Red Cross Warns of High Risk of Malnutrition in Conflict Areas

Dominic Stillhart, Director of Operations of the International Committee of the Red Cross (A Non-government world organization), warned of the high risk of malnutrition in conflict areas across the globe in addition to the rise in food prices.

Stillhart said, in a press statement, today, Monday, that families in many countries, especially those experiencing conflicts around the world and where the committee works, do not have enough food to feed their children.

He revealed that food prices have more than doubled during the past year in Syria and Sudan, while it rose by almost 50% in Ethiopia and Yemen, but also food prices saw a significant increase in all countries affected by the effects of violence and armed conflict.

Stillhart explained that the conflict disrupts supply chains, closes markets, and cuts off the supply of food, fuel, medicine, and basic commodities.

He indicated that the Red Cross Committee always seeks to remind the parties to the conflict that international humanitarian law makes clear that warring parties must ensure that the population under their control is able to meet their basic needs, including access to enough food.

He pointed out that many people in different parts of Ethiopia reported that they can only afford one meal a day and that the quality of that meal is poor.

Stillhart made clear that food prices are rising at a time when the livelihoods of many are subject to severe disruption and the impact of seven years of conflict in Yemen has depleted the assets and savings of millions of families across the country.

The civil war in Yemen forced the population to significantly reduce their food consumption.

He stressed that more than 16 million people cannot find or buy enough food in Yemen currently, in addition to the suffering of more than 3.2 million children and women from either acute malnutrition or hunger.