Margaret Buchanan-Smith

Drought and famine in Africa: Time for effective action☆

Abstract Optimism that famine in Africa could at last be prevented has been dashed by the drought that hit Southern Africa in 1991–1992. The droughts of the 1980s led researchers to make major advances in the understanding of food security and the design of early warning systems, but the critical transition from theory to effective response has not been made.

ViewpointDrought and famine in Africa: Time for effective action☆

Abstract Optimism that famine in Africa could at last be prevented has been dashed by the drought that hit Southern Africa in 1991–1992. The droughts of the 1980s led researchers to make major advances in the understanding of food security and the design of early warning systems, but the critical transition from theory to effective response has not been made.

1. The Missing Link

W hen i was eight or nine years old, life suddenly became very difficult. Feelings began to emerge that I did not understand. Depression crept into my life as I started to feel alone, even in crowded rooms. In fact, life didn’t make much sense to me at all. It’s hard to say what sparked all of this, to pinpoint one fact or event that changed everything forever. The fact of the matter was, I was miserable from early on in my life. It was all very confusing. I remember isolating on the playground, watching all the other children laughing and playing and smiling, and not feeling like I could relate at all. I felt different. I didn’t feel as if I was one of them. Somehow, I thought, I didn’t fit in. My school marks soon reflected these feelings. My behavior and attitude seemed to become troublesome to everyone around me. I soon began spending more time in the principal’s office than in the classroom. My parents, perplexed by such an unhappy son, began having difficulties. My house was soon filled with the sounds of arguments and yelling about how to handle me. I found that running away from home could supply me with some sort of temporary solace. Until of