U.N. Declares Famine in Somalia

Staff / Truthdig Jul 21, 2011 The U.N. on Wednesday declared the first official famine of the 21st century. The designation was applied to war-torn Somalia, where tens of thousands of people -- mostly children -- have died of malnutrition. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Millions at Risk in Africa Drought

Staff / Truthdig May 28, 2010 With malnutrition already well past dangerous levels, some 10 million Africans will face extreme hunger over the next few months as the threat of famine floats across West Africa amid a drought that killed off last year's crops and has left the region's agricultural economy in ruins. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

China Dries Up

Staff / Truthdig Mar 21, 2010 A drought in southwestern China, where it has not rained in more than five months, is putting a damper on the lives of 50 million people, while costing the national economy $3 billion and leaving more than 20 million people without enough potable water. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

In Dry Times, India Will Import Food

Staff / Truthdig Aug 21, 2009 A dry spell in India's usual monsoon season has had a dramatic effect on food prices and availability, affecting more than 700 million people in the world's second most populous country. With its farmers hit hard by the drought, India is forced to begin importing food to make up for the shortages. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

California Feels the Heat

Staff / Truthdig Jun 5, 2008 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has made it official: California is in a drought. It's the first official drought declaration for the Golden State in 17 years. Schwarzenegger has threatened water rationing to protect the state's $32 billion agriculture industry. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Climate Crisis Threatens Billions

Staff / Truthdig Apr 7, 2007 The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has warned that the climate crisis could afflict billions of people, especially the poor, with food and water shortages, drought and flooding. "For the first time, we are no longer arm-waving with models; this is empirical data," explained one of the panel's leading scientists. Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )

Food Shortages Put Millions of Kenyans in Peril

Staff / Truthdig Jan 18, 2006 The poorest parts of the country can't even buy food surpluses from Kenya's own farmers. | story Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )