Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the United Nations, has called on the UN Security Council (UNSC) and other UN agencies redouble efforts to deal with the vicious cycle of conflict and food insecurity, especially amid increasing risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of the Vietnamese Permanent Mission
to the United Nations

The call by the Vietnamese diplomat came during an UNSC online meeting on April 21 regarding the protection of civilians that have been caught up in conflicts caused by a shortage of food.

Aside from maintaining current commitments to humanitarian aid, the UN and international community must come together to co-operate and support countries that are in the stage of post-conflict restoration. This should be done alongside striving to improve people’s livelihoods, maintaining food supplies, whilst taking comprehensive steps aimed at building peace and ensuring food security, Ambassador Quy said.

The diplomat also suggested promoting the role of women in building peace and ensuring food security.

During his remarks, FAO Director-General Qu Dongyu cited the Global Report on Food Crises in 2020 which states that 135 million people across 55 countries were trapped in a food crisis last year.

This figure represents the highest number over the past four years. Of the statistics, almost 60% of all cases came from countries that are either unstable or are in the midst of an ongoing conflict, such as South Sudan and Yemen.

David Beasley, executive director of the World Food Programme, outlined the grim prospect of 135 million people facing crisis levels of hunger, coupled with an additional 130 million who are on the edge of starvation caused by impact of the COVID-19.

Miguel Vargas Maldonado, Foreign Minister of the Dominican Republic, a nation that holds the UNSC Presidency in April, proposed co-ordinating efforts to fit in with the UN’s pillars of peace, security, development, environment, and humanitarian aid. 

Other delegates expressed their view that armed conflicts have resulted in stagnant food production, contributed to destroying infrastructure, and have led to rampant homelessness, humanitarian consequences, and severe starvation.

Participants issued calls for all sides to observe international humanitarian law and relevant resolutions set out by the UNSC, whilst asking the council to step up efforts to prevent and tackle conflicts in order to build peace in a sustainable manner.