Food Shortages | Geography for GCSE/IGCSE - Year 11 PDF Download

Causes & Effects of Food Shortages

• World leaders aimed to eradicate world hunger by 2030, as pledged in 2015.
• The UN reported a surge in individuals facing 'hunger emergencies' from 135 million in 2019 to 345 million in 2022.
• Global food prices have escalated by 23% compared to 2021.
• World grain reserves are currently at their lowest levels in 14 years.
• Approximately 70% of those experiencing hunger are women and girls.

Causes of Food Shortages

• Natural and Human Factors
• It's crucial to note that natural causes can often be exacerbated by human activities.

Examples of Natural Causes

• Floods: Result from heavy and prolonged rainfall.

Human Activities Worsening Natural Causes

• Urbanization
• Deforestation
• Climate Change: Leading to increased snow and ice melt, sea level rise, and changing weather patterns.

Effects of food shortages

• Undernutrition
  • Occurs when individuals do not consume sufficient calories, leading to severe health implications.
  • Linked to a significant portion, about 45%, of child mortality worldwide.
• Malnutrition
  • Refers to a situation where individuals lack essential nutrients in their diet, compromising their overall health and well-being.
  • Can result in various health issues and impact physical and cognitive development.
• Wasting
  • Describes a condition where individuals have low body weight concerning their height.
  • Affects a substantial number, approximately 45 million, of children under the age of 5 globally.

Rising Food Prices

• Increased Demand and Reduced Supply
• When the demand for food surpasses the available supply, prices tend to rise, impacting consumers' purchasing power.
• Higher food prices can lead to difficulties in accessing essential nutrition, particularly for vulnerable populations.

Underdevelopment - Loss of Productivity

• Consequences of Food Shortages on Workforce
• When a country's labor force faces food scarcity, productivity levels decline, hindering overall economic growth and development.
• This situation may even lead to regression in progress achieved in various sectors.

Soil Erosion and Desertification

• Impact of Farming Practices
• Due to unsustainable farming methods like overcultivation and overgrazing, soil erosion and desertification can occur, degrading arable land.
• These processes reduce the land's fertility, affecting agricultural productivity and food security.

Social Unrest

• Consequences of Food Scarcity
• Food shortages can lead to social unrest, including riots and looting, as communities struggle to meet their basic needs.
• Such unrest can further exacerbate food insecurity and disrupt social stability.

Migration Patterns

• Relocation Due to Food Availability
• Individuals may migrate to areas with better food supplies, either within their country or internationally, seeking improved access to nutrition.
• This movement can impact both the regions of origin and destination, influencing economic and social dynamics.

Possible Solutions to the Problem of Food Shortages

There are a number of solutions to food shortages including:

Case Study: Yemen

• Yemen is situated in the southeastern region of the Arabian Peninsula.

Climate of Yemen

• Yemen experiences a predominantly hot desert climate, with a milder climate in its western mountainous areas.
• During summer, temperatures soar up to 40 degrees Celsius with minimal rainfall.
• Winter months are comparatively cooler, ranging between 25-35 degrees Celsius, also with limited rainfall.

Agricultural Landscape of Yemen

• Agricultural activities in Yemen are on the rise, cultivating crops such as millet, corn, wheat, barley, and sorghum.
  • Millet
  • Corn
  • Wheat
  • Barley
  • Sorghum
• Additionally, coffee, cotton, and fruits are grown for export purposes.
• More than 73% of the population depends on agriculture as their primary source of income.

Causes of food shortages

• The civil war that began in 2015 has caused widespread displacement of Yemeni citizens.
• Humanitarian efforts, particularly food aid supplies, have been hampered by port blockades.
• The conflict has taken a toll on critical infrastructure like roads, airports, and communication systems, impeding the flow of essential goods.

Drought

• In recent years, there has been a significant impact of drought on food supplies. The primary regions for crop cultivation have only received a fraction of the usual rainfall, leading to decreased agricultural output.

Pests

• In 2019, Yemen faced a severe locust infestation that devastated many crops. Due to ongoing conflicts in the region, the control and monitoring of pests were hampered. Additionally, the scarcity of pesticides made it challenging for farmers to manage the insect population.

Corruption

• Instances of corruption have hindered food distribution efforts, with aid often being diverted to individuals involved in conflicts or holding positions of power. As a result, essential food supplies fail to reach those who are most in need.

Population Increase

• The population of Yemen has surged to nearly 30 million from 26.5 million in 2015. This demographic expansion has heightened the demand for food resources, putting additional strain on the already fragile food security situation.

Effects of food shortages

• The Yemeni economy has experienced a decline, particularly affecting the agricultural regions in the south-west.
• In 2016, the total losses in farm produce amounted to $964.5 million.
• Yemen has become heavily reliant on imports for 90% of its grain supplies, with a significant portion originating from Ukraine, which has been disrupted by the Russian invasion.
• Over 80% of the population in Yemen live below the poverty line, with 50% of those employed in agriculture losing their jobs.
• Due to a 30-70% increase in food prices, many people can no longer afford a nutritious diet.

Key Points on Yemen Food Crisis

• The United Nations reports that more than 226,000 Yemeni individuals have lost their lives due to food shortages and inadequate healthcare services.
• Over 50% of children under the age of 5 are currently at risk of acute malnutrition.
• The total food insecure population in Yemen is projected to reach 19 million by the conclusion of 2022.

Solutions 

• Since the onset of the conflict, substantial aid amounting to billions has been dispatched to Yemen through organizations such as UNICEF, Red Cross, World Food Program, and Oxfam.
• Organizations Providing Aid:
  • UNICEF
  • Red Cross
  • World Food Program
  • Oxfam
• Delivering aid to those in need poses significant challenges, as outlined in the preceding section on causes.
• The World Food Program extends food assistance to 13 million individuals through various means such as rations, vouchers, and cash transfers.
  • Rations
  • Vouchers
  • Cash transfers
• The persisting conflict indicates that food shortages are likely to endure and potentially worsen until its conclusion.