The Situation:
Civil war and famine in South Sudan have caused nearly 5 million people to be food insecure. Rates of acute malnutrition are well over the emergency thresholds in most of the country. This is the first internationally declared famine anywhere in the world in the last six years.
This crisis has driven more than 2 million people to flee their homes. More than 80 percent of them are women and children. With the influx of refugees, the resources of neighboring host countries are running thin.
Our Response:
Lutheran Disaster Response is committed to walking with our brothers and sisters affected by the crisis in South Sudan by responding within the country as well as across its borders. Because we are a church working with companion churches and other ecumenical partners in the region, we are prepared to provide care, support and hope. We need you to join us in this effort.
Operating through local partners, we will accompany survivors through food distribution, temporary shelter, water and sanitation, and psychosocial support. Your gifts are needed to provide this lifesaving aid. This immediate aid is being linked to a longer-term commitment to South Sudan by ELCA World Hunger to build up resilient communities and provide health care, and by ELCA’s Global Church Sponsorship in completion of a ministry center including a health clinic.
What Can You Do?
Pray:
Pray for those affected by the violence that they may be granted peace and healing. Visit the Lutheran Disaster Response resource page for worship resources.
Connect:
To learn more about the situation and the ELCA’s response:
- Sign up to receive Lutheran Disaster Response alerts.
- Check the Lutheran Disaster Response blog.
- Like Lutheran Disaster Response on Facebook and follow @ELCALDR on Twitter.
