See Also: famine(medicine)
famine(dictionary)
famine(encyclopedia)
famine(dictionary)
famine dropsy(medicine)
famine fever(medicine)
Potato Famine, the(dictionary)
Irish Potato Famine(encyclopedia)

famine (sh)




Extreme and protracted shortage of food, resulting in widespread hunger and a substantial increase in the death rate.

General famines affect all classes or groups in the region of food shortage; class famines affect some classes or groups much more severely than others; regional famines affect only a particular region of a country. Causes may be natural or human. Natural causes include drought, flooding, unfavourable weather conditions, plant disease, and insect infestation. The chief human cause is war; others include overpopulation, bad distribution systems, and high food prices. Several severe famines occurred in the 20th century, including those in China (1928-29, 5-10 million dead; 1958-62, up to 20 million), Russia (1921-22, 1.25-5 million; 1932-34, 6-8 million), India (1943-44, 1.5 million), Cambodia (1975-79, 1 million), and sub-Saharan Africa.