When crisis becomes "calamity"

Natural phenomena are causing severe conditions in many countries around the world, causing and in some cases, exacerbating, food shortages that are affecting large populations.

The BBC reports that in Guatemala, President Alvaro Colom has sprung into action, declaring a “state of public calamity” and seeking to aid 54,000 Guatemalans whose access to food has been diminished by the effects of harsh weather on crops.  The World Food Programme is already assisting those in dire need and President Colom is opening up public funding for those affected to purchase food.

In Mexico, severe drought during the traditional “wet season,” suspected to be driven by atmospheric changes from “El Niño,” have hampered growing of corn, beans, barley and sorghum, as well as raising livestock.  According to the Los Angeles Times,

Farmers and officials say the impact, including lost earnings, unpaid debts and shortages of staple foods, could be felt well into next year.

‘Although no one wants to recognize it, there is a food crisis,’ said Cruz Lopez Aguilar, president of a national federation representing rural dwellers. He and others say increasing imports to make up for lost crops could raise food costs.

Mexican officials downplay the severity, saying lost production can be offset during the fall growing cycle, when crops are irrigated and rely less on direct rainfall. A federal government insurance program is meant to cover farmers affected by drought.

The monsoon cycle which typically irrigates India’s rice crops have appeared late this year, plunging half of India into drought and reducing crop forecasts by 20%.  The Indian government has reacted with a “stimulus package” to give farmers money for “short duration” crops, which can still take advantage of the late monsoon.

In a region where food supplies are already curtailed by conflict, East Africa has also suffered from sparse rainfall, causing drought that has affected Somalia and Kenya. According to the Toronto Star, “…7.5 million people [in Somalia]  need humanitarian aid and one in five children is malnourished.”  In Kenya, which has “suffered at least three consecutive droughts,” staple crops such as maize…are expected to shrink by 28 per cent from the yearly average.”