scourge

疟疾仍然是许多热带国家的灾难。

Malaria remains the ___scourge of many tropical countries.

干旱是当地农民长期面临的灾难。

Drought has been a ___scourge for local farmers for many years.

毒品走私已成为边境地区一个长期存在的祸害。

Drug trafficking has become a persistent ___scourge in the border region.