War in the Breadbasket: Landmines and Food Security in Ukraine

Nov 16, 2023 | Marie Riquier and Henrique Garbino
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Global food insecurity has surged in recent years, affecting about 258 million people in 58 countries or territories in 2022. Violent conflict is one of the leading drivers, alongside economic shocks and climate change.

In early 2023, the World Food Programme (WFP) estimated that around 11 million people in Ukraine were facing food insecurity. The conflict has had a devastating impact on food systems in Ukraine. It has damaged energy, food storage and transportation infrastructure;  disrupted markets and trade; depleted livestock and food reserves; and created general insecurity around food production and distribution. It has also depleted the sector’s workforce, as farmers and other workers have joined the defence forces. More specifically, most civilian mine and ERW casualties in Ukraine have occurred during agricultural work such as farming or forestry.

Fortunately, it seems that Ukraine has ample resources to deal with this issue: human, technological and industrial capabilities; committed, proactive and entrepreneurial rural populations; and external technical and financial support. One of the primary challenges now lies in effectively harnessing and coordinating these resources.