It started to become noticeable last summer. Global food prices went into an aggressive pattern of increases. The cost of a kilo of coarse rice rose over 90 percent from last October to this past April. Sugar is up 34 percent. Cooking oil is up over 140 percent.

Around the world food prices have risen as much as 45 percent since 2006. Many are calling this current food crisis a “silent tsunami” that could plunge an additional 100 million people on every continent into hunger. 

Many Compassion countries have been hit hard by rising food prices. In Ethiopia food inflation is up over 30 percent. The March to September rains were well below average. Eighty percent of Compassion families in this country live off of less than 95 cents per day. It has been reported that children have been fainting in classrooms due to hunger. In Kenya they have seen a 50 percent increase in the price of maize meal. The drought that has persisted over the last few years continues. The recent political issues caused tremendous disruption to trade, which impacted food prices. In Burkina Faso and other parts of sub-Saharan Africa, food riots are breaking out as never before.

At the root of this crisis are several issues. Inflation and shortages have largely been caused by: (1) worldwide bio-fuel production diverting food towards energy, (2) continued droughts and floods, (3) increasing petrol prices and (4) high tariffs in export markets.

At Compassion’s Quarterly Management Update (QMU) in Colorado Springs recently, IPG Senior Vice President (SVP) Mark Yeadon reported that, “The current food crisis is expected to worsen over the summer. Compassion projects are responding by limiting food menus and using discretionary CIV fund to bridge the gap between their food budgets and raising food prices.” 

But, God is good… all the time, and He is showing Compassion how we can respond in a way that gets aid to those who need it and does not destroy local markets in the countries we serve. Supplemental feeding programs will soon start in all 82 Bangladesh projects. The Haiti country office has a proposal to start an immediate and limited response to projects that have been the hardest hit by rising food prices. The Global Executive Leadership (GEL) team has met several times this past week to discuss this “silent tsunami” and how Compassion can respond in a way that honors those we serve and God. We appeal to the Compassion family to be in prayer about his critical global issue.

Here's an excerpt from a song that really speaks to me about child sponsorship.  It's called "While I have this Moment".