Pakistan: Rising food prices during Ramadan set to exacerbate food insecurity

ISLAMABAD [ACTED News] - With the period of Ramadan, food insecurity in Pakistan will see a significant rise. In 2011, it was observed that prices of essential food items in Pakistan increased by 17% during the month of Ramadan (according to Oxfam International). A United Nations Millennium Development Goals report states that two-digit inflation, notably on food prices, has already significantly decreased the purchasing power of people, especially the poor in 2012. Around 60% of Pakistan’s total population is facing food insecurity as reported by Pakistan’s 2011 National Nutrition Survey. This number is expected to increase significantly with rising inflation and food prices within the coming month.