When a large number of people cannot get enough food to eat for a long period of time, they are suffering from a famine. During famines people become dangerously thin and malnourished. They become too weak to fight off illness. Many eventually die from starvation or disease. Famines have occurred throughout history and in all parts of the world.

Causes

Natural disasters, including drought, earthquakes, and floods, can cause famines by destroying crops or by making it difficult to distribute food. Other causes include insects that destroy crops, unusually cold weather, too much rainfall, and diseases that harm crops or livestock.

Humans can cause famines, too. Wars are one of the most common causes. Armies may call farmers away from producing food, use up stored food for their soldiers, or block roads used to transport food. Another human cause of famine is poor government planning. For example, in the late 1950s the Chinese government took land away from many farmers. It also promoted industry instead of agriculture. The food supply in China fell quickly, and about 20 million people died. Overpopulation—too many people for the amount of food that is available—and poverty can also contribute to famine.

The small size of a country may increase its risk of famine. A small country can quickly slip into famine when its main food supply is threatened. On the other hand, a large country can send food from one area to places where there are shortages.

Prevention

Famines rarely start suddenly. There is usually a warning period during which a country can take steps to avoid a famine. Government officials can store extra food and later distribute it to hungry people. They can also ask international aid groups for help.

Another way to prevent famines is to produce a variety of food. If a country depends too heavily on one kind of food, it has a greater risk of famine. For example, 19th-century Ireland depended heavily on potatoes. When the potato crop failed during 1845–49, more than 1 million people died of starvation or famine-related diseases.