Gospel for Asia is calling for prayers for people affected by the severe famine in Burma’s Chin state brought on by a plague of rats.

The heavy influx of rats has been caused by the blooming of a certain species of bamboo plant that takes place only once every 50 years. The rats are drawn to the fruit created by the blossom, which increases their fertility and birth rate.

Around 50 families have been affected by the ‘mautam’ – or bamboo famine, as the rats continue to decimate crops and spread disease.

The rats have ravaged the already impoverished Chin state since the most recent blooming of the bamboo plant began in 2006.

Gospel For Asia estimates that as much as 80 per cent of the crops in Chin state have been wiped out by the plague, including staple crops like rice. Families have been forced to scavenge among shrubs for food, even resorting to eating tree bark.

One Burmese farmer told Asia Times Online: “I have never seen such a huge number of rats. I had thought we could easily drive out the rats and protect our crops.

“But just before the rice was ready to be harvested, the rats came and ate all the rice in the fields in just one night. We lost all our rice.”

Gospel for Asia is supporting missionaries in the country who are reaching out to the families with practical help and comfort.

It has requested prayers for the Lord’s intervention and protection upon the people of Chin state and that “many will find lasting hope in the midst of their suffering”.