located: | Sudan |
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editor: | Shira Jeczmien |
Today, November 6, marks the United Nations International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict. When it comes to armed conflicts and civil war, destruction is often (and rightly so) counted by civilian and military casualties; by the destruction of infrastructure and cities and the wiping off of heritage. Yet the impact armed conflicts have on the environment comes at a monumental loss to wildlife, the local vegetation and in many cases, to the surrounding natural resources. In fact, it is local and international disputes over these very resources that lead to a vast number of conflicts around the globe.
A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) found that during the time span of the past 60 years, “at least 40 percent of all internal conflicts have been linked to the exploitation of natural resources, whether high-value resources such as timber, diamonds, gold and oil, or scarce resources such as fertile land and water.” The catch here is that areas abound with natural resources in conflict countries or areas are more likely to experience a relapse – precisely because of the mismanagement of resources, in equal part local and global levels.
When it comes to outlining programmes and clauses that seek to prevent armed conflict as well as boost rehabilitation, the local environment plays a monumental role; both in ensuring the livelihoods of communities in yielding food in the immediate aftermath and in creating jobs and helping the rejuvenation of nations in the years that follow.
Just two years ago the United Nations Assembly introduced a resolution that saw the international community recognise that a healthy ecosystem and well-managed use of natural resources as a fundamental means to reduce “the risk of armed conflict”. However today, the resolution, which is also outlined in the Sustainable Development Goals 2030, is far from a reality. From Sudan to Yemen, armed conflicts have left millions of people on the verge of starvation and incapable of tapping into their own region and country’s resources to survive or rebuild their economy.
In that light, this international day not only cries for global awareness towards the destruction of our delicate environment and ecosystem but to curtail the violent exploitation of natural and precious resources as a means for the former to actualise.
Photo: UNEP