Roots of Famine Education Pack

Background to the Pack

In spite of a general acknowledgement there is sufficient food on the planet, and that the technology and resources are available to eliminate hunger, famines persist into the third millenium. While there is much information available from many sources on the nature and causes of famine, narrow public perceptions of famine persist. This pack was created to attempt to redress some of these misconceptions.

The pack contains material on:

• The roots of famine in war, the denial of human rights and political and economic instability
• Peoples experiences of famine
• Responses to famine, both long term and short term

The pack does not try to offer prescriptive solutions but aims to aid in an exploration and discussion of the issues.

Botswana, Sudan and Malawi were chosen as the countries of study for this pack. Southern Sudan saw a severe famine emerge in 1998. While Botswana is an example of public policy success in preventing the emergence of famine despite a condition of chronic drought. Malawi has recently experienced famine in several regions, and has a history of land problems. Drought is usually assumed in the public mind to be the 'cause' of famine in Africa.

On the ground information was collected by two researchers. The first case study took place in Botswana in February/March 2001 and the second case study was carried out in Kenya and South Sudan in March/April 2001. The third was carried out in Malawi in 2002, around the time of the major crisis. Local and international non-governmental organisations (NGOs) were interviewed, as were multilateral agencies and government organisations.

The pack also frequently reflects on the causes of famine in Ireland, on its impacts, and on the responses that were taken to address the 'Great Hunger'.

It is hoped that a greater understanding of the nature of famine and food insecurity will be generated through exploration of recent and not-so recent histories, and examination of the political, social, geographical and other factors that have and are causing these crises.

The creators of the pack acknowledge the kind support of

and

Mike FitzGibbon and Nora Hennessy, 2003 International Famine Centre, University College, Cork

e-mail: famine2@eircom.net

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