Famine in Darfur, Sudan

Question 1

How do floods cause famine in Sudan?

Answer 1

• Floods wash away crops and make soil infertile by washing away nutrients as well.
• A recent flood occured in August 2013, which resulted in heavy flood damage in 14/18 states.

Question 2

How does Sudan’s climate cause famine?

Answer 2

• 1.5 million people live in the North Libyan desert.
• This area is agriculturally poor because it is dry and infertile.
• This is exacerbated by flooding - rainfall can not infiltrate because the ground is too hard and instead runs as surface runoff, eroding the topsoil.

Question 3

How did civil war cause famine in Sudan?

Answer 3

• A civil war has lasted for 20 years.
• Was between the government in Khartoum and rebel forces in the western region of Darfur, and the south.
• Up to 2 million were displaced by the civil war, according to the UN.
• War reduces food production and also distribution.

Question 4

How does Sudan’s population growth cause famine?

Answer 4

• Sudan has high population growth at 3%.
• This is linked to high use of marginal land.

Question 5

How does unequal distribution of food cause famine in Sudan?

Answer 5

• It has food markets and cafés.
• There is no shortage of food.
• Nyala is the capital of southern Darfur.
• Government officials live with plenty of food.
• However, 40,000 live in refugee camps near the city due to civil war and receive no food.

Question 6

How does child illness contribute to famine in Sudan?

Answer 6

• Infant mortality is one of the highest rates on earth, at 49/1,000 births.
• This is a demonstration of Sudan’s poor health care.
• This exacerbates the human impact of famine because it makes children in particular vulnerable to it.

Question 7

How do people die from famine in Sudan?

Answer 7

• The UN estimates that more than 70,000 have died from hunger and hunger related diseases.
• These include kwashiorkor, rickets and beriberi.

Question 8

How has famine impacted the economy?

Answer 8

• Famine has restrained the economy and is related to it in a vicious cycle.
• This is because it increases government spending and decreases working days and production.
• When the economy is poor, there is more likely to be famine.
• When there is famine, the economy is harmed and so on.
• This materialises as debt - Sudan’s debt is the 19th biggest out of 153 countries.

Question 9

How does famine cause emigration in Sudan?

Answer 9

• Sudan’s migration rate is -500,000.
• People flee famine and leave to seek asylum elsewhere.
• This harms the economy further because there is a ‘brain drain’ and a lack of workers, which decreases productivity.

Question 10

How effective are refugee camps in solving famine in Sudan?

Answer 10

• Due to civil war and famine, many people are left in refugee camps and rely on foreign aid.
• These are overcrowded and disease-ridden and food is not distributed equally here.
• 4.5 million people rely on international aid.

Question 11

How can the Nile be used to solve famine in Sudan?

Answer 11

• The Nile in the east is a place where agriculture can develop.
• The Nile can provide irrigation in drier months.
• However, it does not solve the unequal distribution of food, and the logistical problems associated with war. It is therefore in no way a comprehensive solution.