What is the leading NATURAL cause for suffering in Africa?

Natural, so not warfare or government but rather disease, famine, drought, etc. What is the primary issue to be addressed and how are they to be addressed? Like I said, I don't want human-induced suffering, so exclude most references to conflicts in the Congo or Sudan. I just want to know what keeps societies in Africa from thriving. For instance, if an African tribe were to sever its cultural and sentimental ties to a famine-plagued region, and moved to place, would it help matters? Is petty culture and stubborn religion and our exuberant tolerance for such things responsible for Africa's downfall? I don't why, it just seems like why don't they just move to a new location, upgrade to the 21st century, and tell the whacked-out hippies to forget preserving ancient cultures at the price of human lives. I'm just trying to prevent myself from pitying these people, like so many seem to do. I want to respect them. I want to know, they're doing everything in their power to overcome their woes