South Sudan: Narus Relief Response Update

Narus, South Sudan

Since April 2014, tens of thousands of internally displaced families from the conflict areas of Upper Nile and Jonglie States of South Sudan poured into Western Equatoria State seeking refuge from the fighting that had taken many homes, livelihoods and lives. The situation is dire.

Canadian Baptist Ministries’ partner church in South Sudan, the Faith Evangelical Baptist Churches (FEBAC), have been on the front lines of response as they have shown hospitality and compassion in the conflict area of Upper Nile and more recently in the areas where many have fled. In the community of Narus, CBM has been helping FEBAC’s local church provide emergency care kits, food, and water to five hundred internally displaced households.

This morning, we received photos from our friend Reverend Saphano Riak, the executive minister of FEBAC. It was a great answer to prayer to see water running from a newly dug well and to see how the local church has been providing for the almost 60 unaccompanied children who have been taken under their care. 

We give thanks for how God is using local churches to provide care and protection for people who has suffered such loss. In simple but important ways, they are the hands and feet of God.

Children lining up for breakfast at the FEBAC church in Narus 

Through the generosity of Canadian churches and individuals, we have been able to provide much needed resources for FEBAC. Each of the emergency kits that they have distributed provide families with plastic sheeting; blankets; a 5 person kitchen set; mosquito netting; jerry cans for water; rope; soap; and food rations. The kits were distributed by FEBAC response team in collaboration with the local government. As the need far outweighed the supplies, they identified the most vulnerable households often single mothers and elderly who are caring for small children.

"According to the beneficiaries, this was the first comprehensive and meaningful assistance they had received since they arrived in Narus after fleeing from their homes.” shared Saphano. "The spokesperson for the beneficiaries thanked FEBAC for responding to their needs and CBM for the funds that were used to purchase and transport the relief supplies. The beneficiaries also indicated that these relief items will help them to cope with the difficult situation that the fighting has forced them into. The mosquito nets will shield them from the many mosquitoes at the camp and thereby prevent malaria breakout. The plastic sheets provided will shield them from the sun and rain.

In addition 150 sacks of uni-mix porridge were brought to aid in the feeding program."

Unimix brought by truck from Nairobi, Kenya

Please continue to join us in praying for peace and healing in South Sudan. As CBM and FEBAC continue our relief efforts, please pray for wisdom and safety for the relief team on the ground, and for the leaders in local churches. Saphano also asks for prayer as a lack of safe drinking water has led to a cholera outbreak in many of the refugee areas.

You can learn more about Canadian Baptist Ministries and our ongoing work in Africa and around the world at our website www.cbmin.org