The word famine conjures horrible images of emaciated children with extended bellies and ribs visible through their chests as they struggle to breathe. And many thousands get to that state before famine is even declared. To actually declare a famine there is an extremely technical process used by the international community, with particular conditions of food insecurity that need to be met. Here we’ll explore what a famine is, how one is declared, and what that means.
Famine is the most severe form of a food crisis, and is declared when several specific criteria are met:
• 20% of a population suffers from extreme food shortages
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About the author
Teresa Welshtmawelsh
Teresa Welsh is a Senior Reporter at Devex. She has reported from more than 10 countries and is currently based in Washington, D.C. Her coverage focuses on Latin America; U.S. foreign assistance policy; fragile states; food systems and nutrition; and refugees and migration. Prior to joining Devex, Teresa worked at McClatchy's Washington Bureau and covered foreign affairs for U.S. News and World Report. She was a reporter in Colombia, where she previously lived teaching English. Teresa earned bachelor of arts degrees in journalism and Latin American studies from the University of Wisconsin.
