What's Happening?
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) emphasizes that famines are predictable and preventable with early action and adequate support. Famines are declared when extreme food shortages, acute malnutrition, and high death rates are present. Key causes
include lack of humanitarian aid, natural disasters, climate change, conflicts, and economic crises. The IRC advocates for scaling up malnutrition treatment and delivering cash assistance to prevent famine. The organization highlights the importance of political will and funding to address the conditions leading to extreme hunger.
Why It's Important?
The IRC's focus on famine prevention underscores the need for coordinated international efforts to address the root causes of food insecurity. By highlighting the predictability of famines, the IRC calls for proactive measures to prevent them before they occur. This approach can save lives and reduce the long-term health and social impacts of famine. The emphasis on political will and funding highlights the role of governments and international bodies in supporting humanitarian aid and addressing systemic issues such as climate change and conflict.
