Dominic Crowley: We spend 30 times more killing each other than ensuring everyone is fed

In 2025, the UN recorded more than 37,000 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflicts — approximately one civilian death every 14 minutes

Displaced Sudanese who fled El-Fasher after the city fell to the Rapid Support Forces rest near the town of Tawila in war-torn Sudan's western Darfur region. Picture: Getty Images

Wed, 20 May, 2026 - 18:00

Dominic Crowley

UN Protection of Civilians Week (May 18-22) is a critical opportunity to confront a stark reality: despite the lessons of history and clear legal obligations, we are witnessing an alarming escalation in violations of international law, and the sustained unravelling of the protection of civilians. Millions of ordinary people are paying a price for this.

In 2025, the UN recorded more than 37,000 civilian deaths across 20 armed conflicts — approximately one civilian death every 14 minutes as a result of the way in which these conflicts were being prosecuted. By the UN’s own admission, this appalling figure is a minimum estimate, one that reflects only what could be verified.