How is relief from famine and severe hunger accomplished? Why does food aid sometimes aggravate poverty and hunger?

Relief from famine and severe hunger is generally accomplished through a series of steps. First and foremost, it requires the immediate provision of food supplies to those in need. This can be done through donations or through government-provided relief. Living conditions are also usually improved, with programs put in place to ensure access to clean water and sanitation, as these can significantly affect a person's ability to absorb and use the nutrients from food effectively. Lastly, interventions are commonly targeted at safeguarding livelihoods, instigating cash-help or job creation schemes. This helps create a sustainable future beyond immediate relief.

While food aid may seem unequivocally beneficial, it can sometimes aggravate poverty and hunger. Three key reasons exist for this occurrence. Firstly, food aid can interrupt local food markets. When large amounts of free or subsidized food are introduced into a region, local farmers and food retailers can find it hard to compete. This may cause economic hardship and exacerbate the poverty cycle. Secondly, food aid can create dependency if the root causes of poverty aren't tackled. Recipients might become reliant on aid, which does not solve the problem of food insecurity on a long-term basis. Thirdly, the distribution of food aid sometimes fails to prioritize the most vulnerable and may be manipulated by local power structures.

Combining the information from Step 1 and Step 2, it's clear that relief from famine and severe hunger requires much more than food provision. There must be efforts to improve living conditions, provide clean water and sanitation, and safeguard livelihoods. Food aid, while important, must be approached carefully; its delivery should not disrupt local markets, foster dependency, or exclude those most in need.