Dreading the total at the supermarket checkout has become a familiar experience for many of us. Food prices are rising all over the world as war, inflation, extreme weather and the COVID-19 pandemic create the largest food crisis in history. According to the World Bank, for each one percentage point increase in food prices, 10 million people are thrown into extreme poverty worldwide.

In Uganda, Eli is one such father struggling to provide for his family in the middle of these rising tensions. The situation is compounded by dangerous cattle raiders who rob families of food and possessions, causing many residents in the area to live in fear for their lives.

It was late one night when Eli heard the cattle raiders enter his family compound. With no way of stopping the impending robbery, Eli fled his home. After hiding in some nearby bushes, Eli watched quietly as the men looted his home of possessions, livestock and the food that had become so precious to his family. At dawn, Eli returned home to find it empty of everything valuable, including the portion of money he had managed to save up from his business. Eli’s story is sadly common among the families living in Karamoja.

In Uganda, the impact of the war in Ukraine has led to an increase in fuel prices that has seen inflation soar. While official reports share that inflation in Uganda is 6.2 per cent, prices in the local market have increased by 80 per cent on average, and by 100 per cent or more for some items.

After the raid at his family home, Eli received assistance from the local Compassion staff through the provision of food to help keep his family from starvation.

For Eli and his family, the situation was desperate, but help was on the way. Eli’s five-year-old daughter, Alice, who is registered at her local Compassion centre, received a gift from her sponsor that had first helped Eli start his business. After the raid at his family home, Eli received assistance from the local Compassion staff through the provision of food to help keep his family from starvation.

Eli and his family are just one example of families in Uganda receiving support and care from Compassion’s local church partners.

By the end of August, 48,310 Compassion assisted children had each received 56 kilograms of posho and more than 28 kilograms of beans to last them a month, according to Joseph, the Program Support Specialist in charge of Critical Interventions for Compassion Uganda.

Eli says the support of the local church and the Compassion staff have brought him and his family back from the brink of despair.

Eli is not alone in struggling to provide for his family during these difficult times. There are 276 million people – more than ten times Australia’s population – now experiencing severe food insecurity.

They provide immediate relief through food packages and/or unconditional cash transfers, as well as long-term food security through distributing seeds, fertiliser, livestock and training.

Compassion is uniquely positioned to respond to the crisis by working with over 8,200 local church partners across more than 25 countries. To meet the changing needs of children and families facing increased food insecurity, Compassion’s local church partners respond with both short and long-term solutions. They provide immediate relief through food packages and/or unconditional cash transfers, as well as long-term food security through distributing seeds, fertiliser, livestock and training.

You can partner with Compassion to bring hope to vulnerable children and their families who need it most. By purchasing a Food Security Gift of Compassion, you can help to provide sustainable sources of food for families affected by this crisis.

Gifts of Compassion are real goods and services given to children and families in Compassion child development centres around the world. For every Gift of Compassion you order, you will receive a gift card to personalise for your friends and loved ones. Your gift will be delivered through local churches around the world as they are best placed to identify the needs of each child registered with Compassion.

The time to act is now. Together, we can fight hunger.

Visit giftsofcompassion.com.au to give a gift with global impact!