Famine: Myth vs Fact

Myth: Famine happens overnight.

Fact: Famine develops over time, with clear warning signs.

Myth: Famine just means food shortages.

Fact: Famine is a complex crisis driven by multiple factors like conflict, climate shocks, displacement, poverty and lack of healthcare. It is the most extreme, deadly level of hunger—a scientific classification, not a political statement. 

Famine is confirmed when: 

• 20%+ of households face extreme food shortages. 
• 15%+ of children are acutely malnourished, or 30%+ are dangerously thin for their height. 
• At least 2 people per 10,000 die each day from hunger or related causes. 
   

When the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) confirmed famine in Gaza on August 22, 2025, the evidence was clear: children and families are already starving to death.

Myth: Famine only happens in Africa.

Fact: Famine can occur anywhere. Gaza, Yemen, Afghanistan—and now Sudan.

In Gaza, famine has spread from Gaza City into Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis, and conditions in the north are likely just as dire.

In Sudan, famine is already unfolding in the Zamzam displacement camp near Al Fasher. Officials warn it is likely also taking hold in other camps across Darfur.

The Sudan conflict has created the world’s largest hunger crisis. With devastating floods, cholera outbreaks, mass displacement, and aid restrictions compounding the crisis, some experts fear this could become one of the worst famines in modern history.

Myth: Famine is a natural disaster.

Fact: Most famines today are man-made—driven by war, sieges, blockades and political decisions.

Myth: We have to wait for famine to be declared before responding.

Fact: Waiting costs lives. Early action saves them.

Myth: Aid will automatically arrive after famine is declared.

Fact: A famine declaration is a desperate call to action—but aid still depends on political will, safe access and funding.

Myth: Children are resilient—they’ll bounce back once aid arrives.

Fact: Many effects of famine cannot be reversed. Children who are malnourished have a higher likelihood of dying from common illnesses such as diarrhea and pneumonia. Severe acute malnutrition can cause muscle wasting, blurred vision and organ damage.

In Gaza, 132,000 children under five could die by June 2026 if the siege continues.

In Save the Children clinics, 61% of pregnant women and new mothers were malnourished in the first two weeks of August, up from just 9% in March. Malnourished mothers are more likely to give birth to underweight babies, perpetuating a cycle of suffering for generations.

In Sudan, millions of children are at risk of dying from a combination of starvation and preventable disease.

Famine doesn’t just kill—it leaves lifelong scars.

Myth: Aid is reaching families in time.

Fact: A trickle of aid is not enough.

In Gaza, Save the Children hasn’t been able to get aid in since March 2, 2025. Forty-five trucks loaded with medicine and relief supplies remain stuck. Doctors at Save the Children health clinics are treating double their recommended caseloads—about 100 patients a day.

As Save the Children CEO Inger Ashing warns: “All of Gaza is being systematically starved by design, and children are paying the highest price.”

In Sudan, access is blocked by conflict, floods and restrictions. Yet thanks to supporters, Save the Children and 17 local partners have still reached over 1.2 million people—including 777,100 children—with health, nutrition, education, and food support.

Myth: Famine was inevitable.

Fact: Famine is preventable—but only if aid flows freely.

A famine determination means there are no more alarm bells left. Governments save lives by lifting restrictions and funding humanitarian response at scale.

Myth: Ordinary people can’t make a difference.

Fact: You can.

Donations, advocacy, and pressuring governments can all help. Food aid alone isn’t enough—ending famine requires safe humanitarian access, healthcare, clean water and long-term investment in resilience.