Explanation:

Let's evaluate the options to fill in the blank most appropriately:

- Option 1: hungered – This word means to feel hunger or desire food. While it could make sense, it's not commonly used to describe a severe state like a famine situation.

- Option 2: starved – This word is often used to describe suffering or death due to lack of food, especially during a famine. It fits the context perfectly as it conveys the severity of the situation during a famine.

- Option 3: damaged – This refers to physical harm or injury, which does not make sense when talking about people's experiences during a famine.

- Option 4: collapsed – This usually means falling down or giving way, often due to weakness. It's not as directly related to famine as struggling with hunger.