HFAO - Ethiopian Famine

Committee

Committee

The Food and Agricultural Organization:

- works on international efforts to defeat hunger and improve local economies.

- started back in 1943 and was official in 1945 with headquarters in Rome

-Composed of 8 departments

Topic : Ethiopian Famine

- 1983 a famine struck in Ethiopia

- Primary reason is considered to be the drought

- Ethiopian leaders implemented policies to restrict food supply

Topic

- Famine was sparked before the drought as to food scarcity and insecurity was presented for over a decade

- World Food Conference was organized, but could not save the famine

Menelik crowns himself emperor

Northern provinces saw the Shewan people as threat

Haile tries to cover up the famine

Mengistu's opposing group overthrew him (Civil War)

Italy's defeat

Haile Selassie back in office

Famine in Tigray

End of 19th Century

1974

1941

1983

1978

1976- 1977

Killed people against the government (EPRP) and were very affected by the Red Terror

Tigrayan ethnic group mostly affected

Famine weapon of government

TIMELINE

Discrimination in the government for food

It was for price stability, but was seen in differentiating rich and poor

Eritrean War

Eritrean War

&

Red Terror

- Claimed by the Ethiopian Empire in 1947 under Haile Selassie

- Christian and Muslim each support a different ruling making the UN interfere

-Independence was called upon (ELF)

-Communist ideology was created to fight this ideology by Mengistu

Agriculture in the Tigray Region

Case

Study 1

- Tigray are farmers who rely on their farms to make a living

- Water and land are a scarce resource

-The agricultural techniques are outdated and ineffective

- Population growth is prominent

The Ethiopian Civil War’s Impact on the Famine:

Case

Study 2

- A series of violent events pitting the new communist government against the anti-government groups

- Ethnic and armed anti-government groups which were supported by the US emerged causing tensions

- The Derg using starvation against all those who opposed its rule as well as the rebel groups (Red Terror).

- During this period, Eritrea was trying to get independence from the Ethiopian government.

- Intergovernmental and intergovernmental tensions at the borders accentuated the famine in Ethiopia where it reached its peak in 1983.

PROMINENT

ASPECTS

Climate & Geographical Conditions in Ethiopia

Agricultural Sector in Ethiopia

- Most prominent and rewarding sector in Ethiopia (makes up approximately half of the country’s GDP)

- Most job opportunities in the country come from this sector, but there is a major inability to feed the population.

-Upon the ascension of the new regime in 1974, many reforms such as restriction of hired labor and land nationalization were enacted in an attempt to boost the economy.

-The most productive season (Belg Season) for harvest output resulted in only 10% of the total harvest output in the country where 50% of the crops were grown in the Wollo province which had been suffering from socio-political sanctions.

- different climates within its borders, (it is difficult to standardize agricultural techniques)

- low levels of precipitation and is a landlocked country

- risk of hunger crises due to the difficulties in shipping goods, inability to purify sea water, and to fish

International Actions

The United States of America

The European Union

Media

Coverage

The United Nations

In 1984, BBC news showcased footage of dying and hungry Ethiopians for 6 minutes straight, which then reached international audiences.

In 1984, US provided Ethiopia with $45million and criticized Russia for only donating $3million worth of rice.

The EEC has donated 1400 tons of powdered milk and 1.8 million pounds in cash.

Multiple NGOs are ready to contribute and support the cause in Ethiopia, including Oxfam, The Red Cross, Save the Children…

Created the Office of Emergency Operations in coordination with a specialized team in Ethiopia to report to Mr. Janssen.

The UNDRO has provide 475,763 tons of grain and 33,605 tons of other food, while also leading the construction of warehouses as shelter for the Ethiopian people

Recommendations

- should be aware of their agriculture sector, land and climate.

Delegates :

- are encouraged to check if their country has been through a crises.

- focus on humanitarian aspects of the topic

- should think of relief channel as many areas are blockaded and do not have easy solutions due to political issues

- should find sustainable solutions that could solve the current crisis and mitigate the damages of future crises.

Questions to Consider

"

Delegates must not refer to any date past 1985!

"

1. Is your country able to assist and support Ethiopia by providing food, money and experts to help solve the issue?

2. Does your country posses the required resources to deal with a famine, were such a crisis was to hit your nation?

3.Has your country taken a political stance regarding the topic? Is it aiding the government or the Nothern Provinces?