Poor food situation marks start Ramadan in Darfur

High prices and extreme poverty in Darfur and the rest of the Sudan cast a shadow over the beginning of the holy month of Ramadan. An activist and camp leader of Zamzam major camps in North Darfur said, that the displaced had not received any help and food aid for two months. It was confirmed to Radio Dabanga, that they had been waiting for the arrival of food rations until the end of July, but that still nothing had arrived. On Monday, the first day of Ramadan, it is uncertain how things will turn out, as displaced people will have great need for food.  The activist told Radio Dabanga how food prices had risen recently.

Another source said, that for all displaced persons in camps in Darfur, preparations for the holy month of Ramadan this year, were quite different from all previous years. In an interview with Radio Dabanga, this source identified three big differences. First, a massive rise in the prices of goods and food, especially sugar, cooking oil, flour, and meat. Second, the majority of families have been hungry for some time, as they do not have enough money to buy food. Third, there is a large gap between food rations, that humanitarian organizations provide, and the disappearance of some of the goods. He noted, that a large number of displaced people cannot have breakfast in the streets, anymore, at which point one of the displaced burst into tears.