A lot of people have posted making a link between the famine and overpopulation as some sort of latter day Malthusian solution.
Numerous studies have linked family size with poverty. An ongoing civil war is hardly a situation ripe for economic advancement.
A more robust response to Al Quaeda and economic aid is the logical response, not creating some sort of hell on earth and guarding it like the Nazi rabbit warren in Watership down to prevent anyone from leaving.