Hunger and Famine in The Horn of Africa: A Vulnerability Approach

Abstract

The lack of precipitation in the 2020-2022 rainy season has resulted in a food crisis in the Horn of Africa. Attributing the famine exclusively to rising global temperatures, climate change, prolonged dry periods, or flooding overlooks the underlying social and economic factors contributing to this crisis. The analysis method provided by the Vulnerability Approach, encompassing economic, social, political, and environmental factors, was selected for its comprehensive perspective. Famine exacerbates existing socioeconomic issues, intensifies social conflicts, and leads to various problems, including migration. There are various scientific perspectives on the causes of famine, such as underdevelopment, colonialism, environmental problems, climate change, rapid population growth, lack of democracy, inequality, and poverty. This study will examine the circumstances of vulnerable social groups regarding hunger, malnutrition, and famine, emphasizing social factors over physical or meteorological causes of famine. As a result, hunger and famine are not just meteorological events but rather social phenomena, and the effects of these phenomena are uneven throughout society. Vulnerable groups experience more severe consequences than other groups, and one of the most vulnerable groups, children aged 0-5, being affected by hunger and famine, poses significant threats to the future of societies.

Keywords

• Child Mortality
• Disaster
• Drought
• Famine
• Hunger
• Horn of Africa.

Afrika Boynuzunda Açlık ve Kıtlık: Zarar Görebilirlik Yaklaşımı

Abstract

2020-2022 yağışlı mevsiminde yağış eksikliği, Afrika Boynuzu'nda bir gıda krizine yol açtı. Kıtlığı yalnızca artan küresel sıcaklıklara, iklim değişikliğine, uzun süreli kuraklık dönemlerine veya sellere bağlamak, bu krize katkıda bulunan altta yatan sosyal ve ekonomik faktörleri göz ardı eder. Ekonomik, sosyal, politik ve çevresel faktörleri kapsayan Zarar Görebilirlik Yaklaşımı tarafından sağlanan analiz yöntemi, kapsamlı bakış açısı için seçildi. Kıtlık, mevcut sosyoekonomik sorunları daha da kötüleştirir, sosyal çatışmaları yoğunlaştırır ve göç de dahil olmak üzere çeşitli sorunlara yol açar. Azgelişmişlik, sömürgecilik, çevre sorunları, iklim değişikliği, hızlı nüfus artışı, demokrasi eksikliği, eşitsizlik ve yoksulluk gibi kıtlığın nedenleri hakkında çeşitli bilimsel bakış açıları vardır. Bu çalışma, kıtlığın fiziksel veya meteorolojik nedenlerinden çok sosyal faktörleri vurgulayarak, savunmasız sosyal grupların açlık, yetersiz beslenme ve kıtlık konusundaki koşullarını inceleyecektir. Sonuç olarak, açlık ve kıtlık sadece meteorolojik olaylar değil, aynı zamanda sosyal olgulardır ve bu olguların etkileri toplum genelinde eşitsizdir. Açlık ve kıtlığın etkileri, kırılgan kesimlerin diğer kesimlere göre daha ağır sonuçlarla karşılaşmasına neden olurken, en kırılgan kesimlerden biri olan 0-5 yaş grubu çocukların açlık ve kıtlıktan etkilenmesi, toplumların geleceği açısından önemli tehditler oluşturmaktadır.

Keywords

• Afet
• Açlık
• Afrika Boynuzu
• Bebek Ölümleri
• Kıtlık
• Kuraklık.

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