Are the severity of famines caused by human or physical factors?

Physical factors such as changes in the El Nino weather cycle can cause famines as changes in the cycle can cause droughts in sub-saharan Africa or Southern Asia. However these droughts can be either mitigated or worsened depending on how well the contry's government and other people groups respond to the droughts. Poor government policies and an over reliance on one source of food can lead to a very severe famine. Other human factors that can lead to severe famines are war, inflation and population inbalance.

DN
Answered by Dermot N. Geography tutor

1970 Views

See similar Geography GCSE tutors

Related Geography GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What are the problems and opportunities associated with an ageing dependant population?


Study Figure 2 showing the Demographic Transition Model. Explain why death rates started to fall at the beginning of Stage 2. You should refer to two reasons in your answer.


Explain how El Niño cycles can lead to drought. (5 marks)


What are the most common challenges in urban environments?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning