Uganda (MNN) — Sudan’s raging war continues to create waves of displacement. The UN Refugee Agency, UNHCR, says nearly 40 percent of all refugees arriving in Uganda over the last 14 weeks are from Sudan.
More than 8.2 million people have fled their homes since the conflict started on April 15, 2023, making the situation in Sudan the world’s largest displacement crisis.
Let’s look at the numbers differently: Uganda’s refugees now comprise 3.6 percent of the country’s population. Uganda is already one of the largest refugee-hosting countries in the world, and the rise in Sudanese refugee arrivals is straining the country’s resettlement infrastructure.
(Photo courtesy of Spoken Worldwide)
The new arrivals often come with nothing. This means that these people are unable to make safe and suitable shelter for themselves, even with humanitarian assistance. Compounding the situation is a drop in aid. The Head of EU Humanitarian Aid in Uganda says that in 2018, around $170 was spent per year per refugee. Six years later, it’s dropped to $85.
The impact of displacement is felt in every sector in Sudan. For Spoken Worldwide, it means their bible translation work stopped. President/CEO Ed Weaver says their teams left the country. “They all seem to be settled primarily in Uganda, although those refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, Chad, Egypt, so all around Sudan, obviously, it’s been, you know, wherever people are closest to a border they have escaped to.”
As they establish a new rhythm, the challenge of being in so many different countries can be daunting, explains Weaver. “Can we get back into Sudan? Can we minister to some of these people that are still trapped in their cities? How do we move around within the country? How do we move around the periphery of the country to be able to make sure that the ministry can go on because the needs still are so great.”
The problem to solve is what it looks like to establish the Spoken Worldwide ministry model in a refugee camp. Weaver adds that there is urgency amongst the team. They’re saying, ‘We know that this opportunity exists. How do we meet that need?’ “People are mentally in a position of defeat, discouragement, fear, uncertainty. They’re looking for answers. This is a great opportunity for us to be able to share the hope of the gospel.”
Resources, leadership, and time are all factors that determine how soon they can be up and running again. Resources…in a space where daily food security is a significant concern, never mind a critical mass of biblical leadership in a refugee camp.
“In every case,” says Weaver, “we’re looking at how to re-establish the ministry; we’ve allowed our teams to get their family settled, and get them encouraged and get into a new rhythm, where they can get food and shelter, clothing, and then be able to say, ‘Okay, here’s our mentality; here’s our strategy around how to proceed with ministry.'”
(Photo courtesy of Spoken Worldwide)
The most significant challenge remains the welfare of the families involved with Spoken Worldwide’s Sudanese projects, says Weaver. Displacement with several children and a spouse means the head of the household constantly watches how each family member copes with the situation. “Is everybody moving forward and making progress? Or have you got some that are collapsing in fear and uncertainty about the future? You’ve got your spouse and your children and you’re trying to figure all that out in life, get them re-established in schools.”
Spoken Worldwide’s Sudanese team has more questions than answers. Weaver urges you to pray “…for peace, comfort, and God’s presence. Pray for hope to be re-established in their hearts, their understanding of God, who He is, and that He does love us; He never forsakes us.”
Put yourself in their shoes. Pray for a reminder that God is not forsaking them in this process.
Header and story images courtesy of Spoken Worldwide.
