Jacobs, Meijer, Rush, And Mann Introduce Bipartisan Resolution Condemning The Use Of Hunger As Weapon

Statement

Congresswoman Sara Jacobs (D-CA-53), Congressman Peter Meijer (R-MI-03), Congressman Bobby L. Rush (D-IL-01), and Congressman Tracey Mann (R-KS-01) have introduced a bipartisan resolution condemning the use of hunger as a weapon and recognizing the effect of conflict on food security.

The resolution (text available here) highlights the negative impacts conflict inflicts on hunger and food security worldwide, with an estimated 100,000,000 people living in environments where conflict was the main driver of the food security crisis. The non-binding resolution calls upon the United States to prioritize diplomatic efforts to call out and address instances where hunger and intentional deprivation of food is being used as a weapon of war; continue to address severe food insecurity through humanitarian response efforts; ensure interagency efforts adapt to address conflict by utilizing crisis modifiers in USAID programming; and consider tools to hold individuals, governments, and entities responsible for the use of hunger as a weapon in conflict.

Congresswoman Jacobs is a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee and worked at the State Department Bureau of Conflict and Stabilization Operations before being elected to Congress. Congressman Meijer is also a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Congressman Rush and Congressman Mann serve as members of the House Agriculture Committee.

This legislation is endorsed by 24 non-governmental organizations including 1,000 Days, Action Against Hunger, Alliance for Peacebuilding, Bread for the World, Caux Scholars Program, Center for Policy Analysis of Horn of Africa, Charity & Security Network, Concern Worldwide US, Food for the Hungry US, Friends Committee on National Legislation, Ghais Mediation & Facilitation, LLC, Islamic Relief USA, Medical Teams International, Mercy Corps, Nonviolent Peaceforce, Norwegian Refugee Council USA, Oxfam America, Refugees International, Save the Children, The HALO Trust (USA), The Hunger Project, UNICEF USA, World Vision, and Young Adult Empowerment Initiatives.

"The weaponization of hunger in conflict is an unacceptable breach of international humanitarian law. We must condemn these actions and prioritize diplomatic efforts to address hunger, work to make sure that our humanitarian aid programs are addressing hunger, and hold those that use hunger as a weapon accountable. I am proud to work with my colleagues on this resolution to shine a spotlight on conflict's impact on hunger and to encourage broader inter-agency coordination to address this global challenge, said Congresswoman Sara Jacobs.

"The weaponization of food access as a tactic of war is morally repugnant and serves only to perpetuate conflict and political instability. Our resolution brings much-needed attention to the disturbing increase in the use of hunger as a weapon of war in recent years and calls on the Biden Administration to prioritize diplomatic efforts to address it," said Congressman Peter Meijer.

"Inflicting famine and starvation on children and innocent civilians is a playbook tactic for dictators and despots across the world," said Congressman Bobby L. Rush. "As the nation with the most military might on the planet, I believe the United States has a moral responsibility to speak up and stand against civilian starvation and related tactics. I am proud to join my colleagues -- both as a member of the House Agriculture Committee and as someone who grew up under the specter of food insecurity -- in introducing this important resolution and I thank Rep. Jacobs for spearheading this effort to condemn starvation as a weapon of war."

"Providing humanitarian food assistance produces powerful peace dividends in conflict-affected countries around the world," said Representative Tracey Mann. "Global conflict often results in food insecurity, market disruption, and the destruction of livestock and crops. In no uncertain terms, this resolution condemns the use of hunger and starvation as weapons of war and urges Congress to hold accountable those who carry out such inhumane tactics. I am proud to partner with Representatives Sara Jacobs, Meijer, and Rush on this important piece of legislation."

"We see during nearly every conflict that people struggle to eat as conflict drives up food prices, disrupts supply chains and devastates livelihoods. Meanwhile, armed actors intentionally target agricultural hubs, farmlands, and markets to use starvation as a weapon of war. This resolution lays the groundwork for concerted U.S. leadership to halt the use of hunger as a weapon through actions that include reauthorizing the Global Food Security Act and the Farm Bill with funding for emergency and development programs in conflict-affected countries," said Dina Esposito, Vice President of Technical Leadership, Policy and Advocacy at Mercy Corps

""Children are the most vulnerable victims of conflict," said Margaret Schuler, World Vision's Senior Vice President of International Programs. "World Vision continues to work in the most fragile contexts to bring lifesaving assistance to children and their families. It is critical for leaders such as the U.S. Government to recognize the effects of conflict on hunger and continue to support humanitarian assistance for children trapped by conflict."