Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades old civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

UPSC Prelims 2023 Question:

Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades old civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?

a) Angola

b) Costa Rica

c) Ecuador

d) Somalia

Correct Answer: Option d) Somalia

Learn more about the countries that suffer from severe food shortages and famine in the given explanation below.

Explanation:

• A total of 6.5 million people in Somalia face acute food insecurity amid the driest conditions in 40 years, following five consecutive failed rainy seasons. Drought is compounding the impacts of other recurrent climate shocks, persistent insecurity and instability. A total of 1.84 million children under 5 face acute malnutrition.

Report on Food Shortage by WHO and UNICEF

• A new report released by the Federal Ministry of Health & Human Services, WHO and UNICEF suggests that an estimated 43,000 excess deaths might have occurred in 2022 in Somalia resulting from a deepening drought when compared with 2017 and 2018 drought crisis.
• Half of these deaths might have occurred among children under the age of 5.
• Somalia is experiencing its fifth consecutive failed rainy season, leading to drought conditions. This has severely impacted crop production and made it extremely difficult for herders to find enough food for their animals. The prolonged drought has caused a significant reduction in food availability and access for the population.
• Somalia has faced three decades of conflict, which have weakened the country's institutions and infrastructure. The ongoing fighting has further disrupted agricultural activities, destroyed critical systems, and hindered access to basic services.
• Humanitarian efforts to address the crisis are severely constrained by ongoing conflict, limited access to affected areas controlled by non-state armed groups, and a lack of funding.

Therefore, option (d) is the correct answer.

Subject: Polity | International Relations

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