Reports are reaching us from colleagues in Tanzania of a growing food shortage, due to limited ‘short rains’ last year and subsequent crop failures. The government is adamant that the country is not facing a famine threat and that there is enough food. The ruling party has also blamed traders for stoking up public concern and for rising prices. What we know is that the rains did effectively fail in the Mwanza and Simiyu Regions, and food prices are significantly higher. Rev Deuli, our Project Leader, organises a four month bulk food shop and we expect the load to go next week will cost about 20% more than last time (for staples like maize, rice, sugar and cooking oil). This is a significant issue for Busega Scotland, particularly as the value of the pound against the Tanzanian shilling is some 12% less than pre-EU referendum levels. Colleagues have discussed the food situation at Mayega with the Busega District Commissioner (the president’s representative) and received assurances that the government is on top of the situation. At the  children’s centre there is sufficient food however  there is hunger in the surrounding villages. We will monitor the situation carefully.