Malnutrition and Mortality During Recent Famines in Ethiopia: Implications for Food Aid and Rehabilitation

Abstract

The 1972-73 and 1984-85 classes, as well as their coping strategies, morbidity and mortality experience during times of disaster . The purpose of this paper is to contribute to the debate about differential drought and famine occurrence and nutritional impact during the 1973-74 famine, when an estimated 250,000 people died, and during the 1984-85 famine, when about 1,000,000 people died (Asmerom Kidane, 1989). We review selected works on vulnerability and coping DISASTERS VOLUME 18 NUMBER 2

Trends and spatial patterns of drought incidence in the omo‐ghibe river basin, ethiopia

“…Evidence from empirical studies shows that drought episodes in Ethiopia are highly associated with crop damage and food insecurity in drought‐affected parts (Kiros ; Webb ; Kloos and Lindtjorn ; World Bank ). Crop failures and livestock deaths were reported for drought‐affected regions (see Table for some details).…”

“…The effects of droughts both on crop and livestock productions are often exacerbated by other drought‐induced phenomena, such as disease epidemics and insect infestations (Kiros ). Past drought episodes significantly affected rural communities that depend on small‐scale rain‐fed agriculture (Kloos and Lindtjorn ; Meze‐Hausken ). Drought occurrence usually results in food shortage and malnutrition that lead to human deaths, food aid needs and mass migrations among the rural communities.…”

Food aid in emergencies: a case for wheat?

“…Intoxications due to lathyrism, ergotism and other poisons have also been reported in displaced persons in Ethiopia who eat wild gathered foods to stave off famine (Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994), contributing to the range of public health problems that affect refugees and displaced persons (Shoham, 1992; Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition, 1997;Mears & Young, 1998). Thus, despite reliance on rations, nutritional status could be better where refugees were self-sufficient, as was found in Rwanda (Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994; Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition, 1997). The design of the ration, including how much should be distributed relative to recipients' dietary energy and nutrient requirements, could be flawed by technical weaknesses, as pragmatic considerations overwhelm nutritional considerations; e.g.…”

“…Food aid has been severely criticized as 'too little, too late' as refugees and displaced persons in famine shelters have high mortality rates due to disease, and experience severe protein-energy malnutrition and micronutrient deficiencies, e.g. ascorbic acid and thiamin (Shoham, 1992;Seaman, 1993b;Toole, 1993;Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994). Intoxications due to lathyrism, ergotism and other poisons have also been reported in displaced persons in Ethiopia who eat wild gathered foods to stave off famine (Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994), contributing to the range of public health problems that affect refugees and displaced persons (Shoham, 1992; Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition, 1997;Mears & Young, 1998).…”

“…ascorbic acid and thiamin (Shoham, 1992;Seaman, 1993b;Toole, 1993;Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994). Intoxications due to lathyrism, ergotism and other poisons have also been reported in displaced persons in Ethiopia who eat wild gathered foods to stave off famine (Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994), contributing to the range of public health problems that affect refugees and displaced persons (Shoham, 1992; Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition, 1997;Mears & Young, 1998). Thus, despite reliance on rations, nutritional status could be better where refugees were self-sufficient, as was found in Rwanda (Kloos & Lindtjorn, 1994; Administrative Committee on Coordination/Sub-Committee on Nutrition, 1997).…”