Samaritan's Purse staff in South Sudan are seeing an increasing influx of people in the refugee camps where we are working as the government of Sudan continues to target civilians in the Nuba Mountains and other regions. David Philips, the Samaritan's Purse Country Director for South Sudan, reports on the latest conditions at the Yida camp.
There is a new wave of hungry and weary people arriving on a daily basis with nothing but a few possessions and starving children in their arms.
Each family that arrives represents a package of needs: tarp, soap, jerry cans, water and new bore holes, food, therapeutic food for the malnourished, latrines. There are over 30 children in the stabilization center now. The most we have ever had before now was 14-15.
Because of the fragile condition and overwhelming volume of new arrivals, we have to make the assistance stretch. On top of this, rains are coming and roads will be cut soon. As ground transport becomes impossible we have to rely more on flying assistance to the people.
The people want to stay in Nuba, because it is their home. But many are forced to try for Yida to stay alive. They have past the point of no return and their only hope is the help available in Yida. They don’t have options. It is the only hope for survival.
Our team is working around the clock to provide that help. I am really amazed at their commitment and passion for the work. They are saving untold numbers of lives on a daily basis. But they are tired. We are working to get them more help soon.
I hope this puts some dimension to the dynamic crisis we are fighting. Thanks for your support. It could not come at a more critical time.
