Food security - millions still cannot afford enough to eat

Rising global food prices have affected the ways in which people have been breaking their fasts during Ramadan

The Islamic celebration of Eid is now with us and millions of Muslims across the world are celebrating as the month of Ramadan draws to a close. A mass of people have been fasting in a month in which they will reflect on faith and give to charity. As international director for Oxfam, I have been in close contact with many of my Muslim colleagues. For me, the thought of refraining from food and water from sunrise to sunset can be challenging one and a real test of endurance. Especially, in many of the world's hot climates.

And for many across the Muslim world, it has been a tough month as we have seen through our research. Rising food prices have affected the ways in which people have been breaking their fasts, and we have seen that many have been eating less due to this phenomenon. The day-to-day challenges of getting enough to eat has become alarming. East Africa is one of the starkest examples, where more than 12 million people are facing desperate food shortages - following the worst drought in 60 years, in some regions.

In Pakistan, prices of staple items increased by 17 per cent ahead of Ramadan - making food much more expensive for people, compared to last year. Since the beginning of Ramadan in Bangladesh, prices of all staples except rice have increased significantly. Because of this, millions of people across the country do not have adequate food.

In Yemen - families have been saying that sugar, rice and wheat are more expensive this Ramadan and for many there this has been one of the toughest holy months. One desperate woman we spoke to said she had been worrying about what she would be breaking her fast with that evening, as she could not afford food. And the list goes on in countries all around the world. So why are we seeing food prices rising so dramatically now? Price spikes have many causes – the changing climate, oil prices, dysfunctional commodities markets and biofuels policies that mean crops end up in cars and not on plates.

What is needed is the political will to ensure a more sustainable and fair future by better regulating markets, tackling climate change and investing in sustainable agriculture to ensure people have enough to eat. We must ensure that governments work together to deal with food price crises effectively and to tackle the problems that mean millions of people cannot afford enough to eat. It is time for us to make sure that the crisis is dealt with properly and the injustice of people going hungry is put a stop to. We must also ensure that when people break their fasts next Ramadan, they will have enough to eat.

Penny Lawrence is international director at Oxfam