AFRECS recently received via the Church Association of South Sudan and Sudan in the UK a report from Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo, Primate of the Episcopal Church of the Sudan. We hasten to share this slightly edited version with you. Even in a country torn apart by war between two military groups, where the number of displaced is the largest in the world, courageous Archbishop Ezekiel Kondo, the provincial staff, bishops, the Mothers Union, and parishioners are struggling to support the Christians and non-Christians they are able to reach.
Three factors affect the Sudanese people since the war started in April 2023: bullets, hunger, sickness.
Due to the generous financial help from our partners in the UK and other parts of the world, the Episcopal Church of Sudan with its people have survived and continue to operational even where the war is ongoing (Khartoum, Wad Medani, El Obeid, Darfur and Kadugli town).
Since July 2023 the Episcopal Church of Sudan has sent funds to its five Dioceses so that people are given relief food each month or each two months.
Below are the highlights of food distribution to the people January to June 2024.
Diocese of Khartoum
One of the 33 Parishes in the Diocese of Khartoum receiving small bag of food items
Thirty-three parishes of about four thousand people, including non-church goers, benefited from food distribution within the Diocese of Khartoum. The Diocese covers greater Khartoum
(Omdurman, Khartoum and Khartoum North), Northern Sudan (Dongula) and River Nile State (Atabra). Most of pastors are still with the people though few have left to safer parts of Sudan or neighbouring Countries.
Stories from beneficiaries:
“Thank you, Archbishop and your team, for helping us to survive. Please pass on our appreciation to our friends abroad”, Pastor Abrahim Nugara in telephone call.
“We thank God for you for keeping us in your prayers and support”, Randa, secretary to the Mothers Union.
Part of food distribution items in the Diocese of Khartoum
Diocese of Kadugli
There are 4 parishes functioning. Kadugli town has been under siege for many months now. Now nobody goes out or comes in, there is no food coming in. Many people have left the town to find something to eat. The area of the Nuba Mountains has been declared a “Hunger Zone” by the SPLA/N movement, which defends it, while the government claims otherwise. It has been reported people eat tree leaves in order to survive!
Diocese of El Obeid
The Diocese of El Obeid, which covers North Kordofan and greater Darfur, is one of the biggest in size. El Obeid town has been besieged just like Kadugli for several months, while Darfur has been bleeding since the war began mid-April 2023. There are 4 major Churches in the Diocese and church centres. Bishop Ismail and Muslim Imams have joined hands to support those who in need by distributing relief food. The people are so pleased to see co-existence between Christians and Muslims.
Diocese of Port Sudan
The Diocese covers three Government States of Eastern Sudan (Red Sea, Kassala and Gedaref).
There are 8 Parishes in this Diocese not counting the church centres. This Diocese, which now hosts the Provincial office, is considered to be the safest in Sudan. As a result it hosts many displaced people.
Diocese of Wad Medani
(pic) People & dishes
This Diocese covers 4 States (Gazira, Blue Nile, White Nile and Sinnar). It consists of 13 main parishes beside many centres. December 2023 Gazira was taken over by the Rapid Support Forces, and most of the people fled from the area including the pastors and the bishop. Bishop Saman now has relocated to Damazin which is part of the Diocese. He and his team are supporting the people with food distribution in Fao, Kosti and Damazin where majority of people took refuge.
Dioceses of Kadugli and Heiban (Nuba Mountains)
The two (2) Dioceses of Kadugli and Heiban in the Nuba Mountains have not been part of this food
distributions support due to their special locations. Recently, the SPLA/N authorities have declared the area “hunger Zone”. This is because of last year’s poor harvest due to inadequate rain fall. The Province is planning to include these two Dioceses with relief food support should extra funds are found.
Once again, I hope that our friends and partners will continue with the same spirit in supporting our efforts to alleviating the suffering of our people in the Sudan.
To God be the glory.
Province of the Episcopal Church of Sudan
September 2024