Searching for a Place of Safety

Restore us to yourself, O Lord, that we may return…, renew our days as of old. [Lamentations 5:21]

Chairman of the Humanitarian Intervention & Relief Task Force Yei, overseeing distribution of supplies

The Palm Sunday weekend saw renewed violence in the greater Yei region of South Sudan, with over 1,000 people being displaced from their homes. The following days saw violent attacks on the main road between Yei and Juba where at least 9 people lost their lives.

This is devastating as there hadn’t been many major outbreaks of violence for nearly a year and things seemed to be settling down. People had been returning home from refugee camps in Uganda and things seemed to be on the up, with traffic moving freely on the main roads. There are now over 1,000 displaced people including many women with small children gathering on the Cathedral compound in desperate need of shelter, food and water. The retired Bishop Hilary is heading the Yei town emergency response team seeking help and support for them. Please pray that adequate provision of water, food, shelter and basic utensils will be made available soon. CMS Ireland has sent some financial assistance which is being distributed by the church leaders to those in most need.

Displaced people on Yei Cathedral compound & families gather around communal cooking pot

These outbreaks of violence have caused such fear that some folk are even returning to the refugee camps in Uganda where, despite the harsh conditions and food scarcity, they feel a little safer.

Please pray that the political leaders will listen to the cries of their people and determine to make a lasting peace, investing in good governance and a fair distribution of resources.

Billy Smyth