Amidst all the chaos of the war, starvation swept the nation of Mexico. There was no concrete leadership in Mexico at the time so no one was leading the fight to end hunger. Many of the nation's resources were poured into the war so public service was ignored and the people were left to fend for themselves. Many leaders who were fighting to bring opportunities to the lower class, left them without resources and aid. The image shows starving women and children, trying to get food for their families. The poverty and starvation can be seen in The Murmur Of Bees through characters like Anselmo. 

Rodríguez ME. Symposium: Mexico in 1915. Epidemics, hunger, and health care. Gac Med Mex. 2016;152(2):252. “Hellraisers Journal: ‘Those Who Have Starved Others Should Themselves Taste Hunger." ~General Villa.” Daily Kos, www.dailykos.com/story/2015/8/27/1407814/-Hellraisers-Journal-Those-who-....