Loud bombs, silent collapse: How war is killing the SDGs

The world  is committed to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) with a high ambition — to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure everyone can prosper by 2030.

The promise has recently faded. The challenge extends beyond money, cooperation or effort. Conflicts drain resources and block progress on the SDGs. Although leaders can pursue peacebuilding, arms reduction and diplomacy, a new, urgent threat links conflict directly to global progress.

War has become the key obstacle to achieving the SDGs, disrupting every goal. To understand why conflicts matter so much, we must examine their broader developmental impact across all areas, starting with how conflict undermines development.

Conflict: The biggest development assassin

Armed conflicts are slowing progress. For example, ScienceDirect finds conflicts set back more than half of the SDGs by more than 5%, with education (SDG 4) and infrastructure (SDG 9) losing over 10%. This is not just a delay — it threatens long-term development.

According to UNDP, more than 455 million of the world's poor live in conflict-hit countries. This makes reducing poverty harder. Sometimes progress is lost. In these areas, poverty rates are almost three times higher than in peaceful places.

SDG 1 & 2: Poverty and hunger

Each outbreak of war increases poverty levels and deepens hunger. In conflict, people lose livelihoods faster than efforts to restore them can keep up.

The United Nations University says the war in Ukraine pushed 7.1 million more people into poverty. The poverty rate rose from 5.5% to 24.1% in one year. This erased 15 years of progress.

According to Reuters reports, economic output in Gaza has collapsed. Poverty there is nearing totality. Unemployment has reached extreme levels.

Global conflicts have disrupted food systems, damaged farmland and blocked supply chains. Hunger has become a certainty, not just a risk.

SDG 3 & 4: Health and education

War kills people and destroys essential systems. The Guardian reports that nearly one in five children, or 473 million, now live in conflict zones. More than 52 million of these children are out of school. In Syria, over 5,000 schools have been destroyed. Millions of children have lost access to education.

Healthcare systems are collapsing. ScienceDirect reports that armed conflict in Gaza has severely disrupted healthcare. Only some primary centres remain functional. Many healthcare workers have been killed or injured. The impact is not confined to one region — the consequences are global.

We often treat the SDGs as a technical issue, focusing on better policies, funding, or partnerships. However, the evidence points elsewhere: the core obstacle is persistent conflict. Addressing conflict is therefore the urgent prerequisite to securing the future and all SDG progress.

Recent conflicts in the Middle East have disrupted services in countries like Sudan, complicating recovery. In response, international organisations such as the World Bank, regional banks, and UN agencies support health, education, and infrastructure. Despite these efforts, recovery remains especially slow in vulnerable areas. Losses in human capital, such as missed education or vaccinations, are often permanent. As basic services fail, both rural and urban areas are impacted. Ultimately, the collapse of services hurts entire communities, highlighting the urgent need to rebuild infrastructure and cities.

SDG 9 & 11: Infrastructure and cities

Modern wars do not only target armies. They also destroy infrastructure.

The United Nations University says Ukraine has lost 25,000 kilometres of roads. Reuters reports that the damage to Gaza's infrastructure is $18.5 billion. That is nearly equal to its annual output. Cities are set back by decades. Gaza's development now matches the 1950s.

Development is lost rapidly. The impact goes beyond damaged roads. The real issue is how to restore progress for entire communities.

SDG 13 & 15: Climate and environment

People rarely discuss war as an environmental issue, but they should.

Military operations are among the world's worst sources of carbon emissions. Every explosion pollutes. Every tank burns huge amounts of fuel. Ecosystems in battle zones may be lost forever.

Landmines themselves can render thousands of square kilometres unusable. In Ukraine, vast areas of agricultural land are now hazardous.

While debate on climate action continues, war reverses environmental gains and further undermines progress on peace, justice, and strong institutions.

SDG 16: Peace, justice, and institutions

SDG 16 — Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions — is not just a goal. It is a requirement: without peace, the SDGs cannot be reached.

Conflict weakens governments, disrupts institutions and erodes trust. When stability falters, money meant for development is diverted to defence and survival, affecting every SDG and creating vicious cycles that stall progress.

Once conflict and decline begin, the cycle accelerates and becomes hard to stop. For example, war-torn Ukraine wanted to send military experts to support the US response to Iranian drones while seeking more support against Russia. Such exchanges will likely increase. As intervention opportunities narrow, it becomes clear that the SDGs depend heavily on breaking the cycle of conflict.

The hard truth

We often treat the SDGs as a technical issue, focusing on better policies, funding, or partnerships. However, the evidence points elsewhere: the core obstacle is persistent conflict. Addressing conflict is therefore the urgent prerequisite to securing the future and all SDG progress.

Every missile takes resources from development. Wars erase progress and hope. Now is the time for action.

The choice ahead

The world is at a crossroads — not just between security and development, but at a critical turning point where peace must be seen as the foundation for both. Recognising this link is essential for the future progress of the SDGs. The SDGs were meant to build a better future.

World leaders must face the true cost of war — lost lives and progress. Achieving the SDGs depends on breaking the cycle of conflict, demonstrating that peace is not only an SDG but a precondition for them all.

We must end wars that threaten development and build peace for the future. This requires teamwork across countries, sectors and communities, reinforcing the interconnected nature of the SDGs. Policymakers, civil society and businesses must work together and take real steps. No one can do this alone.

Shafiq R Bhuiyan is a storyteller who examines the intersection of social progress, effective communication, cultural development, and corporate social responsibility while sharing insights to inspire change. 

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions and views of The Business Standard.