Does international humanitarian law address poverty during times of war?

Yes, international humanitarian law indirectly addresses poverty during times of war by protecting civilians and their property.

International humanitarian law (IHL), also known as the laws of war, is a set of rules which seek to limit the effects of armed conflict. It primarily focuses on protecting persons who are not or are no longer participating in hostilities, and it restricts the means and methods of warfare. While IHL does not directly address poverty, it indirectly tackles the issue by safeguarding civilians and their property during times of war.

Poverty can be exacerbated during armed conflicts as infrastructures are destroyed, economies are disrupted, and people are displaced. IHL plays a crucial role in mitigating these effects. For instance, it prohibits attacks on civilian objects, such as homes, schools, and hospitals, which are essential for people's livelihoods and well-being. By protecting these objects, IHL helps to prevent the deepening of poverty caused by war.

Moreover, IHL also protects the provision of humanitarian aid. During times of war, humanitarian aid becomes a lifeline for many people, providing them with essential goods and services such as food, water, shelter, and medical care. IHL ensures that humanitarian relief operations are allowed and facilitated, and it protects personnel carrying out these operations. This is another way in which IHL indirectly addresses poverty during times of war.

Furthermore, IHL prohibits acts that could lead to long-term poverty. For example, it forbids forced displacement of civilians, destruction of property not justified by military necessity, and starvation of civilians as a method of warfare. These acts can have devastating effects on people's ability to sustain themselves and can lead to chronic poverty.

In conclusion, while international humanitarian law does not directly address poverty, it plays a significant role in mitigating the effects of war that can lead to or exacerbate poverty. It does this by protecting civilians and their property, ensuring the provision of humanitarian aid, and prohibiting acts that could lead to long-term poverty.