Samaritan's Purse began working in what is now South Sudan in 1993, after Franklin Graham visited the country to assess the growing conflict and the plight of the people. Medical teams and supplies were sent in to help the suffering.

We returned in 1997 to begin providing food, shelter, and clean water, and to open a hospital that provided medical aid to thousands. Our programs quickly expanded to include agricultural assistance, education, and vocational training.

Emergency food was distributed to more than 200,000 people in war-ravaged regions of Darfur. We built more than 140 primary schools in villages that were overwhelmed with refugees, and provided clean water and sanitation for over 100,000 people.

In 2005, we launched a project to rebuild churches destroyed during the war.

In the Nuba Mountains, 140 churches and a Bible school were constructed. In South Sudan, we have built 300 churches, distributed more than 260,000 Bibles, and trained 10,600 people from local churches to become community Bible study leaders. Our church rebuilding program continues in the south.

In addition to our program in the Yida refugee camp, our ongoing work includes a well-drilling program that is bringing clean, safe water to thousands. We are also giving household items to South Sudan citizens returning from the north, and distributing food and farm supplies that are giving people the means to care for their families.

Samaritan's Purse helps support a 100-bed secondary health care facility that provides life-saving medical care to more than 220,000 people. In eastern Sudan, our projects include nutrition, water and sanitation, hygiene, education, and healthcare.

Samaritan's Purse , South Sudan , Community Development , Two Decades of Help