1.  Their loss would have dire consequences for a country whose economy is in shambles and whose people are facing dire food shortages and even famine.

2.  Many of them face dire food shortages as the price of rice and other food soars.

3.  North Korea has suffered dire food shortages after three years of disastrous weather that aggravated problems caused by inefficient cooperative farming techniques.

4.  North Korea has suffered dire food shortages after three years of disastrous weather that aggravated problems caused by inefficient farming techniques.

5.  Two years of severe flooding and poor harvests have left the country facing dire food shortages.

6.  War-ravaged Chechnya could face dire food shortages this winter, a local official predicted on Friday.

7.  It could also pave the way for more international efforts to alleviate what aid workers describe as a dire food shortage in the reclusive Stalinist country.

8.  The reclusive communist state is suffering from dire food shortages which have been exacerbated by flooding.

9.  The reclusive communist state is suffering from dire food shortages which have been exacerbated by flooding since last year.

10.  TOKYO US officials say situation may become volatile in North Korea because of dire food shortages.