In Africa, the combined impact of war, hunger, and other societal issues has unfortunately resulted in a significant loss of lives. While it is challenging to provide an exact number due to the complexity and constantly changing nature of these issues, various sources have estimated the scale of the problem.

One of the major causes of death in Africa is armed conflict. For example, the ongoing civil war in South Sudan, which started in 2013, has led to a devastating loss of lives. According to the United Nations, as of 2020, the conflict has resulted in an estimated 383,000 deaths. Similarly, the conflict in the Democratic Republic of Congo, which has been ongoing for decades, has claimed millions of lives.

Hunger and malnutrition are also significant contributors to mortality rates in Africa. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reports that in Sub-Saharan Africa, approximately 239 million people suffer from chronic undernourishment. This chronic food insecurity leads to weakened immune systems and increased vulnerability to diseases, ultimately resulting in premature deaths.

Other societal issues, such as inadequate healthcare infrastructure and limited access to clean water and sanitation, further exacerbate the mortality rates. For instance, according to the World Health Organization, Africa has the highest maternal mortality rate in the world, with an estimated 533 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births.

It is important to note that these figures are constantly changing, and the true extent of the problem may be even higher due to underreporting and lack of comprehensive data in some regions. However, they provide a glimpse into the magnitude of the challenges faced by Africa.

References:

1. United Nations. (2020). South Sudan: Humanitarian Snapshot (As of 30 June 2020). Retrieved from https://reliefweb.int/report/south-sudan/south-sudan-humanitarian-snapshot-30-june-2020
2. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. (2020). The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World 2020. Retrieved from http://www.fao.org/publications/sofi/2020/en/
3. World Health Organization. (2019). Trends in Maternal Mortality: 2000 to 2017. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/publications/maternal-mortality-2000-2017/en/