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OPINION:
More than 30 million people in 22 countries are in a severe food crisis and are on the brink of starvation, according to the Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights. We are witnessing this daily in the Gaza Strip.
According to the United Nations Children’s Fund, UNICEF, the number of children with malnutrition diagnoses increased from more than 2,000 in February to more than 5,800 in June, and at least 10 children starved to death in Gaza. The Washington Times’ July 25 edition of Threat Status cited Al Jazeera: “The death toll from starvation in Gaza has risen to 115.” A PBS commentary said, “The United Nations and international aid organizations in Gaza are warning of mass starvation.”
Indeed, we see daily pictures of emaciated babies and children and desperate adults begging for food that’s not available.
We are living in troubling times, and understandably, nations and even international organizations such as the United Nations can’t manage the increasing number of international conflicts: more than 45 armed conflicts in the Middle East and Africa, 21 armed conflicts in Asia, seven armed conflicts in Europe, and six armed conflicts in Latin America, according to the Geneva Academy of Humanitarian Law and Human Rights.
The U.S. focus has been on ending Russia’s war of aggression in Ukraine and securing a ceasefire in Gaza, knowing Iran continues to support proxies in the region — Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis — determined to annihilate the state of Israel. Recent efforts by the Trump administration to actively seek an end to the armed conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza are commendable.
However, as we seek a ceasefire and resolution to these conflicts, our immediate goal should also be to provide the food necessary for the 2 million people of Gaza and to end the tragic malnourishment and starvation of babies, children, pregnant women and the people so inhumanely treated.
Others can and should help with the cycle of despair affecting so many people. With a new pope in Rome and a Catholic Church committed to interreligious dialogue and the pursuit of peace and reconciliation, now may be the time for all religious leaders to play more active roles in collaborating with those nations seeking peaceful resolutions to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza and the myriad other conflicts confronting so many people, many desperate for food to survive.
Pope Francis was active in interfaith summits and interreligious encounters, routinely meeting with leaders of other religions. The 2019 Abu Dhabi Declaration between Catholics and Muslims promoted peace and friendship, as Pope Francis did with Rabbi Rick Jacobs, president of the Union of Reform Judaism, and other leaders of Judaism.
Pope Francis’ successor, Leo XIV, has already made it clear that he, too, will reach out to other religions and religious leaders to help bring peace to a world in disarray. It’s time for our religious leaders to play a more active role in addressing the ever-increasing humanitarian crises we are confronting. It’s also time for our leaders to seek the support of Pope Leo XIV and other religious leaders to encourage collaboration with our leaders on issues affecting the common good for all people.
On May 19, Pope Leo XIV spoke to the representatives of other churches and ecclesial communities and religions. His message: “Our common path can and must also be understood in the broad sense of involving everyone, in the spirit of human fraternity. … Now is the time for dialogue and building bridges. … I am pleased and grateful for the presence of representatives of other religious traditions, who share the search for God and his will, which is always and only the will of love and life for men and women and for all creatures.”
Pope Leo XIV has made it clear that the Vatican is prepared to play a role, any role, to help the U.S. and others seeking a peaceful resolution to the wars in Ukraine and Gaza. One would hope that the first objective would be to address the food situation in Gaza and to ensure that the 2 million people have access to the food and nutrients necessary for the survival of the people of Gaza.
• The author is the former special envoy for six-party talks with North Korea and former director of the National Counterproliferation Center. All statements of fact, opinion or analysis expressed are those of the author and do not reflect the official positions or views of the U.S. government. Nothing in the contents should be construed as asserting or implying U.S. government authentication of information or endorsement of the author’s views.
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