Egypt's Rampant Inflation Squeezes Ramadan Charities
For Egypt, and four other nations in the Middle East-North Africa region, the holy month of Ramadan comes at a time when food inflation has topped 60 percent. In Cairo, photojournalist Hamada Elrasam captures a series of charity iftars, or fast-breaking dinners for lower-income worshippers, as higher food prices mean fewer servings and more hunger. Captions by Elle Kurancid.
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This charity iftar cut fresh fruit and salads from their menu in order to serve more lower-income worshippers, Cairo. (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
![Youssef, whose business-owning family has put on charity iftars for 36 years, says, “We usually serve pieces of meat, but this year, we’re only offering rissoles [roasted meat with herbs and beans] so more people can eat.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)](https://gdb.voanews.com/01000000-0aff-0242-b0ef-08db35b5816f_cx0_cy4_cw0_w1024_q10_r1_s.jpg)
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Youssef, whose business-owning family has put on charity iftars for 36 years, says, “We usually serve pieces of meat, but this year, we’re only offering rissoles [roasted meat with herbs and beans] so more people can eat.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
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Ahmed, a chef and charity iftar volunteer, says, “We’re only cooking pasta because the price of rice is so high, and there wouldn’t be enough servings for those in need.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)
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Karem, a volunteer who, along with his son Mohamed, prepares about 250 daily iftar meals, says, “We made 500 Ramadan meals a day last year. Today, we’re lucky, though, since we received a donation of meat and rice.” (Hamada Elrasam/VOA)