Food and Water Supply Threats: An Epidemiological Analysis of Terrorist Attacks From 1970 to 2020

Introduction: Climate change, geopolitical conflicts, and hybrid threats jeopardize global nutrition security. The objective of this study was to identify and characterize all documented terrorist attacks on water and food supply targets as reported to the Global Terrorism Database (GTD). Methods: All incidents from 1970 through 2020 with ‘food and water’ listed as target type were selected. Temporal factors, location, target type, attack and weapon type, perpetrator type, and number of casualties were collated. Results: 363 incidents across 65 countries were analyzed, resulting in 392 fatal injuries and 302 non-fatal injuries. In this series, 78.2% of incidents targeted water supplies, 21.5% against food supplies, and one targeted both. Most of the targets consisted of food aid programs in conflict areas. Bombings/explosions were the most frequently identified attack type (61.2%), followed by facility/infrastructure attacks (15.7%) and armed assaults (11.0%). There was one case of a radiological threat, and in twelve incidents, chemicals were used. Conclusion: Food and water supply chains are important targets for terrorism. The water supply chain is targeted far more frequently than the food supply chain. The possible devastating effect is immense on already vulnerable people living in conflict areas and relying on state-led or international food aid programs.