自然灾害 is not unique. But that a lot of people were hungry was unique in 59 to 61 after 1949. Mao and GCD did a bad job during those years. I am pretty sure that from now on, no matter what 自然灾害 is, most Chinese will not need rationing for food, simply because Mao is dead. Even a Chinese leader said the hardships was 3 parts of 害 and 7 parts of man made.