The Bengal famine of 1943 was a devastating famine in Bengal province during World War II that resulted in an estimated 2-3 million deaths from starvation, disease, or other deprivation. The famine was caused by multiple factors, including a poor harvest in 1942, restrictions on rice imports from Burma after its occupation by Japan, and wartime disruptions to supply that led to rapid food price inflation. Malaria accounted for over 40% of the excess deaths in 1943 and over 70% in 1944, while cholera also caused many deaths in 1943.