The people and communities of Southern Sudan have been hammered by years of conflict.  Civil war has fueled hunger and instability, disrupted education, and virtually wiped out healthcare infrastructures.  Meanwhile, ongoing turmoil in Sudan’s Darfur region has created a humanitarian crisis.

Against the 20-year backdrop of incredible suffering, the time has arrived for churches mobilized by World Relief to lead the way in recovery and transformation.

Despite the significant safety and security issues in Sudan, World Relief is committed to doing all we can to strengthen communities and build a stable foundation for peace.  In Southern Sudan, our interventions are geared towards supporting development, strengthening people and reducing dependence on external aid by training and equipping local communities.

Southern Sudan
Since the signing of a comprehensive peace agreement in 2005 between the north and south, World Relief continues to prepare communities to receive their fellow Sudanese returning back home after more than 20 years of civil war.  We rebuild health centers, train local health staff, and help the emerging Ministry of Health develop health systems and policies.  World Relief currently serves in 8 counties among the most underserved regions in South Sudan.

World Relief’s trained birth attendants (TBAs) are making a big difference.  One of our local TBAs shares the following story: “One night while we were in training, a woman in labor was carried in from a far village to the clinic.  When the midwife examined her, she found that the baby was lying sideways and could not come out.  We all feared the woman and the baby would die.  This is when I learned about (World Relief health trainer) Margaret.  She did not come here just to teach us…she came because God sent her to us and gave her love for our people.  Margaret placed her hands on the woman and prayed." 

There were tears coming down her face.  I knew God had given her this love and that we should learn from her to love the mothers we care for.  Miraculously, the baby turned and was delivered safely.  "God is great!”

World Relief works hard to improve access to primary education for children.  We have assisted in constructing schools, training teachers, and improving adult literacy.  Historically, the Church has played a significant role in education in Southern Sudan.  Our vision is to work with the local churches to recover lost educational opportunities.

Darfur
The people in this arid region face violent militia attacks and severe food and water shortages.  In West Darfur, where a high percentage of the population is undernourished and underweight, it’s both desirable and healthy to put on some extra pounds. 

Mothers bring their young children to our 13 feeding centers where the children are weighed, examined and given supplementary food as needed.  We don’t send mothers away helpless.  We teach them how to fend off malnutrition by preparing nutritious meals from inexpensive locally available ingredients.

Our centers provide a food supplement known as corn soya blend (CSB) – a flour mix that the local people use to make porridge called asida, a dietary staple.  Mixed with oil and sugar, CSB provides crucial nutritional support to undernourished children under 5 and women who are pregnant or breastfeeding.  “I gained weight and started feeling strong…it helped me give birth to a healthy baby,” says 25-year-old Shamila.

World Relief and our partners are working hard to strengthen more than 11,000 vulnerable households in the districts of Azirni, Um Tagouk and Sanidadi.  Our goal is to build stability through interventions aimed at boosting the nutritional status of households, providing safe drinking water, improving hygiene, and protecting the health of women and children.