Child of Europe - Freedom Needs Food - Issue of the American Newsweek – The Post-War Famine. April, 1946

Child of Europe - Freedom Needs Food - Issue of the American Newsweek – The Post-War Famine. April, 1946

Issue of the American Newsweek newspaper from April 1, 1946 – dedicated to the food shortages in European countries at the end of World War II. 

On the title page, a touching photograph of a European child with a sad face, with the caption: "Child of Europe: Freedom Needs Food." The main article focuses on the famine in Europe following World War II and the attempts by international organizations to provide aid.

Following the cover image of the hungry European child, the central article in the issue extensively discusses Europe's efforts to address the post-war humanitarian crisis through the "Hunger Committee, " which convened in Paris after the war. The magazine describes the effects of famine on the population and reports on efforts to supply food and humanitarian aid to various countries after the war, including many advertisements urging the public to return to the workforce in agriculture and other industries.

The post-war situation in Europe was grim: destroyed infrastructure, displaced populations, economic collapse, and low agricultural production led to severe hunger in several European countries. In many European cities, long lines of citizens waited to receive meager food rations that were barely enough for a family. The famine struck many nations. In the winter of 1944-1945, the Netherlands experienced a severe famine due to a German blockade of food supplies and harsh winter conditions – over 20,000 Dutch people died from hunger or related conditions. In post-war Germany, agricultural production was significantly reduced due to the displacement of farmers and infrastructure destruction. The country faced a food shortage exacerbated by the influx of refugees from Eastern Europe and the lack of coordination in post-war aid efforts. The Allied occupation authorities attempted to provide food relief, but challenges in the supply chain and political issues, such as reparations and the dismantling of German industries, delayed the process. Greece also faced severe famine during the German occupation in World War II. The famine persisted after the war as the country struggled with a civil war, further disrupting agricultural systems. An estimated 300,000 people died from hunger during the occupation, and the nation's recovery was slow due to political instability and continued conflict. In Poland, Hungary, and other Eastern European countries, millions were displaced, and recovery was slow, with insufficient food for war refugees who were already unemployed due to the war. The Soviet Union imposed food requisition and collectivization policies in certain regions, further complicating local food supplies. Italy dealt with food shortages post-war, worsened by the collapse of the Fascist government, destruction of transportation infrastructure, and loss of agricultural productivity. The newly established United Nations provided significant humanitarian aid to war-torn areas, distributing food, clothing, and medical supplies to millions of Europeans.

96 pages. Complete issue. Good condition.