The Ethiopian famine, particularly the devastating period that peaked in the mid-1980s, was primarily caused by a catastrophic combination of severe drought and protracted armed conflict.
Understanding the Dual Crisis
The tragic conditions leading to the famine were a result of both environmental hardship and human-made instability, creating a crisis that severely impacted millions.
Severe Drought Conditions
Ethiopia experienced a severe drought that significantly reduced rainfall, leading to widespread crop failures and a drastic decline in agricultural output. This natural disaster severely depleted food reserves and water sources, pushing the population towards widespread hunger and malnutrition. The dismal environmental conditions laid the groundwork for a humanitarian catastrophe.
Impact of Armed Conflict
Compounding the natural disaster was the pervasive impact of armed conflict. Both the Tigran and Eritrean liberation fronts initiated a series of insurgency measures against the Ethiopian government. These ongoing battles had several critical consequences:
- Disruption of Agriculture: Fighting disrupted farming cycles, preventing farmers from planting or harvesting crops effectively.
- Hindrance of Aid Distribution: The conflict made it extremely difficult and dangerous for humanitarian aid to reach affected populations, leading to aid trickling in slowly throughout spring 1984, despite the famine setting in during winter 1984.
- Displacement of Populations: Conflict led to mass displacement, forcing people from their homes and livelihoods, further exacerbating food insecurity.
The combination of these battles and the already dismal conditions of severe drought culminated in the widespread famine by winter 1984, marking one of the most severe humanitarian crises in recent history.
