Photo courtesy of Canada Foodgrains Bank
International (MNN) ― Rising food prices are being blamed for growing political unrest and a growing hunger problem.
As the global market fluctuates violently, governments and aid agencies are finding it costs much more to maintain the current levels of food assistance to the most vulnerable.
The Canadian government has stepped forward to help a ministry, says Christian Reformed World Relief Committee's senior project manager, Grace Weibe. "The Canadian government provided 10-million dollars more to CFG, the Canadian Foodgrains Bank. We're a principal partner."
One of the main problems is that food production has not kept pace with rapidly rising consumption. The demand appears to be driven by population growth, a rapidly rising meat and dairy consumption by a growing Asian middle class, along with the use of grains for biofuel production.
Add to that the rising energy costs for producing and transporting food, natural disasters and a larger vulnerable population, and the crisis takes on a different kind of urgency.
Global food woes have now pushed aside economic fears as top priority for world leaders. Weibe says food prices impact everything. "What it translates to is that the price of corn has gone up 50-percent. Wheat and milk and butter, that's up 100-percent. Rice is up 150-180 percent. We haven't seen this in 30 years."
CRWRC distributes emergency food and nonfood items, initiates food-for-work projects, and sometimes provides seeds and tools to assist in the rehabilitation process. The goal of CRWRC is to engage in international disaster response activities that maintain and build long-term community development during the relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction phases.
But if things continue as they are, cutbacks are inevitable. Weibe says they're looking at ways to keep the programs intact. "If we can't reach as many people, it certainly affects the ministry and the witness of God. It might be that we do supplemental feedings, so they don't get full rations."
Pray for the teams serving Christ through CRWRC that they would continue to be able to address the physical and spiritual needs. Pray for wisdom for the leadership teams as they work with finite resources to ensure ministry continues. Click here if you can help.
