USAID General Publications Integrating Conflict Sensitivity into Food Security Programs

The recent conflict in Ukraine is a stark reminder of the links between conflict and food security. Not only has it had a tragic human toll inside the country, but it is also fueling a global food crisis.1 Indeed, the increasing state of global fragility and conflict is a major contributor to acute food insecurity and a critical underlying concern for achieving the goals of food security programs.

Conflict sensitivity in food security programming is therefore of paramount importance. This is true not only in active conflict zones, but in any fragile environment that may have experienced conflict in the past or shows signs of latent or potential conflict. Ultimately, everywhere they work, it is imperative for food security actors to understand local conflict dynamics and how their programs interact with them. If they do not, implementers risk not only undermining progress toward their objectives, but may also inadvertently cause or exacerbate conflict.

To address this critical matter, this learning brief builds on an existing piece of guidance, Conflict Sensitivity in Food Security Programming2, from the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) former Office of Food for Peace. This brief assesses prevailing practices, successes, challenges, lessons learned, and recommendations around integrating conflict sensitivity into food security programs. Ultimately, conflict sensitivity is not only about managing and mitigating risk, but also about seeking opportunities to promote peace. In this respect, this learning brief can contribute to USAID’s calls for greater coherence in humanitarian, development, and peace programming by supporting aid actors to “champion conflict integration and opportunities for enabling or building peace where possible.”