24th May 2026

In 2018 UN resolution 2417 was unanimously passed, condemning the deliberate starvation of civilians. New analysis compiled by Insecurity Insight has revealed 21,403 incidents in 15 countries where food supplies have been deliberately targeted since 2018. Giulia Contò, conflict and hunger advocacy manager at Action Against Hunger, said: “Famine in Gaza and Sudan has captured global headlines over the past two years, but most conflict-induced hunger never does. It unfolds daily, with relentless attacks on the systems communities depend on to survive: livestock looted, markets bombed, aid convoys blocked.” Attacks include 1,261 strikes on markets used by families for daily groceries and 863 incidents in which food distribution systems were targeted and workers killed. In addition there have been 1,909 military strikes on farmland, and 563 on water infrastructure vital for crops, which impacted on food security 42 countries and territories. The countries  with the highest recorded incidents are Israel's occupied Palestinian Territories, Yemen, and Sudan.  Christina Wille, director at Insecurity Insight, said that the international community had a responsibility “to act upon violations”.   She added that women are particularly affected. “Women who were primarily carers are forced to become breadwinners, often while reducing their food intake to prioritise their family members. Without enough food, children are unable to play, learn or grow, and the consequences on their development will last a lifetime.”

Loving God, how can it be, Lord, that we deny people the basics of life?  How is it that we can cause so much pain and fear?  How is it that we deliberately use food insecurity as a weapon of mass destruction?  We ask you forgiveness. We thank you that the whole world condemned the deliberate starvation of civilians, may we now take action to support our word.  Bless and protect all who seek to bring food, water and humanitarian aid to desperate people living in war zones. May their love for others be an example to all as they risk their own lives to save lives - often the live of people they do not know. We thank you for the work of organisation such as  Insecurity Insight who highlight our failings.  Fill us all with your Holy Spirit that we may fulfil your command to love our neighbour and feed the hungry, remembering that when we do so we feed Christ himself.  In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

You can read Security Insight's Report here.

At every Newcastle United foodball match at their home stadium, St James's Park in Newcastle UK, a bucket is shaken to encourage donations for charitable causes.  This season is just ending. Around £73,000 has been donated, a sum which is matched by club co-owner Jamie Reuben. This is more then sufficient to meet the £118,000 Newcastle Foodbank spent on food last year. The foodbank is used by up to 1,200 people every week - many of those being children and the elderly. "We can't have starvation going on in this city unchallenged and that's why we decided to do something about it," Reuben said.  On behalf of the Club he thanked all who had contributed. "We get enough thanks but you people, all of you individually, thousands of you, tens of thousands of you, thank you wherever you are right now," he said. 

Loving God, on this day of Pentecost,

we give you thanks for the Spirit of Peace

that calms our mind

and stills our life.

We give you thanks for the Spirit of Love

that touches hearts and reaches out.

We give you thanks, for the Spirit of Joy

that lifts our soul and gives us faith.

We give you thanks, for the Spirit of Power,

that gift of grace

and equips us for service in your Kingdom of love.

Father, Son and Holy Spirit 

we give you thanks and praise.  Amen.

Prayer is slightly adapted from a prayer for Pentecost, 

Faith and Worship, ©John Birch 

https://www.faithandworship.com/prayers_Pentecost.htm#gsc.tab=0