Sudan: Refugee camp death rates soaring
12 Jul 2012Conditions in South Sudan's refugee camps continue to worsen this week with large refugee inflows and flooding from torrential rains. Health issues are a priority concern. In Unity state new arrivals have doubled to close to 60,000 - many arriving in a weak state. There is overcrowding in this limited strip of land that is already cut-off by rains. To address a sharp increase of bloody diarrhoea cases more wells are being drilled to secure clean drinking water, also jerry cans and buckets are being distributed to families with children under five. Efforts to increase awareness among the mostly young refugee population about hygiene, health and nutrition risks are also being implemented. Elsewhere in the Upper Nile State over 110,000 refugees constitute another critical challenge. Also most of the 40,000+ refugee population from Jammam are being located to other sites due to the Jammam camp being located on the edge of a malaria swamp.
Pray: for God’s mercy to provide the many aid agencies with all they need to alleviate suffering and prevent death. (2Sa.22:7
More: http://www.trust.org/alertnet/news/unhcr-alarm-on-health-risks-for-refugees-in-south-sudan
Sudan: Pre-independence shaking + A sung prayer
01 Jul 2011South Sudan faces formidable challenges and fears of civil war and genocide as Christians are attacked and displaced. Also substantial oil resource wealth is tainted with threats of waste and corruption. We can intercede for South Sudan with some of the words from their new National Anthem:- 'Oh God! We praise and glorify you, Pour your grace upon Cush, The land of great warriors, origin of world’s civilization. - Oh Cush! Arise, shine, raise your flag with the guiding star, and Sing songs of freedom with joy. For peace, liberty and justice shall forever more reign. - Oh black warriors! Stand up in silence and respect. - Oh Eden! Land of milk and honey and hardworking people. Lord uphold South Sudan united in peace and harmony. The Nile valley, forests and mountains shall be a source of joy and pride. So Lord bless South Sudan!'
Pray: for the Lord to contend with men of violence, and prevent escalation into civil war. (Ps. 35:1 & 29:11)
More: http://www.themedialine.org/news/news_detail.asp?NewsID=32559
Sudan: Post secession
07 Oct 2011It is two months since South Sudan’s peaceful secession from the North after decades of civil war, but violence in the border regions has flared since May. In a split still lacking clarity over border demarcations and the division of resources, several reports have outlined escalating tensions that have killed scores of people and pushed tens of thousands to leave their homes. A report by the International Crisis Group (ICG) says the lack of political inclusivity and the heavy-handed approach of President Omar al-Bashir’s ruling National Congress Party to crush rebels and dissent could lead to a civil war and destabilize the whole region. The think-tank says conflict is spiralling out of control following Sudan’s attempts to forcefully disarm and dissolve the northern branch of the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement that fought against Khartoum for autonomy with the South for years. Sudan’s refusals to pull troops out of the contested Abyei region and listen to marginalized people in eastern states and western Darfur could lead to mass unrest.
Pray: for opposing groups to be able to communicate over political and economic differences. (Eph.4:3)
Sudan: Police raid, corruption and Day of Prayer
26 Nov 2010
The Sudan Council of Churches is scrutinising out-of-country referendum registration processes in Kenya, Uganda and Egypt, while also reporting that on Sunday the police stormed their offices. Seven vans with 200 police broke down doors and searched the building for ‘suspected hidden weapons.’ These events happen as Africa's biggest country is preparing to vote in a referendum to determine if the Muslim North and Christian South should separate. See: Because of fears that the referendum results could send Sudan back into another civil war; a global Day of Prayer for Sudan on December 5th has been called by The World Evangelical Alliance. It is believed that a) the South is not prepared to receive the anticipated influx of refugees from the North. b) the government in the North cannot guarantee Christians safe passage South. WEA’s prayer requests are for a peaceful and fair referendum with the outcome accepted by all involved. Pray: for God’s grace to be so poured out in Sudan that the referendum would be a beacon to the world of what God can do. (Is.59:1)
Sixteen-year-old Hiba Anglo recently escaped from a gang of Muslims who kidnapped her last year, but it may be a long time before she recovers from the trauma. The kidnappers beat, raped and tried to force her to convert from Christianity to Islam. ‘They did many bad things to me,’ she said, as tears streamed down her face. ‘Several times I was warned if I don’t convert to Islam I risk losing my life. The man who imprisoned me did not allow me to pray Christian prayers and insulted my family as ‘infidels’. Hiba said that she gave the impression she had converted to Islam and was left unguarded. She fled and begged a motorist to take her to her home two hours away. Her mother said when she went to the police to open a kidnap case, officers said, ‘If you want your daughter back you should become a Muslim’.
Pray: for Hiba’s complete recovery from the trauma and for God to strengthen and protect the Sudanese believers.(Is.41:10-11)
More: http://www.compassdirect.org/english/country/sudan/article_115849.html
Sudan: January 9 referendum vote
12 Jan 2011
The UN is preparing for a possible 2.8 million displaced people if fighting breaks out over southern Sudan's independence referendum. In two weeks voters in the south decide whether to remain with the Khartoum-based north, or more likely, to secede and create the world's newest country. Tensions are high over the vote. Aircraft from the Islamic northern Sudanese military have bombed areas in the Christian south or near disputed north-south borders in recent weeks. The UN report said both the northern and southern militaries had been rearming and many southerners possessed guns and light weapons. In a ‘vision’ statement posted on the internet, the Muslim Brotherhood of Sudan said allowing South Sudan to be independent was a crime. They vowed to punish Christians if this takes place. The people are worried that whatever the referendum results a civil war could be ignited. If the South remains part of Sudan the voting accuracy will be questioned. Pray: against rigging of votes, a peaceful outcome and for Christians to have no fear for the future. (Ps.112:7)
Heavy gunfire broke out on Tuesday in the capital of Sudan's Blue Nile border state where government soldiers have been fighting armed opposition groups, a Reuters correspondent said. Tensions have mounted in states along Sudan's poorly-defined border with South Sudan since the south declared independence in July. Thousands fled after fighting erupted last week in Blue Nile state. Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan - both states on Sudan's side of the border - and the disputed Abyei area, saw heavy fighting during decades of civil war between the Khartoum government and South Sudan. Fresh clashes have broken out in all three this year. They are all still home to tens of thousands of people from ethnic groups that
sided with the south during the civil war. Khartoum has accused people from those groups of trying to spread chaos along the border, backed by South Sudan's government - a charge denied by South Sudan.
Pray: for a resolution to this conflict bringing peace and stability to this area. (Pr.29:4)
More: http://www.france24.com/en/20110907-tension-gunfire-sudan-border-kordofan-blue-nile-south-new-state
Sudan: God bless the newest country
22 Feb 2011A South Sudanese resident said, ‘The results of the referendum mean I am free today. Now I am a first class citizen in my own country.’ President Obama said, ‘I am pleased to announce the intention of the United States to formally recognize Southern Sudan as a sovereign independent state in July 2011.’ The brothers and sisters in Christ of the mainly Christians in the former South Sudan can pray, that God will sustain and provide for the people of the world's newest country facing challenges such as a new currency being established, diplomatic missions needing to be opened, and even choosing the new country’s name. Also critical negotiations are due with the north to decide on citizenship rights, oil rights and even the final border demarcation. But for the many Christians these are small problems to deal with after the mass killings and cruelty that so many of them have endured.
Pray: for God’s guidance and protection through the coming months of decisions, negotiations and avenues of change. (Pr.2:10-12)
More: http://ww .breakingchristiannews.com/articles/display_art.html?ID=8646