Every human being has the right to adequate food and to be free from hunger. This right is recognized in various internationallegal instruments, including international humanitarian law (IHL), which governs situations of armed conflict.
Disability is linked to food security and nutrition in many ways. In particular, disability can adversely affect householdfood security and nutrition. Research has shown that households that include persons with disabilities are more likely toexperience food insecurity, because they possess fewer economic resources and fewer work opportunities, require more healthservices, and spend extra time on care work. When the person with disabilities heads the household and is its primary incomeearner, the chances of falling into food insecurity are generally higher. Malnutrition rates may also be higher among personswith disabilities when they have difficulty eating and swallowing, are frequently ill, or are neglected. 125 It is important to remember that slow and rapid onset emergencies can have significantly different effects, not least onthe food insecurity of persons with disabilities.
See also WASH, Health and Education.