Escalating Violence further threatens South Sudan
The January ceasefire agreement between warring factions has been a dismal failure. Violence of the last four months has affected every aspect of the world's youngest nation. It has:
- Displaced more than one million people
- Prevented farmers from planting crops
- Devastated the oil production, a major portion of the government's revenue
- Disrupted education
- Created emotional and psychological trauma, especially for women and children.
Looming large now is the threat of starvation. A UN aid worker, Toby Lanzar warns that South Sudan is now on a par with Syria as 1/3 of the population is at severe risk of starvation. "If we miss the planting season, there will be a catastrophic decline in food security," he reports. Crops must be planted before the end of May.
Caught in the middle of the violence are the children. UNICEF spokeswoman Doune Porter says, "To be able to introduce some kind of normality, some kind of routine by going to school is very important." More than 170 temporary school spaces have been set up.
The battle is a spiritual one. As Christians we must enter the spiritual battle and pray on behalf of those suffering who are precious to God.
Let's Pray:
- The displaced children to have safe and stable living conditions and continuity of education (The Bible, Matthew 19:14).
- Farmer to be protected from harm and upheaval as they plant crops before the end of May (The Bible, Jeremiah 5:24).
- Political figures and parties to recognize that their differences are devastating the country. Pray that they will confess their sins and repent of their hunger for power. (The Bible, 2 Chronicles 7:14).
