Catholic Relief Services
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CRS Briefing
October 2008
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Harvest of Hope

Dear Friend,

The global food crisis has brought an end to what The Economist magazine has called "the era of cheap food." This refers to the two decades before 2005 when food prices fell by three-quarters, adjusted for inflation, on world markets.

Food was so inexpensive that many developing countries found it was more cost effective to import food than to produce it themselves. In many African countries, for example, imported rice from Asia was so cheap that local farmers couldn't compete, and so production flagged. But with many Asian nations limiting exports as a result of the food crisis, cheap imported rice is a thing of the past for African families—perhaps forever.

This is certainly the case in Burkina Faso. Rice there is the fourth most important food crop, after millet, sorghum and maize. For years, the west African country imported more than 70 percent of its rice from abroad, with local production covering the rest. But this has all changed after the price of rice rose by at least 60 percent in the first half of this year. Although this is a disaster for urban consumers, small-scale rice farmers can find in it an opportunity to increase their production, which will benefit them and their fellow Burkinabe.

Read this month's letter from CRS President Ken Hackett.

In Burkina Faso, Food Prices Eat Away at Life

As the food price crisis ripples across the globe, a day laborer shows just how hard it is for a West African family to make ends meet.

Aid Reaches Stranded Haiti Bishop's Home Shelter

CRS staffer Greg Elder landed in Haiti, waded in water up to his waist, found hundreds huddling in a church, and saw Haitians ready to rebuild.

Saplings of Hope in India

Growing a small kitchen garden helped change Nirmala's life. She now earns a steady income and no longer worries about going hungry.

Irrigation Eases Ethiopia's Crop Crisis

Emergency food distributions coupled with long-term agricultural projects are helping Ethiopians withstand a critical food shortage.

A 'Festival of Cleanliness' for Egypt's Poor

A CRS sanitation campaign didn't just curb disease in several Egyptian villages—it was also fun.

'Fair Trade Is A Priority in My Parish'

A CRS Fair Trade Ambassador explains how she promotes thoughtful purchasing in her parish.