Conflict and Cholera in South Sudan
Many thousands of people continue to crowd into refugee camps and shelters in South Sudan. The Diocese of Down and Dromore has close links there with Bishop Justin Badi and Maridi Diocese whose churches are doing everything they can to help the influx of refugees in their area.
Meanwhile, in the capital, Juba, the Bible Society (BSSS) is working to bring help to refugees with no other means of support. Executive Secretary, Revd. Dr Edward Kajivora says,
“At the moment, BSSS is the only organisation helping those refugees who have not been taken into the UN camps here in Juba… Dinka people are arriving here in great numbers, too, but aren’t in UN camps – they are sheltering in school compounds… no aid is being provided so far… we have been going into these camps, bringing food, blankets and Scriptures. We haven’t been allowed to take Scriptures into the UN camps.”
One Dinka pastor, Revd Rebecca Abuk, was delighted with copies of the New Testament in their language – Dinka Bor. She leads the church services and in the midst of their troubles, these refugees continue to worship and trust God.
Having been through so much already, these people are now facing yet another challenge: cholera. According to a UN humanitarian report for June 7, more than 1,300 cases of cholera and 29 related deaths have been registered and the outbreak is spreading. Edward says, “We praise God for his protection over us in these difficult times. Please join us in praying for peace, an end to the cholera outbreak, and for more opportunities to share God’s Word across our troubled, divided nation. Thank you.” See full report and slide show here (United Bible Societies website).