We are joyful to hear that the container of medicine has finally arrived in Nimule, South Sudan. Our Sudanese partners there are working out a plan for distributing the medicines to ministries throughout the Eastern Equatorial region. We will have a more detailed report once these plans are finalized.
As you may know, South Sudan is about to become "the world's newest country" in July. Yet, 90% of the population lives on less than $1 a day. The entire region is plagued by multiple systemic health issues as a result of years of war. The conflict between the southern and northern regions of Sudan, dating back to 1955, has contributed to the health challenges in the country and a shortage of health care workers. Ongoing inter-tribal tensions exacerbate the problem due to the lack of cooperation needed to develop an integrated health delivery network.
Meanwhile, the people continue to suffer. More than 80% of the population has no sanitary toilet access or potable drinking water. The maternal mortality rate – an estimated 2,054 maternal deaths per 100,000 live births – is the worst in the world, and almost one in seven children die before reaching one year old. The region also has very high rates of HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
These medical supplies that we have provided to the South Sudanese are crucial to their day-to-day health, yet so much remains to be done. Please help support our ministry by giving generously today so that we can continue to help as South Sudan becomes its own nation in July.
If you think you are too small to make a difference, try spending a night in a closed room with a mosquito ~ African Proverb
