The fighting in Sudan has caused the Christian humanitarian organization World Vision to temporarily leave the country it’s worked in for more than 36 years. Left behind are many trying to keep their family safe.
Using only his first name for safety reasons, Gamal, a World Vision staffer wrote about what it’s like for those left behind.
He writes:
“Every day we are under fire. Planes bomb the area where I live with my family. We are seeing people moving from other areas of Khartoum into the houses of relatives. And here people are moving away to live with relatives in other states. We don’t know where the shooting will come from, and all types of weapons are being used.
I’m living with my wife and two sons, ages 5 and 2. My two sisters, one with two young sons, are also living with us. Each day I try to keep my children busy so they do not feel that they are at risk or in danger. I divide my time between helping them learn and playing with them. We need to help our children live as normal as possible and keep them away from seeing the news that consists of violence. I chat with them, they watch children’s programs on television, and when they ask why we do not go out, I say, ‘I’m here at home to be with you.’
My family can survive for two weeks with the food we have.
We desperately need peace to be restored. Without it, humanitarian organizations like World Vision can’t help with food and nutritional support for vulnerable children and their families. Unless the fighting stops soon, Sudan will descend into chaos, taking its people along with it.
I pray for peace.”