21.  When he had to drop out of the missionary program because of his severe food allergies, he was terribly disappointed.

22.  Plagued by a string of weather disasters, North Korea also has faced severe food shortages in recent years that have encouraged Pyongyang to open up to international aid.

23.  A four-day trucker strike that has paralyzed roads and caused severe food and gas shortages across Brazil ended Thursday, the government said.

24.  A growing number of people have fled the North in recent years, complaining of severe food shortages and other hardships.

25.  A severe drought in the Juba valley, coupled with generalized fighting, has created severe food shortages in the region.

26.  All defectors from the isolated Stalinist state have described severe food shortages and factories are said to be stopped because of power shortages.

27.  All have reported severe food shortages in the reclusive North.

28.  Ahmed said he believes the people of Iraq, suffering under severe food shortages and other hardships, would support his defection,

29.  All complained about severe food and fuel shortages in their country.

30.  Already stricken by severe food shortages, North Korea said Thursday that droughts are setting in across the isolated communist state during the crucial planting season.