In an era of unparalleled affluence, famine has hugely declined, still remains a threat for war-affected communities in Africa and elsewhere. Famines caused an unprecedented 97. million deaths during the twentieth century. Eradication of famine in Europe and near eradication in Asia in the second half of the twentieth century was a milestone in the history of famine. Causal factors as well as community and individual responses to famine vary greatly according to the local political, cultural, and economic context. What has worked in Asia does not apply for Africa and the Middle East, and new strategies to mitigate the effects of and foremost to prevent conflict-related famines are required. Food crises may yet recur, driven by climate change.