Brethren Disaster Ministries has directed grants from the Church of the Brethren’s Emergency Disaster Fund (EDF) to continue the Nigeria Crisis Response through 2023 and to support a response to flooding and conflict in South Sudan.
Financial support for these grants is received at https://churchofthebrethren.givingfuel.com/bdm.
Nigeria
An allocation of $240,000 continues the Nigeria Crisis Response through 2023. This is a joint effort of the Church of the Brethren in the US, its Brethren Disaster Ministries and Global Mission programs, and Ekklesiyar Yan’uwa a Nigeria (EYN, the Church of the Brethren in Nigeria).
Since 2014, the Nigeria Crisis Response has provided more than $5 million, helping EYN endure an ongoing crisis of violence in the northeast of Nigeria, aiding five response partners, and providing extensive humanitarian aid and recovery assistance for some of the most vulnerable people in the world. Previous EDF grants for the Nigeria Crisis Response total $5,935,000.
The 2023 response plan, developed in a coordinating meeting with EYN, continues key ministries to help sustain EYN and thousands of displaced families in Nigeria. Priorities focus on recovery that will help families become more self-supporting. The 2023 budget includes the EYN response programing, US travel, support, and Annual Conference travel for Nigerian staff.
Please pray… For the work supported by these grants from the Emergency Disaster Fund.
The EYN Disaster Relief Management team is continuing food distribution, medical assistance, and livelihood empowerment. Peace building and trauma recovery continue through a partnership with Mennonite Central Committee.
Education continues to be important for EYN’s recovery but is no longer part of Nigeria Crisis Response planning.
South Sudan
A grant of $40,000 helps the Church of the Brethren mission in South Sudan respond to violence and flooding. Conflict continues in the country, often forcing people from their homes. In addition, the effects of climate change and severe food insecurity affect 60 percent of the population. South Sudan has seen historic levels of flooding for the last four years.
In Lafon County, north of Torit County where mission staff Athanasus Ungang has been building relationships to expand work in the area, heavy rain caused flooding that damaged homes and destroyed crops. In a recent visit to displaced families, Ungang observed significant hunger and malnutrition.
The response plan will provide basic necessities such as food, water, and medicines for some of the most vulnerable people, and will support an agriculture program for South Sudanese refugees returning from Uganda.
‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑‑
Find more Church of the Brethren news:
- Annual Conference 2024 invites Church of the Brethren to gather in Grand Rapids
- Annual Conference officers return query regarding congregational latitude on matters of human sexuality
- Silent Auction to benefit translation expenses and the general Annual Conference budget
- Mission and Ministry Board completes Kingian Nonviolence training, works at envisioning
- Leadership Team issues clarification on On Earth Peace membership with Supportive Communities Network