Question

Is famine more widespread today than in the past? What are the principal causes and consequences of hunger?

Answer 1

Famine is less widespread today, than the past, and it is on the basis of reason that today, the world is more globalized, many international organizations are more ready to reach different countries in the world and help them and spread of information among people and influential institutions to provide necessary support to the affected areas. It has caused prevention of extreme scarcity of food with exceptions. The exceptions take place in the form of drought in African nations or natural disasters in these nations where food supply is negatively affected. So, for a time being the scarcity can take place, but there are many interest groups. NGOs and other non-profit organization that works on a regular basis to reduce the scarcity level and provide timely help. Hence, it can be said that famine is less prominent today than the past.

The causes of hunger are very adverse climate of the region either causing drought, floods or other natural disasters, poor government policy & planning, lack of public distribution system in the country and lack of assistance from other institutions in the country among the other reasons. There are different consequences of hunger. The first consequence is the increase in mortality rate of the population and poor life expectancy. It is due to the reason that hunger make them suffer from malnutrition and become weak in physical strength. The second consequence is the lack of focus on human capital development that causes the country not to progress in economic development. The third consequence is the increased promotion of corruption and economic rent where people can sell their assets in less value to the enterprises to satisfy their hunger.

So, there are many causes, leading to hunger and consequences that follow it.