Factors Affecting the Severity of Famine (DP IB Geography)
Revision Note
Factors Affecting the Severity of Famine
Famine is the result of an extreme lack of food
Famine can cause extreme malnutrition, starvation and even death
Numerous factors affect the severity of a famine
Governance
Some governments do not prioritise food supply in their country, resulting in a higher risk of famine
In Liberia, soils are perfect for agricultural production. However, there is very little access to tools and resources, so more food is imported at a higher price
If people can’t afford food, this results in a Food Entitlement Deficit (FED)
In other countries, famine would most likely not occur, as food is produced in excess e.g. in more developed countries
Conflict and corruption can severely impact food security:
If corruption exists in a country, there is very little focus on economic development and providing citizens with food
Conflict can cause displacement; many people become refugees and have food access restrictions
Corrupt governments may also misuse foreign aid
People may have to spend their vital income on food bribes, as there is less food to go around
Food may be weaponised in a conflict, limiting people’s access
Conflicts can damage crops and kill livestock, reducing food availability
If food availability goes down, this results in a Food Availability Deficit (FAD)
How governments deal with famine also impacts the severity
The Great Famine of 1845 (potato famine) in Ireland resulted from potato blight
The British government exacerbated the famine
Britain sent in grain as food support, but Ireland didn’t have enough infrastructure to process the grain
Poor and starving people were forced out of their homes by their British landlords as they couldn’t afford rent
Exports to the rest of Britain, of meat and other high-quality food products continued throughout the famine
Power of the media
Media campaigns can make people more aware of a famine situation in another country e.g. the news
Images of famine-stricken areas can often play with people’s emotions
This means that people are more likely to donate money
With the rise of social media, this is even more prevalent
Celebrities support fundraising campaigns e.g. Live Aid concerts to raise money for the famine in Ethiopia
Media campaigns may cover up the root cause of the issue, manipulating viewers and donors
Continuous media barrages may cause compassion fatigue
Aid availability
Other countries send food aid or funding to support food shortages after conflicts or disasters
Governments or non-government organisations (NGOs) and charities donate money
Aid may be provided but under certain conditions
This results in an uneven power complex
Countries become dependent on aid, making it difficult for future development
With food aid, food supplies will naturally increase in the country
This lifts people out of food insecurity
Increased food supplies cause local food prices to go down, impacting local producers
Farmers may also be less inclined to produce food
Food aid may be stopped if it is handled incorrectly
USAID and the World Food Programme sent food aid to Tigray in Ethiopia in 2023
Food was being mishandled, diverted and stolen
This resulted in a Food Pause, causing even more deaths
Population
The global population is growing, resulting in the need for more food
If the population grows in an area at risk of food shortages, this could increase the risks of famine
More land is used for housing instead of food production
Thomas Malthus, an economist and demographic theorist, stated that:
‘Famine will be inevitable as the population rises because food production simply cannot keep up’
Although there have been many arguments against Malthusian Theory, many of Malthus’ ideas seem to make sense in less developed nations
Poverty
In areas already facing extreme poverty, famine severity may be high
Famers may not have access to technology to support agricultural production
They rely on more traditional methods, which may not be productive
Countries may export more of their food, whilst not being able to afford to import food, resulting in food shortages
Countries may have poor-quality transport infrastructure to distribute food
Physical characteristics
Climate can impact how severe a famine may be
In places with warmer climates, drought is more likely to occur
Climate change may bring more severe droughts and reduced rainfall
This can impact the success of crop yields
Droughts that last a long time also create a higher risk of famine
How the land is used could also impact famine
Some land is converted for non-food crops e.g. food for animals or biofuels
This reduces the amount of land available for food growth, possibly causing or exacerbating existing famine
Natural disasters like hurricanes, flooding or earthquakes can damage crops, causing severe famine
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