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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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Famine
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INFOTEXT
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1992-09-02
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A severe shortage of food affecting a large
number of people. Famines arise when one
group in a society loses its opportunity to
exchange its labour or possessions for food.
Most Western famine-relief agencies, such as
the International Red Cross, set out to
supply food or to increase its local
production, rather than becoming involved in
local politics. The food availability deficit
(FAD) theory, was challenged in the 1980s.
Crop failures do not inevitably lead to
famine; nor is it always the case that
adequate food supplies are not available
nearby. For example, in 1990 the Ethiopian
air force bombed grain depots in a rebel held
area.