Shadows of hunger: A quick look back at the biggest famines in history

While starvation is a normal phenomenon in many parts of the world, this turns into a cause of concern when it shifts into a regular pattern. This phenomenon of 'regular' starvation leads to violent outbursts of famine. 

This is what is happening now in Gaza as well, pushing more than half a million people in the region to the edge. 

From starvation to catastrophic famine, people throughout history have struggled — even sometimes fought among each other — to manage even one square meal a day. 

And it has happened many times in history.

The Irish Potato Famine (1845–1853)

Ireland's famine in the mid-1800s, commonly referred to as the Great Hunger, was triggered by a potato disease that destroyed the primary food supply in the nation. 

More than a million individuals perished, and countless others emigrated, resulting in significant demographic changes. 

The famine underscored the risks of depending too heavily on one crop and brought to light profound economic and social disparities imposed by British control.

The Holodomor (1932–1933)

The Holodomor was a devastating famine that struck Ukraine, taking the lives of millions. It was not the result of natural causes but of state policies that forced peasants into collective farms, imposed unrealistically high grain quotas, and sanctioned the confiscation of all food supplies, including seed grain. 

Villages that failed to meet targets were blacklisted and cut off from trade, while movement out of famine-stricken areas was strictly prevented. 

The famine also carried a political dimension, as it was used to weaken Ukrainian society and suppress national identity. Today, it is widely recognised as one of history's most tragic examples of a man-made famine.

Illustration: TBS

The Great Bengal Famine (1943)

During World War II, British-ruled India faced one of its deadliest food crises. The Great Bengal Famine led to the deaths of around three million people. As written in the book ''Poverty and Famine'' by Amartya Sen, the official Famine Inquiry Commission reporting on the Bengal famine of 1943 put its death toll at 'about 1.5 million'.

WR Aykroyd, who as a member of the Commission was primarily responsible for the estimation, has said otherwise, ''I now think it was an under-estimate, especially in that it took little account of roadside deaths, but not as gross an under-estimate as some critics of the Commission's report, who preferred three to four million, declared it to be.''

While natural disasters like a cyclone and floods in 1942 damaged crops, deeper issues were at play. Wartime inflation, hoarding, disrupted supply chains, and colonial policies all contributed to the catastrophe. The effects of the famine extended far beyond the loss of life, leaving lasting scars on the region's economy and society.

It is a man-made disaster, a moral indictment, and a failure of humanity itself. Famine is not about food; it is the deliberate collapse of the systems needed for human survival.'

António Guterres, Secretary-General, United Nations

The Great Chinese Famine (1959–1961)

China's famine during the ''Great Leap Forward'' is often regarded as one of the most devastating famines in history, with death toll estimates varying from 15 to 55 million. 

Although certain regions experienced natural disasters, inadequate governmental policies, like enforced collectivisation and impractical production goals, were primarily responsible. The government's censorship of information intensified the crisis, and the lasting effects significantly influenced Chinese society. 

Drought and Famine in the Sahel (1968-1985)

An excerpt from the book 'Poverty and Famine' says, ''Already by 1969, there were reports of 'prolonged drought across West Africa'. The situation got worse as the drought progressed, and by the spring of 1972, the United Nations World Food Programme noted that drought in the Sahelian countries had become 'endemic', requiring that 'special treatment' be given to the region in providing emergency food aid.''

The Sahel, a semi-arid area located just south of the Sahara Desert, had faced multiple famines, particularly in the 1970s and 1980s, primarily due to ongoing droughts and environmental deterioration. 

Periods of conflict have occasionally contributed to these issues as well. These ongoing emergencies have resulted in numerous fatalities, forced the relocation of communities, and caused significant long-term harm to the environment, rendering the region especially susceptible to the impacts of climate change.

Bangladesh Famine (1974) 

First the floods; then the famine, this encapsulates the whole story of the Bangladesh famine in 1974, leading to severe damage in the Northern districts. According to accounts by Gilbert Étienne, a Swiss economist, author, and professor, ''The price of rice rocketed during and immediately after the floods. In some of the most affected districts, the rice price doubled in the three months between July and October. Reports of starvation could be heard immediately following the flood, and grew in severity.''

As pointed out in the book by Amartya Sen, ''Despite the famine conditions, the government succeeded in importing fewer food grains in 1974 than in 1973. In fact, in the crucial months of September and October, the imports fell to a trickle, and the amount of food grains imported during these two months, rather than being larger, was less than one-fifth of the imports in those months in the preceding year.''

Deeper issues such as economic mismanagement, poverty, and breakdowns in food distribution played a bigger role. The death toll reached into the hundreds of thousands. This event underscored the fragility of food systems in newly formed or politically unstable nations. 

Ethiopia's Famine (1983–1985)

The so-called 'great Ethiopian famine' hit the country during 1888-92, killing off possibly a third of the total population, and it is still remembered as kifu qan (evil days). 

Ethiopia's famine was primarily caused by a significant drought, but exacerbated by continuing civil unrest and political turmoil. 

Approximately one million lives were lost during this period, prompting a global response. The calamity highlighted the ways in which political strife can intensify environmental issues, making it more difficult to provide food assistance in inaccessible or perilous regions.

Famine in Sudan (1980s–present)

As reported in the Guardian recently, Sudan is facing the world's deadliest famine in 40 years right now. Apart from this, Sudan has experienced multiple famines over the decades, driven by conflict, drought, and unstable governance. 

Major crises occurred in the 1980s, 1990s, and more recently in regions like Darfur. According to recent estimates by the World Food Program (WFP), around 24.6 million people are facing acute hunger now in this region, and 2 million people are at risk of famine.

These famines serve as a powerful reminder of how vulnerable communities can be to food insecurity. Looking at past famines can offer valuable insights into the causes and impacts of these disasters, while guiding the decision makers to make informed decisions for future responses.