Appeal for South Sudan, Sunday 2 February
The Diocese of Down and Dromore has launched an appeal for South Sudan and specifically for our link diocese of Maridi.
Collections will be taken in our churches on Sunday 2 February so please prepare to give to our brothers and sisters to help them meet the needs of the desperate people in their midst.
Even though a ceasefire is in place and Western Equatoria is calm, displaced people have flooded into Maridi town and surrounding areas, putting a squeeze on resources. The price of essential commodities has risen as their scarcity increases and there are many more mouths for the church to feed. Security is also a concern.
Background
On, 16 January, the Diocesan Council (at the request of the Council for Mission) voted to give the developing world allocation to Maridi, a sum of £4000. They also decided to launch an appeal for South Sudan so that parishes would have the opportunity to give.
Note
We thank God for the ceasefire but the situation in the country is unpredictable. Should we have money left over it will be redistributed in other needy areas of South Sudan through CMS Ireland (who themselves have donated £3000 to Maridi diocese)
We continue to pray with Bishop Justin that:
There would be a permanent political solution to the problem so that peace prevails and the current suffering ends
The two warring tribes may not be violent in western Equatoria
Pray that the church will continue to be strong to preach the message of peace and reconciliation to the people
God will provide the resources so that the church can meet humanitarian needs