Food aid is never the answer to famine Essay Example

be due to a variety of factors, including natural disasters such as earthquakes, volcanoes, flooding and droughts, as well as socio-economic issues like restricted access to fertile farmland. The latter is often exclusive to the wealthy elite in society which exacerbates inequality and leaves others struggling to find suitable land for farming. Furthermore, internal conflicts and wars worsen the situation by displacing rural communities. However, some causes of famine may have positive effects; for instance, while flooding may destroy crops in affected areas, it can also provide silt and nutrients that could be useful if managed properly or used for storing food for future years.

Bangladesh was hit by devastating floods in June 1998, lasting two months and affecting the entire nation. The floods left 900 million people stranded or homeless and caused an outbreak of disease due to the stagnant water. After the waters receded, the UN warned that two of the country's three crops had been lost, leaving up to 20 million people hungry. To assist in the $223 million worth of aid assigned by the UN, a ship from the World Food Program carried 50,000 tonnes of wheat to the region once it was accessible. Unfortunately, floods are an annual occurrence in Bangladesh, and there seems to be no preparation or strategy to prevent crop loss and famine. The diagram below shows that Bangladesh relies on four "bonds" established by Amartya Sen to avoid famine. In this case, the environmental bond was broken due to flooding, leading to famine and an increased reliance on food aid.

Although food aid provided some assistance in fulfilling the nutritional requirements and helping certain individuals survive

floods, it was not a long-term solution for famine. Earthquakes, such as the 2002 earthquake in Afghanistan with a magnitude of six on the Richter scale, can also lead to sudden mass aid needs. The earthquake had its epicentre in Nahrin, a remote town in Baghian province that was effectively destroyed. Access to the region was difficult due to the total devastation and numerous aftershocks, and around 50,000 people were left without food or water - meeting the UN's definition of a famine. Despite aid being flown in by various organizations, reports indicated that it was being sold to the highest bidder and given preferential treatment. Violent clashes occurred at points of distribution due to this issue.

The transportation of aid was delayed due to clashes, which posed a threat to workers and often required escorts to large camps. In situations such as the Bangladeshi flooding, food aid serves as a suitable short-term plan, but investing in a well-thought-out rebuilding strategy that considers earthquakes (which occur frequently in Afghanistan's location) would help prevent vulnerability. Famine is commonly associated with drought rather than earthquakes or floods. The Horn of Africa experienced a severe drought in the spring of 2000, particularly in the Ogaden region of Ethiopia, where successful food production depends on two seasons of rain. However, between 1997-2000, there had been lower-than-average rainfall, and when the first rain season in February 2000 failed to materialize, 95% of livestock and 50% of crops were lost.

Due to a prolonged rainy season that arrived later than usual, harvest was too late for the Ethiopian population, resulting in struggles to access sufficient food. Additionally, the soils in Ethiopia were

severely depleted from the years 1997-2000, which would result in low crop yields. However, obtaining food aid proved difficult as Ethiopia is landlocked and in a conflict with neighboring Eritria, who owns the major port in the region. This resulted in a catastrophic famine that claimed around 4 1/2 million lives due to a long drought, comparable to the devastating event that occurred in 1984 but with far more fatalities owing to population growth.

The demand for food aid exceeded its capacity to arrive quickly, indicating the fragility of the system. It can be argued that many nations rely too heavily on food aid. In Ethiopia, aid was blocked by Eritria causing loss of life. These examples illustrate the critical issue of aid. Without aid, developing nations would struggle, and their dependence on it could lead to their downfall. To achieve food security, poverty must decrease, natural resources must not degrade, and the impacts of population growth, rising incomes, and urbanisation must be addressed. This challenge exists on two levels. 1.

To ensure food security, it is important to provide the basic dietary requirements to a population. This should prioritize safeguarding the rights and interests of local communities and granting each individual access to food. Additionally, sustainable agriculture, rural development, and sustainable consumption and production must also be promoted to decrease dependence on food aid. The 2002 Earth Summit explored alternatives to constant food aid, such as trade, which can provide a more long-term solution. A successful example of this approach is the British aid worker Jim Chettle who encouraged struggling farmers in Kenya to form a company called "Farmers Own".
(Table 1 summarizes some of the alternatives

proposed by the WFP.)

According to Chettle, farmers utilized local ingredients such as soya, beans, nuts, and rice for producing snacks and confectionery. Chettle advocates for encouraging aid recipients to diversify by reducing poverty through promoting sustainable livelihoods. This diversification allows access to alternative food sources during local shortages, resulting in food-secure communities. To achieve this, communities should diversify crop patterns, use traditional crops that are disease and climate-resistant, balance food and cash crops, and ensure adequate storage facilities. While food aid may be a solution for short-term emergencies, the long-term benefits of following the path of Jim Chettle and Farmers Own would be more personally rewarding and secure for oneself and one's family. Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that everyone has access to sufficient, safe, and nutritious food to lead an active and healthy life.