African Famine: U.S. Response (CRS Report for Congress)
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| Release Date |
June 27, 1985 |
| Report Number |
IB85075 |
| Authors |
Charles E. Hanrahan, Raymond W. Copson, Susan Epstein, Hollh Kenworthy, and Larry Nowels, Environment and Natural Resources Division and Foreign Affairs and National Defense Division |
| Source Agency |
Congressional Research Service |
Summary:
In 1985, Africa faces another year of severe food shortages. While thecrop situation in southern Africa has improved somewhat, and while rain hasfallen in eastern Africa, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of theUnited Nations continues to identify 21 African countries as seriouslyaffected by food emergencies. In January 1985, a UN official estimated that30 million Africans had suffered from the effects of these emergencies. Asof May 1985, the FA0 regarded food emergencies as particularly acute in sixcountries: Chad, Ethiopia, Mali, Niger, Mozambique, and Sudan. Kost reportsof widespread malnutrition and deaths from starvation were comrng from thesecountries. The food situation in Sudan was "deteriorating rapidly,"according to the FAO.The African famine raises the issue of whether -- at a time of budgetaryrestraints affecting many U.S. domestic programs -- U.S. emergencyassistance to Africa should be increased and by how much. Otherfamine-related issues include the adequacy of U.S. measures for monitoringand anticipating food emergencies, and the scale and nature of U.S.agricultural development programs intended to prevent future famines.
