Operation Mobilisation (OM) has appealed for prayers to bolster its staff currently serving in troubled Zimbabwe.

Inflation is sky-rocketing in the southern African country where, according to official government data, inflation stood at 3,713.9 per cent in April 2007. The Zimbabwean Government is yet to release the rates for May and June, fuelling speculation that they are too horrific to reveal to the public.

A price slash, meanwhile, sparked a rush to stores which has now left many shops empty-shelved.

State television reported that the Zimbabwean Government now plans to import 200,000 tonnes of maize from Tanzania, with the possibility of an additional 200,000 tonnes from Malawi, in order to avert massive food shortages.

According to OM's team in Banket, the shop next to their centre has no food left in it.

"There are queues in the banks of up to two hours to withdraw a maximum daily limit of the equivalent of US$22 cash," said OM. "Fuel is scarce. Power cuts can last for up to 20 hours a day and matches and candles are no longer available."

The charity added, "Phone lines to the country are out of operation so we are unable to get further information from our OM teams."

OM is asking Christians to pray for OM Zimbabwe leader Mike van Vuuren and his family who are living in "survival mode", the charity said. The charity also appealed for prayer for Edwin Derera who leads a community centre project and is being harassed by the Zimbabwean authorities, and also Vicky Graham who runs a medical clinic single-handedly in a rural area and is struggling to find the necessary medicines.