I sincerely doubt that ANY babies/children died because their mothers couldn't provide formula. Don't start a rumor that you can't back up with facts please. Urban myths aside, I did hear a woman worry that she only had one more can of formula for her baby. Not one mention afterwards of starving babies at all.
I would be more concerned about contaminated water mixing with formula than running out of the stuff. It's one of the primary reasons in third world regions that WHO supports breastfeeding as long as possible.
