“The scenarios of current conflicts have caused the re-emergence of the use of food as a weapon of war,” the American pontiff said.
“The consensus expressed by states that deliberate starvation, as well as the intentional denial of access to food to communities or entire peoples, is a war crime seems to be receding more and more.
“International humanitarian law prohibits, without exception, attacking civilians and the goods essential for the survival of populations.
“With sorrow, we witness the continued use of this cruel strategy that condemns men, women and children to starvation.
“We cannot continue like this, it is necessary to find a remedy to this scandal.”
Speaking more generally about the scourge of hunger, Leo said it was necessary to “mobilise all available energies, in a spirit of solidarity, so that no one in the world lacks the necessary food, both in quantity and quality.
“In this way, an end will be put to a situation that denies human dignity, undermines desirable development, unjustly forces multitudes of people to abandon their homes and hinders understanding between peoples,” he said.
“With five years to go to the completion of the 2030 Agenda, we must strongly remind ourselves that achieving the Zero Hunger goal will only be possible if there is a real will to do so, not just solemn declarations.”
ANSA
