Protracted conflicts are the main cause of the rise in forced migration. People living in rural areas and dependent on agriculture are affected the most, as most of today’s civil strife takes place in such contexts. The symptoms are evident, but the realities behind these symptoms tend to be complex. The ways in which conflict can cause food insecurity and the ways in which both conflict and food insecurity cause people to flee their livelihoods differ from context to context. Forced movements of people and food insecurity may also fuel conflict. Responses should start from a proper understanding of the root causes underlying conflicts, movements of people and persistent food insecurity. In all these contexts, humanitarian aid is needed to prevent food crises and famines to occur in such situations, but no lasting solutions can be expected if programmes and support measures do not aim to help provide people with the means to rebuild their livelihoods, thus addressing some of the root causes of conflict and migration. Restoring agriculture and food production and rural livelihoods will be key in most settings.