Famine, By Definition, Is A Forced Starvation
Start writing a post
Politics

Famine, By Definition, Is A Forced Starvation

Four African countries are trapped in the desolated state of an “almost famine.”

426
Famine, By Definition, Is A Forced Starvation
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2017/12/22/636495511193798239-1712669117_famine.jpg

A few weeks ago, I began researching food injustices in the world for a final paper for one of my courses. After searching the news for a while, I stumbled across an article informing that four African countries were (and still are) experiencing a famine crisis. I was amazed that I had not heard about this prior to seeking it out. Initially I thought that maybe I had just missed it in the news, although the following weeks I kept a lookout for any reports on the subject. But still, nothing.

South Sudan, Yemen, Somalia and Nigeria are pained with the devastation of experiencing one of the “worst global food crisis since World War II” with an estimated 20 million people suffering starvation. Yet to claim that these countries are experiencing a famine would actually be incorrect, because they have not been officially declared to be a state of famine by international standards.

That is regardless of the fact that an estimated 5.1 million people in South Sudan will be experiencing severe food insecurity in the coming months. Violence and drought threaten 3.1 million people’s abilities to eat a meal in Somalia. Countless people in Yemen are going hungry because they cannot afford the exploited prices of the food available, and 1.7 million people in Nigeria have been displaced because of violence hindering their capability to feed themselves. All these human lives that are struggling to simply survive still does not constitute a famine because the definition of famine demands even more liveslost in order to be declared.

Famine is a measure of mortality, malnutrition and hunger. The measures are a cruel system to rank someone’s agony. The gauge includes that “at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope; acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent; and the death rate exceeds two persons per day per 10,000 persons.” The book definition is a way to justify the claim that, "Although you may be hungry, your pain has not yet reached what has been deemed as real suffering."

When a famine is officially declared it holds responsible other nations to extend their resources to assist in fighting the diseases and starvation. By making the requirements extreme, it removes these nations from being held accountable in providing sufficient aid through personal resources. It is a tactic used to safeguard wealth and protect political face. The definition of the famine is reflective of elite nations that hold the power to shape the definition to benefit themselves while others, who do not hold such power, are seemingly forced into starvation.

Famine, by definition, is a forced starvation. It is a “massive violation of the right to food” because every human life deserves the fundamental need to live. The point when famine can be officially declared, it is already too late. People have already been suffering for months or even years. Countless graves scatter these countries physically tallying each and every failure of the international community to respond to this overwhelming food crisis. All because their suffering did not match the statistical criteria.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

53157
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

34157
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956761
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181533
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments