Famine

Major famine imminent in Nigeria as Boko Haram attacks cripple economy - ABC News ABC News (AU) reports: "The United Nations believes as many as 75,000 people could die in north-eastern Nigeria in the next 12 months unless there is a renewed contribution from the international community. Already close to five million people need food assistance. There are predictions of a major famine, mainly due to the insecurity brought about by the Islamic extremist group Boko Haram. The jihadist group claims to have established a caliphate in West Africa. It regularly carries out suicide bombings, kidnappings and merciless assaults on entire villages."

Comment: So many of the recent famines in history have been man-made, a result of war and corruption more than a lack of rainfall.