Which one of the following countries has been suffering from decades of civil strife and food shortages and was in news in the recent past for its very severe famine?
- (a) Angola
- (b) Costa Rica
- (c) Ecuador
- (d) Somalia ✓ UPSC's answer
Why the answer is (d)
• Somalia in the Horn of Africa has endured civil war since the collapse of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, with al-Shabaab insurgency, clan conflict and weak central government.
• Combined with recurrent drought, this has produced repeated food crises: the 2011 famine killed about 260,000 people, and in 2022–23 the UN warned of famine after five failed rainy seasons — option (d).
• Angola had a civil war until 2002 but no recent famine; Costa Rica and Ecuador are stable Latin American countries without such crises.
• Hence option (d).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Angola
- Angola's civil war ended in 2002 and it has had no recent famine.
- (b) Costa Rica
- Costa Rica is a stable, peaceful country.
- (c) Ecuador
- Ecuador has not suffered civil strife or famine.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2023, held on 28 May 2023. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.