Life in South Sudan as Covid-19 encroaches

How has life in South Sudan changed during this global pandemic? There is certainly no grocery delivery service, no online school nor zoom meetings that replace in-person meetings. South Sudan started imposing restrictions in March, before there were confirmed cases of Covid-19 in the country, such as closing schools and prohibiting large social gatherings such as weddings and funerals. Restaurants can only sell food for takeout (which is not common in South Sudan), and nonessential businesses are closed. Travel to and from neighboring countries and between the states is now restricted. South Sudan has not ‘locked down’, and movement continues within local areas for people who are able to work.

There has been an aggressive education campaign to let people know the symptoms of the Covid-19 virus and how to prevent the spread of it. In South Sudan people speak 64 different languages, so it has been a big task to translate posters and other materials into these local languages. Our church partners have helped in this effort by volunteering to translate and distribute posters in rural areas. Church congregations have also helped to communicate the importance of hand-washing and social distancing, which is a real challenge in this gregarious and collective culture.

A poster about Coronavirus symptoms and 

prevention in the Anywak language

As the news and threat of Covid-19 increased in March, we had many conversations about the virus with our South Sudanese friends. Some seemed ambivalent – “We have so many other diseases that are here – malaria, typhoid, cholera. Now we have to deal with another one?” Others felt that the daily threat of hunger for many in South Sudan was more of a concern than this unknown and distant virus. Still others acknowledged that the country does not have adequate medical equipment or care, and that if the virus spread it could have devastating and deadly impact.

Sunday worship in March at a Juba congregation - 

fewer people gathered, and wore masks for protection

Several people that we talked to were hopeful – they have plenty of practice being in dire life and death situations, calling out to God as their only hope. We have been touched and humbled by several friends in South Sudan who have expressed their concern at the spread and impact of the virus in the U.S. and are praying for our country. Maybe God is reminding us to put our faith in the One who is Author of Life, and not primarily in our technology, government, or resources. While those things can certainly be helpful, this pandemic is a reminder that our hope and trust is in something that is beyond this life.

There are now five confirmed cases of this Coronavirus in South Sudan. South Sudan has some practice dealing with the threat of Ebola, so a special quarantine hospital was already built and ready to be used to isolate and treat Covid-19 patients. We pray that this does not spread, because there are camps with thousands of Internally Displaced Persons where it could wreak devastating consequences in a short time.

Buckets that are fitted with a spigot for hand-washing

Hunger is the biggest concern that we hear expressed from South Sudan. Just last year, some of our congregations started farm projects to help people start to farm again after a period of displacement. Hopefully that can continue and increase this year. However, a huge locust swarm is wreaking havoc all over East Africa, including in parts of South Sudan. Much of South Sudan’s food is imported from neighboring countries, but the virus crisis has increased prices as supplies and transport gets restricted. Pray with us for God’s provision and protection on people that have already suffered so much. Presbyterian World Mission is in process of sending some support for food relief and Cornavirus awareness which will help significantly. This crisis reminds us how much we need each other and the value of a family of faith that connects us across the distance and the differences that divide us.

Suddenly Relocated

Exactly one month ago, in mid-March as the Coronavirus was spreading all over the world, we were stocking up on food in Juba and preparing to 'shelter-in-place' and work from home for awhile. We knew that given the very limited medical facilities in South Sudan, we had to make every effort not to get exposed to this new and virulent virus.

wearing our masks as we went through the New York airport

Saturday morning, March 21, we received a message from the leadership of Presbyterian World Mission, requesting that all mission personnel return to the U.S. if possible. That same morning, we learned that there was a government directive in South Sudan closing all schools for at least 30 days, which would include Nile Theological College. Given both those factors, we realized that it was best for us to act quickly in responding to this request, although it was an abrupt change in direction from the perspective we had had that week.  Within a few hours we had booked flights to return to the U.S. and spoken with our colleagues in South Sudan to share these sudden plans. We left Sunday, the following day, flying through Addis Ababa, Istanbul, and New York before landing in Chicago. We learned later that the airport in Juba was closed indefinitely the following day to protect South Sudan from incoming travelers who might be infected.

Most of the flights on the board were cancelled from Istanbul

It took us a few days to emotionally reconcile ourselves to being away from home and in this strange environment of lockdown in the U.S. We find ourselves praying more for our hurting world, especially since we now find ourselves in the the midst of the country most affected by it. We are trying to stay in touch with colleagues in South Sudan, doing what we can to support our church partners as they walk through this crisis. We are also using the extra time to do some research, writing, and projects that had been on the 'back burner'. In our spare time, we are watching spring unfold in the Midwest - a glorious reminder that God is sovereign and the author of life. We join you in praying for an end to this pandemic, and hope that we can return to South Sudan soon!