According to a report by Television New Zealand, rising world food and petroleum prices have had a dramatic effect on the tiny republic, where the cost of rice has doubled in the past six months.
As the rising price of food puts more stress on the people of Kiribati, Taiwan has stepped in to provide assistance.
Kiribati is one of the few nations that recognizes Taipei as the true capital of China, making Taiwan much more keen to share a small amount of its wealth with these friends.
It appears that the crisis in Kiribati will last until the country ceases to exist — which could happen sooner than one might think.
Almost all of Kiribati’s islands are mere feet above sea level, and due to climate change, Kiribati may one day be submerged.
Until then, it appears that Kiribati will be forced to continue relying on foreign assistance for survival.
