In the communist countries, famines have been common in their histories, isn’t?

Yes, famines have occurred in several communist countries throughout history. Some of the most notable examples include:

1. **Soviet Union**: The Soviet famine of 1932–1933, also known as the Holodomor in Ukraine, resulted from policies such as forced collectivization, grain requisitioning, and the repression of kulaks (wealthier peasants).

2. **China**: The Great Chinese Famine from 1959 to 1961, which resulted from the policies of the Great Leap Forward, including forced collectivization, unrealistic production quotas, and a breakdown of the food distribution system.

3. **North Korea**: The famine in the mid-1990s, often referred to as the "Arduous March," was caused by a combination of economic mismanagement, loss of Soviet support, and natural disasters.

These famines were often exacerbated by government policies and political decisions that disrupted agricultural production and food distribution, leading to widespread hunger and mortality.

How about in other communist countries?

Famines have also affected other communist countries, although not always to the same extent as in the Soviet Union, China, or North Korea. Here are a few examples:

1. **Cambodia**: Under the Khmer Rouge regime from 1975 to 1979, there was widespread starvation due to forced labor, displacement, and the regime's disastrous agricultural policies. It's estimated that up to two million people died from starvation, disease, and execution.

2. **Ethiopia**: The Ethiopian famine of 1983–1985 occurred during the rule of the Derg, a Marxist-Leninist government. While drought was a significant factor, government policies, including forced resettlement and collectivization, exacerbated the crisis, contributing to hundreds of thousands of deaths.

3. **Vietnam**: While Vietnam experienced food shortages and hardship, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s, it did not suffer a famine on the same scale as the aforementioned examples. The country’s collectivization policies and the war's aftermath led to significant food insecurity and malnutrition.

4. **Cuba**: Cuba experienced severe food shortages and malnutrition during the Special Period in the early 1990s following the collapse of the Soviet Union. While not a famine in the traditional sense, the economic crisis led to widespread hunger and hardship.

While not all communist countries experienced famines, many faced significant food shortages and agricultural challenges due to various factors, including political policies, economic mismanagement, and external pressures.