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Food Security and Conflict in the ESCWA Region

Symbol: 
E/ESCWA/ECRI/2010/1
Issued in: 
2010

The Section for Emerging and Conflict Related Issues (ECRI) at ESCWA has prepared this study as part of a series of publications aimed at analyzing the socio-economic impact of conflict and its spillover effects in the ESCWA region. The publications include policy recommendations aimed at enhancing the capacity of policymakers in countries experiencing conflict to develop appropriate strategies and programs for the achievement of social and economic development goals in the region. The present study sheds light on the multi-facetted dynamics of conflict and food insecurity in the ESCWA region, assessing the food security situation in conflict-stricken countries and discussing the potentially mutual transmission mechanism between conflict and food insecurity.

The study attempts to analyze sectoral and country-level policies and explores regional policy options that may help reduce food insecurity in the region. It identifies data gaps and opportunities for further research, and stresses that food security and conflict are intertwined regional issues, therefore requiring solutions that involve a coordinated international, and more importantly, regional approach. The study proposes recommendations for Iraq, Palestine, the Sudan and Yemen as well as the region and the international community on the development of national and regional policies and programmes to support food security while mitigating the impact of conflict.