The 1980s Ethiopia famine was one of the worst humanitarian events of the 20th century, galvanizing the world’s attention to end widespread starvation and save lives.
Ethiopia’s food shortages and hunger crisis from 1983 to 1985 led to an estimated 1 million famine deaths, according to the United Nations. Millions more people were displaced and left destitute, without resources to rebuild their lives. The famine was also an important landmark in the history of global humanitarianism.
A perfect storm of adverse events led to the Ethiopia famine: recurring drought, failed harvests, food scarcity, conflict that kept aid from reaching people in occupied territory, and government policies that relocated families and routed relief to certain areas.
Where in Ethiopia was the famine located?
The worst effects of drought and deprivation were in northern Ethiopia, where there were also border conflicts.