The Somalian Famine and Horn of Africa Crisis of 2011

Case Study

Objective

• To examine [consider an argument or concept in a way that uncovers the assumptions and interrelationships of the issue] the variety of causes responsible for the Somalian Famine and Horn of Africa Crisis 2011.

Starting Activity

• Watch this video, “Pushed to the Edge at Kenya’s Dadaab Refugee Camps” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_cQfyrY0aA

• In your notebooks, jot down a list of 5 facts that you learned, that you can discuss with a partner to begin conversations around this famine.

Review of important terminology Temporary Hunger

A short term need for food, triggered by physiological responses caused by food deprivation.

Chronic Hunger

A state of extreme hunger which results from a shortage of appropriate food for a prolonged period of time.

Famine Famine is defined technically as: “a situation where acute malnutrition rates among children exceed 30%, more than 2 people per 10 000 die per day, and people are not able to access food and other basic necessities...”

Something to remember before we start…

• The reasons for famine are multi-faceted and are not as straight-forward as they might first appear.

• The word famine even if used in various ways comes down to “an extreme shortage of accessible food, which leads to increased mortality”.

• Famine does not have to mean that food is unavailable, but that there is unequal access to it, or difficulty in accessing it.

Horn of Africa

Activity #1

• Spend the next 12 minutes close reading and annotating the following article:

• “Study Suggests 258,000 Somalis died due to severe food insecurity and famine” published by FSNAU (Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit- Somalia)

• With an elbow partner, discuss and document the questions found on your activity sheet.

Activity #2

• What were the environmental and economic factors that led to famine?

• “Famine Strikes the Horn of Africa” Interactive Map

• http://www.voanews.com/content/famine-in-somalia-129447883/158801.html

• Use the interactive site to add to your mind map.

Activity #3

• “Somalia Refugees Share their Stories” The Guardian

• Read the stories from 3 Somalia Refugees. • Record the main points of their testimonials

on your mind map.

Activity #4

• The United Nations Official Declares a Famine• What’s the difference between a famine and a

food emergency? • What’s the pattern shown in relation to both?

Activity #5:

• “Horn of Africa Drought: A vision of hell at the Dadaab refugee camp” by Ben Brown

• Read the article and then add information to your mind map relating to the human toll of the famine.

Activity #6

• Review what you’ve done. • Meet in small groups to discuss your mind

maps and sources. • Add/Subtract/Revise

Activity #7• With the same small groups, work on completing the essay

planning tool provided in order to answer the following prompt:

• "There is no such thing as an apolitical food problem..." Amartya Sen, Nobel Prize Winning Economist. Discuss this statement with reference to the Somalian Famine of 2011.

• You will work on this essay planning tool in groups, however you will submit the actual written essay to Turnitin.com individually. Utilize any and all resources provided in this case study as evidence.