share of global hunger. The WFP's Executive Director, David Beasley, noted, "Conflict is the biggest driver of hunger globally. Without addressing the root causes of conflict, we cannot achieve food security."

The ICRC's approach also involves engaging with parties to the conflict to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law. This engagement aims to foster respect for civilians and facilitate access to communities in need. As the ICRC states, the responsibility to protect civilians and ensure their basic needs are met lies primarily with the warring factions.

Looking ahead, the ICRC's commitment to enhancing food security amid conflict will necessitate continued advocacy for compliance with humanitarian laws, investment in sustainable agricultural practices, and a focus on climate resilience. The challenges are immense, but the ICRC's holistic approach seeks to address both the symptoms and the underlying causes of food insecurity in conflict-affected regions.

As the global community grapples with the intertwined crises of conflict, climate change, and food insecurity, the ICRC's 2025 appeal serves as a clarion call for urgent action and support to safeguard the futures of millions of vulnerable individuals worldwide.