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Food staples starting to run out in Egypt

By Salma Abdelaziz, CNN
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Egypt facing food shortages
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Many grocers have closed
  • Food shipments are spotty
  • Many families afraid to go out to shop

(CNN) -- While discontent, resentment and nationalism continue to fuel demonstrations, one vital staple is in short supply: food.

Many families in Egypt are fast running out of staples such as bread, beans and rice and are often unable or unwilling to shop for groceries.

"Everything is running out. I have three children, and I only have enough to feed them for maybe two more days. After that I do not know what we will do." school administrator Gamalat Gadalla told CNN.

The unrest has paralyzed daily life in Egypt with many grocers closing shop and spotty food shipments.

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RELATED TOPICS
  • Egypt
  • Hosni Mubarak

"With the curfew, there are no restaurants, food or gas. Basic goods will soon be in shortage," Sandmonkey, an Egyptian blogger said via Twitter.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak has ordered a curfew in Egypt to be extended from 3 p.m. to 8 a.m. on Monday, further stifling normal life in the embattled nation.

Egyptian state-run Nile TV has set up a hotline for citizens to call in and report bread shortages. There has been no other indication of what the Egyptian government is doing to address the crisis.