Canadian rapper Jae Deen has launched a fundraising campaign titled Starving for Sudan, in which he and more than 200 participants have pledged to fast for seven days, consuming only water, starting 11 January 2026, to raise awareness and funds for those affected by the ongoing war in Sudan.
The campaign aims to raise USD100,000 for the United Mission for Relief (UMR). Deen has stated that if the target is not reached within seven days, he will continue fasting until the full amount is raised.
“This fast is a powerful act of solidarity with the people of Sudan, where millions of men, women, and children are facing extreme hunger due to ongoing conflict and displacement. For the duration of this fast, we are choosing to forgo food and redirect the money we would normally spend on meals toward providing hot meals,” said Deen.
“They are water fasting alongside the UMR team and hundreds of compassionate supporters, choosing hunger so that others might eat. Every meal skipped is money redirected to hot meals for families who haven’t eaten in days, sometimes weeks,” he added.
Originally from Ghana, 32-year-old Joshua Asare, better known as Jae Deen, rose to prominence as one half of the “halal” rap duo Deen Squad alongside Karter Zaher. The Ottawa-based artists gained widespread popularity for their Islam-inspired lyrics, reworking well-known songs and resonating with Muslim youth in Canada and around the world. Prior to forming Deen Squad, Deen was already in the public eye for sharing his inspiring journey as a Muslim convert.
War broke out in Sudan in April 2023 between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), resulting in the deaths of nearly 200,000 people and the displacement of between 12 and 14 million. According to the UN, it is now the world’s largest displacement crisis and the worst humanitarian crisis.
For more information or to contribute to the fundraiser, visit launchgood.com/v4/campaign/starving_4_sudan_providing_hot_meals_to_sudanese_refugees.
