An Update from AFRECS amidst the Coronavirus
On March 23 the Government of South Sudan closed all airports and land border crossings in hopes of preventing the spread of the coronavirus. Only cargo aircraft and trucks carrying food supplies, medical and humanitarian relief supplies, and fuel will be allowed to enter the country. It also closed schools and banned all religious gatherings. All South Sudanese were urged to take preventive measures to minimize the spread of the disease. Although the country has yet to register its first case of COVID 19, a number of cases have been reported in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and Sudan.
Religious leaders have responded positively to these measures. The South Sudan Council of Churches endorsed the prohibition on church services and fellowship gatherings. Episcopal Primate Archbishop Justin Badi Arama issued a directive the same day that on Sundays “all Christians should remain at home and pray from home with their own families.” He instructed that bishops, pastors, lay readers and evangelists should continue to “keep the light of prayers burning daily in the Churches to intercede for God’s mercy and protection upon the people of South Sudan.” He urged Christians to continue to speak words of encouragement and prayer to each other through phone calls. He also called for a posture of repentance.
As we know, the health infrastructure of South Sudan is extremely weak — and in some parts of the country non-existent. It’s easy to imagine that rapid spread of the virus could have a devastating effect, since limited facilities will be quickly overwhelmed and medical personnel will often not have the materials needed to protect themselves — a phenomenon already evident in Europe and the United States. It is unclear whether the South Sudan Government’s prohibition of foreign visitors would include foreign medical personnel prepared to offer assistance.
Program Work Continues
Despite the new restrictions, and with the help of faithful supporters like you, we expect AFRECS programs to continue to move forward to the extent possible. We recently transferred funds to Bishop John Gattek to support the Orphans’ School at Protection of Civilians Camp 3 outside Juba during the first quarter of the year. However, the closing of universities and colleges to include the Episcopal University of South Sudan, including Bishop Gwynne College, will mean that students will be unable to make use of scholarship funds until classes resume. And in Renk the savings groups for which we are providing support for trauma healing — in cooperation with Five Talents and the Mothers Union will likely be paused. However, we believe that they will be able to renew their activities when the pandemic eases.
Please keep the South Sudanese people in your prayers, as the pandemic further complicates their already very difficult existence. We urge you to reach out to individuals and families you are already connected with through email, WhatsApp and other social media. If you would care to make a contribution to that effort, please click here. Meanwhile stay safe where you are in the United States.
God bless you.
Dane Smith
Executive Director ad interim