Famines Sources: The World Food Problem (2009, Leathers and Foster) World Hunger 12 Myths (1998, Lappe, Collins, and Rossett)

Irish Potato Famine potato blight 1 million died of starvation –1.5 million emigrated Ireland a colony of England –Exported wheat and beef to England –Peasants had small plots of potatoes Famine: wheat and beef still exported –Peasants did not own the land –Starved in the midst of plenty They did not own Europe also had blight but starvation only in Ireland –British policies

British Army enforced food export during Irish potato famine

Great Famine, India India a British Colony British policies: –Land converted to British plantations –Exports of crops to Europe –Taxed India to support British wars –Price of food rose Drought decreased production British response: –Inaction, discouraged famine relief Thought to be too expensive Thought relief would encourage shirking of Indian workers Result: 5 million starved to death

Colonial Economic System Empire Colonies Wealth, Taxes Conquest Food, Resources

People Most Vulnerable to Famine Poor rural people: crop failure –Small scale farmers –Unemployed tenant farmers –Landless agriculture workers –Conquered nations Pastoralists –Drought –Low animal prices pg

Bangladesh Famine, ,000 died Blamed on floods that destroyed crops Actually never a shortage of food Wealthy farmers hoarded food Poor could not afford to buy food

Sub-Saharan Africa (Sahel) Recurring Famines 70s, 80s Blamed on Drought –But grow enough to feed everybody Exports continued: cotton, vegetables, peanuts Poor, indebted farmers suffer most Desertification a problem Aid supported export crops

Conflicts in Africa

Ethiopia Drought : –300,000 people died Drought uneven: –affected only 30% of land Civil War: –post-colonial problem Government spent billions on military –incurred huge debt: encouraged cash crops Government farms fed military –huge army reduced numbers of farm workers 800,000 relocated 0.jpg

Rwanda 1990s: Genocide, civil war, starving refugees Country dependent on coffee exports: –prices dropped plunging economy into crisis World Bank, IMF “structural adjustment” doubled number in poverty Rebels attacked most fertile region Ethnic tensions left over from colonialism exploded –500,000 killed: Genocide Crop production dropped – economy collapsed Rwanda refugees

Sudan Rebellion in Darfur starting 2003 –Region size of France Farming villages bombed –by Sudan government –To fight rebels Ethnic cleansing –by Pro-Arab militia (Janjaweed) kill, rape, burn –Genocide? 2.5 million refugees –200, ,000 dead Many from starvation Refugees in Darfur, Sudan

Conflicts and Poverty

Famines are a Social Disaster Vulnerability of the poor –Disasters result in poor losing land Opportunity for the rich? Claim to food may be lost –If too poor to buy food –Right to food? Vulnerability of agriculture to nature –Poor conservation due to economic pressure Hunger used as a weapon Ethiopia

Ukraine Famine Policy: Soviet Union established collective farms in 1930s Policy: Quotas set for farm production Policy: Food seized from farms to make quotas 6-8 million Ukrainians died

Great Leap Forward Famine Policy & Ideology: China reorganized farms into large communes –Huge production predicted Policy: Food exports increased in 1959 –Based on predictions Poor weather resulted in low production 30 million people died Propaganda Poster

Government IdeologyEconomy Great Leap Forward Famine Collective Farms Totalitarian Communism

North Korean Famine 1990s – 500, Million died of starvation –N. Korea doesn’t grow enough food for it’s population –Food rationed by government –Priority to military and party loyalists –With collapse of Soviet Union, grain aid reduced in 1990s –Industrial base too weak to afford grain imports –Military: 1.2 million soldiers ¼ N. Korean budget

Disaster Relief Needs Better governance: –democracy Early warning – rapid response Increase food availability –Discourage hoarding –Domestic production Distribution to needy –Food or cash Stabilization of food prices Liberia refugee children