Chapter 14: Fragile and Conflict-Affected Contexts: Disruptions, Governance Failures, and Resilience Strategies: Conflicts and food insecurity

Food security in fragile and conflict-affected contexts (FCACs) has emerged as one of the defining development and humanitarian challenges of the twenty-first century. In these environments, the interaction of armed conflict, political instability, economic crises, climate change, forced displacement, and weak governance creates complex and persistent vulnerabilities that undermine the four pillars of food security: availability, access, utilization, and stability. This chapter critically examines the multidimensional nature of food insecurity in FCACs through a systems-based and resilience-oriented perspective, integrating contemporary literature, conceptual frameworks, and global case studies from regions such as Yemen, Sudan, Syria, and the broader Middle East. The discussion highlights how conflict disrupts agricultural production, fragments markets, weakens institutions, and intensifies dependence on humanitarian assistance, while climate change and global supply chain disruptions further amplify existing risks. The chapter also explores the limitations of conventional emergency responses and argues for a transition from short-term humanitarian interventions toward long-term resilience-building strategies that strengthen local food systems, governance, climate-smart agriculture, social protection, and economic recovery. Emphasis is placed on the humanitarian-development-peace nexus and the importance of inclusive, locally driven approaches that enhance adaptive capacity and reduce structural dependence on external assistance. The chapter concludes that sustainable food security in FCACs cannot be achieved through food aid alone; rather, it requires integrated policies that address the root causes of fragility while promoting peace, institutional effectiveness, and resilient food systems capable of withstanding future shocks.