Causes and Ramifications of hunger in Africa : Discuss!

Rise of military and dictatorial form of rule, lack of democratic institutions, political instability, coupled with low level of social and economic development can be number rated as the major causes for hunger in Africa. Power was grabbed by a Few, using undemocratic means which was to be held by force.

The common people of these African countries were left unattended and lack of democratic rights made them vulnerable to poverty, unemployment, malnutrition and illiteracy; all of which led to the creation of a vicious circle where hunger was the cause as well as effect of political instability and lack of good governance. Such countries and Ethiopia, Somalia, Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi etc.

The ramification of hunger can be seen in following ways;
(i) International intervention, though belated in some areas has led to mitigating the hunger problems to some extent. Red Cross, UNICEF, WHO and other organizations are rendering help.
(ii) Migration of people on mass bases.
(iii) Hunger has also become a political weapon where western nations are projecting their agendas in affected countries as many African countries have huge minerals and energy resources.
(iv) Clashes to occupy food generating agricultural areas.
(v) Aggrevated problems of epidemics, AIDS etc.
(vi) African nations have come together and are trying to tackle this issue through programmes like NEPAD.
(vii) Group of developing countries G-8 helped them by waiving loans and debts apart from increasing aid to the poorer countries.
(viii) Hunger has led to international community forcing African leadership to introduce democracy and more rights to people.

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