![](/images/logo/africanews.jpg)
Thursday March 31, 2022
![](/2022/images/Mar/2022331637842866191078856.jpg)
Russia's invasion of Ukraine has exacerbated food shortages
in many parts of Africa and the Middle East and forced Muslim's preparations
for the holy month of Ramadan to turn to more frugal iftar sunset meals.
In Somalia, Muslims who traditionally break a dawn-to-dusk
fast with lavish family meals are now struggling to secure even the most basic
staples in light of skyrocketing food and fuel prices.
Russia and Ukraine, with vast grain-growing regions that are
among the world's main breadbaskets, account for a huge share of the globe's
exports in several major commodities such as wheat, vegetable oil and corn.
The disruption in exports has spurred fears of a global
hunger crisis, especially across the Middle East and Africa, where the knock-on
effects are already playing out.
Somalia, which is grappling with an Islamist insurgency and
its worst drought in 40 years, is also gearing up for a grim Ramadan as rising
prices slash the purchasing power of the 15-million strong population.
"The country’s past civil war, political crisis,
election delays, recurrent droughts and rising food prices can negatively
impact the people during the holy month of Ramadan," explains Mogadishu
resident, Adla Nur. "This Ramadan will be very different fuel and food prices
are skyrocketing."
Food donation drops
For another resident, Gallad Mohamed Hassan, the Russia and
Ukraine war has badly affected the economy, in particular, imported goods
whether it is fuel or foodstuffs.
"In regard to transportation, drivers charge more as fuel
prices are high and food prices also went up," says Hassan. Across the
country, the population is resigned to spending a more sombre Ramadan.
Food donations, a common custom during the holy month, have
dropped to a trickle, with former benefactors now struggling to source basics
for themselves.
"The country faces high inflation, which is now close
to reaching a hundred per cent increase," says economic analyst, Dr
Shafi’i Sharif Mohamed. "For example, if your monthly expenditure used to
be $100 last year, now you need $200 to live or survive. Rent, food fuel and
thus transportation prices have increased. That has a bad effect on people’s
lives."
Ramadan is due to start in the next few days and will end
with the feast of Eid al-Fitr.