Delivering Hot Meals to Displaced Families in South Sudan

Families fleeing conflict often arrive in camps with little besides the clothes on their backs. Samaritan’s Purse is providing hot meals and much-needed encouragement to these weary ones.

When war broke out across Sudan last year, Kadrijia was in Kenya where she and her husband had travelled for his medical care. When they heard of the growing conflict in their home country, they left for Khartoum, Sudan’s capital, to get back to their three children.

TWO HOT MEALS A DAY IN THE MABAN CAMP IS A BLESSING TO DISPLACED FAMILIES, MANY WHO HAVE FLED THEIR HOMES BECAUSE OF ARMED CONFLICT.

Upon entering their country, she and her husband were unfortunately separated, and she feared the worst—that he’d been captured or killed in the midst of the armed conflict. Even more concerned for the safety of her children, though, she pressed on to reunite with them.

With danger growing ever closer by the day, they quickly fled their home with little else besides the clothes on their backs.

Meals to Remind Them of God’s Love

Hundreds of thousands of Sudanese have fled to neighbouring countries over the past months as conflict continues to rage in their country. Many have fled to South Sudan to seek refuge in long-established refugee encampments, including a settlement in Maban.

IT’S A BLESSING TO SEE CHILDREN SMILING AGAIN WHILE GATHERED AROUND A COOKED MEAL.

This is where Kadrijia and her kids ended up, seeking safety, shelter, and food in a region where it is scarce.

“We weren’t able to buy food in the market, and we had no way of growing our own food,” Kadrijia said. But her discouragement turned to gratitude when she heard about the hot meals being cooked for displaced families twice a day.

Samaritan’s Purse freshly prepares these meals in the camp to give families something comforting and nourishing–a welcome blessing after so many days and weeks of wondering when their next meal might be.

Each meal is an opportunity to show hurting families that they are seen by people who love them and love God.

“We are thankful that Samaritan’s Purse is providing these meals to support us as we get settled and look to our next steps,” Kadrijia said.

And though it took weeks of wondering about her husband’s condition, Kadrijia received word that her husband had made it to South Sudan’s capital, Juba.

She rejoiced that he was alive! Soon, they will reunite as a family and begin rebuilding their lives together again.