New data shows: 600 million people in Islamic countries suffer from famine

RELIGIONS NEWS AGENCY (REDNA) – More than 600 million people in Muslim-majority countries do not have enough food as the holy month of Ramadan gets underway.

Based on data compiled by the Islamic Relief Charity in Gaza, the Israeli bombardment and blockade in response to the Hamas attacks of 7 October has cut off food supplies for many families.

The global body responsible for declaring famine, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, reports that 1.1 million people, half the population of Gaza, is already starving and there could be in a famine by July.

Islamic Relief says the war in Sudan has reportedly left nearly half the population facing food insecurity. Afghanistan is suffering its worst drought in 30 years with increasing food shortages leaving more than 23 million people in need of aid.

In Somalia extreme weather conditions such as drought or floods have pushed millions into hunger. More than 345 million people worldwide are currently living in Phase 3 (“Crisis”), Phase 4 (“Emergency”), or Phase 5 (“Catastrophe”) levels of food insecurity, according to the scale used by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification.

Of these, Islamic Relief analysis says that around 37 per cent – about 127 million – are living in Muslim-majority countries. In addition, it says millions of other Muslims in non-Muslim-majority countries where it works – such as in Ethiopia, Kenya and Myanmar – are also suffering from severe hunger.