South Sudan (MNN) — Hope remains a scarce commodity as South Sudan falls apart.
(Photo courtesy of Steve Evans via Flickr)
The military recently established a “no -fly” zone, which is keeping the UN from delivering food and supplies. Between 4 and 7 million people are starving and in immediate need of food assistance.
Furthermore, the UN has increased its number of peacekeeping troops in South Sudan by over 1,000. Vowing to stay an additional six months, the international body cited grave security concerns.
“The conflict and the insecurity [have] created such a short-term vantage point; people really need to focus on the emergencies of the day, and they give up the future,” notes World Concern’s Matt Ellingson.
In this interview, he shares details with MNN via Skype.
“People may be receiving seeds and tools, for example. Rather than plant the seeds, [people] may eat the seeds because otherwise, they will starve.”
Transforming South Sudan, one day at a time
Food distribution in Wau.
(Photo courtesy World Concern)
World Concern has been with the people of South Sudan from the beginning, offering help for today and hope for tomorrow. They’ve been assisting people in three different states for the past 8 years.
“Aspects of the Gospel permeate everything that we do,” shares Ellingson.
World Concern provides emergency food and implements sustainable community development programs in South Sudan. Last month, they distributed 98 metric tons of food to 12,000 beneficiaries in Western Bahr El Ghazal.
World Concern also equips communities to earn income and grow food through savings groups, village banking, vegetable gardening, agricultural training, seeds, and tools, and fishing training through One Village Transformed.
Matt Ellingson poses for a picture with one of the village elders.
(Photo courtesy World Concern)
“When we have the opportunity to enter the lives of people in their moment of need and we share with them our friendship, our prayers, [and] the motivations of why we are there with them, they are witnessing the Gospel.”
The end goal for World Concern is growing God’s Kingdom in South Sudan. There are many steps in-between and lots of ways you can help.
One of the most important things you can do is pray. “They’ve lost so many of their brothers and sisters, aunts and uncles, that life is cheap.
“One of the most critical things that we can share and portray to them is that their life is not cheap. Their life is precious to our Creator God.”
