being kate

One week into the new year and we face a new crisis in Algeria, as if the lack of decent housing weren't already enough we are now faced with the rising price of food. Everyday basics which are quite often already a struggle for many families to afford are being pushed way out of people budgets.

So the "people" are protesting...you would think! What's actually happening is that people  (and by people I mean the youth of Algeria who clearly have nothing better to do!) are using it as an excuse for lawlessness and stealing. Stealing from their own communities and perhaps from people who, despite owning a business are also finding it hard to survive.

In my own community we have seen the destruction of a post office, a mall, a local school has been ransacked and burnt....though how badly I don't know...

Last night there were police with teargas in one of the local housing estates, and regular everday people..those who are affected by the economy but who are now too afraid to go out and protest are clearly beginning to feel agitated.

I live in an area that's full of wholesalers and they have been closed since Thursday...the longer the situation continues the harder it will be for people. Yes the price rise was unexpected and unreasonable, but this is worse....

There is talk of  flour shortage looming..I was unable to buy milk today...but here that's not so unusual. We'll see tomorrow whether people have been panic buying and whether or not there is anything left in our local shops.

Algeria can be as volitile and heated as it's people but it's also a place of great beauty and an overwhelming kindness and love... I really pray that it's the love and kindness that win out here insha'allah....

It's very sad to see people behaving like this towards one another, I just pray it will all be over soon and that no-one else gets hurt...