Editing Famine (section)

==Definitions==
According to the United Nations [[World Food Programme]], famine is declared when [[malnutrition]] is widespread, and when people have started dying from starvation through lack of access to sufficient, nutritious food.<ref>{{cite web |title=Famine prevention |url=https://www.wfp.org/famine-prevention |website=wfp.org |publisher=World Food Programme |access-date=15 February 2021 |archive-date=17 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210217034813/https://www.wfp.org/famine-prevention |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Integrated Food Security Phase Classification]] criteria define ''Phase 5 famine'' of acute food insecurity as occurring when all three of the following situations exist at the same time:<ref>{{Cite web|date=21 July 2011|title=When a food security crisis becomes a famine|url=https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/382342-when-food-security-crisis-becomes-famine|access-date=28 May 2021|website=UN News|language=en|archive-date=11 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220511062021/https://news.un.org/en/story/2011/07/382342-when-food-security-crisis-becomes-famine|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="IPC_famine" />
* At least 20% of households in an area face extreme food shortages with a limited ability to cope;
* The prevalence of acute malnutrition in children exceeds 30%;
* The death rate exceeds two people per 10,000 per day.
The declaration of a famine carries no binding obligations on the UN or member states, but serves to focus global attention on the problem.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39025927|title=South Sudan declares famine in Unity State|date=20 February 2017|access-date=20 February 2017|work=BBC News|archive-date=22 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180722044156/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39025927|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Another Definition ===
The scarcity of food refers to a situation where the availability of food is insufficient to meet the demands of a population, often resulting from factors like poor agricultural productivity, [[climate change]], political instability, or economic crisis. This shortage can lead to widespread hunger, malnutrition, and social unrest, especially in vulnerable regions. Food scarcity not only affects individual health and well-being, but also contributes to greater inequality and economic decline as prices for essential items rise dramatically, further limiting access for the poor. Addressing food scarcity requires sustainable agricultural practices, improved food distribution systems, and coordinated global efforts to alleviate poverty and inequality.