Special Topic: Conflicts and Disasters

Mournng people after tsunami in december 2004.
© ReutersIf people's lives are immediately threatened by natural disasters or armed conflicts, they initially depend on rapid and effective help. After the emergency aid is administered, long-term and sustainable development aid is provided. The prime objective is to enable the victims to survive and to rebuild their livelihoods. Welthungerhilfe is supporting this process together with its partners in 70 countries.

The Cycle of Poverty and War

Destroyed car in
Liberia. © HahnHunger, poverty and conflicts are closely interrelated: throughout history crop failures and hunger have triggered wars, uprisings and revolutions. For instance in England in the 19th Century or in the Soviet Union at the beginning of the 20th Century.

This has been confirmed by recent events in developing countries.

Prevention is better than subsequent care – preventing potential violence

Large parts of Kabul have
been totally destroyed
© WHHMilitary interventions for improving the humanitarian situation are becoming increasingly frequent throughout the world. This particularly applies to so-called "complex disasters" where, for instance, armed conflicts go hand in hand with hunger disasters and acute violations of human rights. 

How successful is military intervention?

A sensitive approach to conflicts: the challenge of development cooperation

Staff members of
Welthungerhilfe in Sudan.
© MeissnerOvercoming conflicts plays a leading role in Welthungerhilfe's work. Welthungerhilfe uses the "Do no harm concept", developed by Mary B. Anderson, to ensure that it adopts a conflict-sensitive approach in its measures. 

In search of a non-violent resolution of conflicts

Work in dangerous regions: attacks on development aid workers

Burnt out tank in Kabul,
Afghanistan. © UnkelIn recent years there has been an increase in kidnappings and attacks with fatalities or serious injury to employees of non-government organisations in developing countries. Local development aid workers and members of humanitarian relief organisations are particularly affected.

Growing number of victims amongst aid workers