As your link says, "to cause to be" is a definition of the word "make". As such, the phrase and the word can be fairly interchangeable when used that way. "The jalapenos caused my salsa to be too spicy." "The jalapenos made my salsa too spicy." "Chlorine makes my hair dry." "Chlorine causes my hair to be (or to become) dry." I can't think of a circumstance where "to cause to be" would be ...
In both situations there is a lack of resources which causes people to die. This sentence should be read as follows: there's a lack of some resources, and it is this lack that's causing deaths. In effect, without those resources people die; the resources help avoid death. Unfortunately, there's a lack of those resources. This sentence makes sense, and is what you probably want to write.
What causes you concern about the clauses’ having different subjects? Consider I thought she liked ice cream.
What causes coral bleaching ? What does cause coral bleaching ? What is the difference?? Which is grammatically correct?
word choice - What causes X or What does cause X? - English Language ...
The drug causes an adverse reaction in patients with a history of heart disease. So why "make" not "cause"? As Robusto says in the above comment, "make" just sounds less forceful and somewhat nicer. However you could use either, depending on the context This drug makes me feel better (because I want to feel better)