fh.3.4 Famine
Content
- Geographic inquiry and concept(s)
- The power of different stakeholders in relation to influence over diets and health
- Geographic knowledge and understanding
- Factors affecting the severity of famine, including governance, the power of the media and access to international aid
- Case study or detailed examples
- One case study of the issues affecting a famine-stricken country or area
- Aims of this lesson
- To have knowledge and understanding of the factors affecting the severity of famine.
- To produce a case study of a famine-stricken country or area and the issues affecting it.
Base knowledge and understanding
News article
UN-backed experts declare famine in and around Gaza City
IPC says famine is ‘entirely man-made’ and immediate response is needed or avoidable deaths will soar
The Guardian · 22 August 2025
Key terms
- Famine
- It can be declared only when certain measures of mortality, malnutrition and hunger are met. They are: at least 20 per cent of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope; acute malnutrition rates exceed 30 per cent; and the death rate exceeds two persons per day per 10,000 persons.
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Review
- Suggest one way in which media coverage can influence the international response to a famine. [2]
- Explain how poor governance can increase the severity of a famine. [3]
- Explain how access to international aid can reduce the severity of a famine. [3]
- Examine the extent to which governance and media coverage determine the severity and duration of famine events. [10]
- Examine the role of media in influencing the international response to famine and pandemic events. [10]
