Jeanne's Cookies: This Ramadan, I’m thinking about children living through war, hunger and fear

Friend,

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been observing Ramadan — a sacred month for Muslims around the world. From dawn until sunset, we fast. It’s a time of worship, reflection, discipline, gratitude and generosity.

At its heart, Ramadan is about empathy. Experiencing hunger and thirst, even briefly, is a powerful reminder of the millions of children and their families who endure that reality every day – not by choice, but because of circumstances beyond their control.

This year during Ramadan, my heart feels especially heavy. I'm sure that, like me, you've been watching the news with horror as events unfold across the Middle East and the wider region. Putting politics aside, it's children who are suffering the most.

Across the Middle East, the places where children learn, live and play have come under attack. More than 100 children have been killed in strikes on a school in Iran. Retaliatory airstrikes in surrounding countries have killed and injured hundreds more.

In Gaza, children have endured more than 2 years of devastating violence. Even with limited aid entering the region, children remain at crisis levels of hunger. Almost 1.5 million people are still living in displacement sites and tents. One mother told our colleague in Gaza: “I bought Ramadan decorations so my children could feel joy, but my own heart feels extinguished. There is no celebration in me while we are displaced.”

In Sudan, conflict has displaced millions, and famine has already been confirmed in parts of the country. More than 15 million children there urgently need humanitarian assistance.

Many families around the world are fasting this month — but for some, hunger doesn’t end at sunset. Your support today can bring emergency food, essential nutrition, and lifesaving aid to children in desperate need.

Rufida and her son, Ali, at a Save the Children health center

That was true for Rufida* and her 4-year-old son, Ali*. After months of conflict, they fled their home to find safety. Their journey took months, moving between relatives’ homes and small villages where food was scarce. Days often passed with nothing to eat — and Ali began showing signs of malnutrition.

When they finally reached the city of El Obeid, a Save the Children team screened Ali and referred him to a health center. Rufida now receives monthly food rations, while Ali receives regular follow-ups to ensure he’s growing healthy and strong.

Save the Children is helping millions of families like Rufida’s who face hunger, conflict and poverty – in Gaza, Sudan and around the world.

Friend, in the Muslim community, there’s a powerful teaching that we are like one body — when one part suffers, the whole feels it. So when one child suffers, we all feel the pain.

Whether you observe Ramadan or are learning about it for the first time, I hope you’ll join me in honoring this month by showing up for children facing war, hunger and other crises.

If you’re able, please consider making a gift. Your support can help deliver emergency food, nutrition care and lifesaving aid to children in crisis.

In this month of compassion and generosity, we have the opportunity to turn reflection into action for children and their families.

Wishing you peace and blessings this Ramadan,

Tanjum Chowdhury
Email Marketing
Save the Children