UN Warns of Hunger Threat for 40 Million in Middle East During Ramadan

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Body TextThe Middle East is confronting one of its most severe food crises in recent years as Ramadan begins, with the UN’s World Food Programme (WFP) sounding the alarm about a “severe funding crunch” hampering efforts to address the situation.

According to the WFP, 40 million people out of the region’s 400 million are now facing acute food insecurity, with 11 million struggling to find enough food for their families daily.

Of particular concern is Gaza, where the entire population is in dire need of food assistance, with over half a million people at risk of starvation. The WFP attributes this crisis to a significant reduction in Gaza’s food supply, exacerbated by an arduous Israeli approval process for aid shipments.

The Food and Agriculture Organization notes a drop in its food price index in 2023, but the WFP warns that countries facing currency devaluation and high inflation will continue to experience domestic food inflation.

Corinne Fleischer, WFP’s regional director for the Middle East, North Africa, and Eastern Europe, emphasizes that Ramadan, traditionally a time of generosity, has become a burden for millions due to high food prices and stagnant incomes. Conflict and food shortages are transforming fasting during Ramadan from a religious practice into a daily struggle for survival for many.