Soaring food and fuel prices in Britain have been much in the news of late. But what of the rest of the world? BMS World Mission workers from Angola, France, Uganda, Thailand and Afghanistan reveal how much prices have risen where they are working.
People living in societies less able to absorb rising costs related to drought, financial slow-down and commodities speculation need our prayers.
Below are some tables of price increases reported by our workers, as well as a prayer that you can share with your church or small group.
The factsFrance
| Commodities (in Euros) |
March 08 |
June 08 |
% increase |
| Pasta (500g) |
0.66 |
0.82 |
24 |
| Diesel (1 litre) |
1.20 |
1.49 |
24 |
| Chicken (6 pieces) |
8.40 |
9.20 |
10 |
| Cooking oil (1 litre) |
1.82 |
1.92 |
5 |
| Strawberries (500g) |
3.50 |
2.99 |
-15 |
|
15.58 |
16.42 |
5 |
Uganda
Commodities
(in Uganda Shillings) |
Jan 08 |
July 08 |
% increase |
| Rice (1 kilo) |
1400 |
2250 |
61 |
| Petrol (1 litre) |
1960 |
2650 |
35 |
| Beans (1 Kilo) |
900 |
1400 |
56 |
| Cooking oil (1 litre) |
2600 |
3400 |
31 |
| Sugar (1 Kilo) |
1200 |
2000 |
67 |
|
8060 |
11700 |
45 |
Thailand
Commodities
(in Thai Baht) |
March 08 |
June 08 |
% increase |
| Rice (one bag) |
60 |
120 |
100 |
| Diesel (litre) |
36 |
50 |
39 |
| Pork (1 kilo) |
100 |
120 |
20 |
| Cooking oil (per bottle) |
15 |
20 |
33 |
| Sugar (1 Kilo) |
20 |
25 |
25 |
|
231 |
335 |
45 |
Afghanistan
Commodities
( in Afghanis) |
October 07 |
June 08 |
% increase |
| Rice (1 K) |
29 |
90 |
210 |
| Diesel (1 Ltr) |
30 |
56 |
87 |
| Beans (1 K) |
38 |
75 |
97 |
| Oil (1Ltr) |
51 |
92 |
80 |
| Sugar (1K) |
18 |
28 |
56 |
|
166 |
341 |
105 |
Angola
Commodities
(in Angolan Kwanzas) |
February 08 |
July 08 |
% increase |
| Wheatflour (25K) |
1800 |
2800 |
56 |
| Petrol for lamps (1L) |
75 |
100 |
33 |
| Fish |
150 |
300 |
100 |
| Oil (1L) |
150 |
250 |
67 |
| Sugar (1K) |
80 |
100 |
25 |
|
2255 |
3550 |
57 |
The prayer
Lord Jesus Christ, we have a limited understanding of economics, politics and world affairs, but we know that you know and understand all – beyond our limited theories and finite opinions.
Please have mercy on ordinary people and help them to make ends meet.
Holy Spirit, you alone can guide our thoughts and motives in the right direction to bring your justice to this world.
Please have mercy on us for our selfishness and help us to make this world a better place for the poor.
Father God, we want the hungry to be fed, we want the suffering to be comforted, we want those harmed by wars, beaten down by natural disasters or crushed under the heel of our desire for luxury to experience your blessing.
Please have mercy on this, your world. Use us, your children, to make it a better place and give strength to all the organisations trying to care for the poor.
Amen