Question
Q28. Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?
- Angola
- Costa Rica
- Ecuador
- Somalia
Answer: 4
Detailed Explanation
Crisis In Horn of Africa
Context
• The Horn of Africa is experiencing a food and health crisis.
• African nations are working to increase food security and nutritional resilience throughout the continent.
• For this reason, the African Union proclaimed 2022 to be the Year of Nutrition (AU).
The Horn of Africa
• Also known as the Somali Peninsula, is a large peninsula and geopolitical region in East Africa.
• Located on the easternmost part of the African mainland, it is the fourth largest peninsula in the world.
• The Horn of Africa is believed to be the birthplace of humanity.
• The oldest known australopithecine remains, dating back to 3.2 million years ago, were found in the Afar Triangle in Ethiopia in 1974.
• The Horn of Africa’s recent history has been filled with conflict, dictatorship, and instability.
• Horn of Africa includes Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Somalia.
Crisis
Over Ethiopia, Kenya, and Somalia, a crisis has been building for years.
Another failed rainy season this year has brought the disaster to a breaking point, affecting at least 36.4 million people and continuing to rise.
Food hunger has a long history in the HOA area.
The area experienced two food crises in the last ten years, in 2011 and again in 2017–18.
A 6th unsuccessful season in March–May 2023 is a real possibility if the area continues to get below-average rainfall.
