“Ethiopia faces a desperate food crisis that has been compared to the country's 1984-85 famine that claimed an estimated one million lives.” The author says.

Is it any wonder? If they had problems with a population of 42.6 million in 1984, it is reasonable to expect difficulties with the current 79 million (and increasing at 2.5%, with women having a total fertility rate of 5.3).

He also states “At least seven out of 10 of the world’s hungry are women and girls. Responses by the Federal Government need to focus on meeting the needs of poor women in affected countries and incorporate an understanding of women’s role in agriculture, waged work and the household.”

How strange it is that the author carefully excises from discussion any mention of a requirement to understand poor women's need, and almost-universal wish, to be able to control their own fertility: an ability currently being discouraged by political pressure from religious-fundamental lobbyists both in the USA and in Australia.

Does the author not want to overcome the problem? Perhaps wishes to forever continue his accumulation of "do-good" brownie-points at the expense of others' human misery

Colinsett, great points! It even hit Bob Geldorf, when he went
back 20 years later.

I watched a documentary the other day, I think it was from Niger, IIRC.
The guy was complaining that he did not have enough food
to feed his family. Next thing he was proudly saying that he
has 11 children! No wonder there is a problem.

The reality in part of Africa is that these girls are married off
at a very young age, thats why the huge fistula problems. They
are then expected to pop out baby after baby, with little say in
the matter.

Giving these women family planning would empower them to make
decisions about their lives. Alot was being done, but of course
the religious fundamentalists backed by George Bush changed alot
of that. Abstinence was to be preached. Ha! It did not even work
for Sarah Palin's daughter and has been a huge failure. Even
for Catholic priests who can't keep their pants up.

I read a little while ago - sorry, I do not have the reference - that South Australia produces enough food to feed 90 million people. SA is not regarded as particularly productive, but if this figure is anything like accurate, then there is only one problem: stop feeding all that food to the animals!
A more vegetarian diet would make a very large difference to food scarcity. The Green Man says, "Eat less meat!"