Conflict is a major driver of food crises, followed by weather extremes and economic shocks. Violent conflict is also a primary drivers of forced displacement, another factor contributing to heightened food insecurity.

Through it’s Corporate Framework to Support Sustainable Peace in the Context of Agenda 2030, and various strategic partnerships, FAO is fully committed to being conflict-sensitive and peace-responsive. FAO’s approach is in line with the Secretary-General’s request for the whole UN to regard sustaining peace as an important goal to which their work can contribute, and to integrate that approach into their strategic plans and country support. A suite of guidance has been developed to operationalize this at the country level, and to inform programme development and monitoring.

Opportunities exist to contribute to conflict prevention and sustaining peace, by supporting inclusive natural resource management, food security and resilient agricultural livelihoods, in order to address not only the symptoms but also the root causes of conflict. FAO also works with displaced people and host communities to protect and rebuild their livelihoods, enhance their self-reliance and foster inclusion and social cohesion at the community level.

Particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts, understanding the local context, including conflict and peace dynamics, is foundational to conflict-sensitive programming. Contextual understanding is also key to achieving broader objectives on food security and improved agricultural production, and to inform interventions across the humanitarian-development-peace (HDP) nexus.

Analysis of conflicts over natural resources

• Burkina Faso
• Liptako-Gourma countries (Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger) [in French]
• Mali
• Niger [in French]

Analysis of conflicts over transhumance

• Niger, Diffa region

Related links

Webinars on sustaining peace