Bringing Aid to Lietnhom

Through the generous support of our partners, ALARM was able to provide the first shipments of relief supplies to reach Lietnhom, Southern Sudan. About 5000 homes had been burned in last month’s attacks and the families have continued to live under trees and other crude shelters. Racing against the onset of rains which will soon render impassable the road to Lietnhom, ALARM staff members William Ketto and Abraham Ngor brought a truckload of food from nearby Wau. The towns are only 90 miles apart, but it took Abraham and William two full days to navigate the deteriorating road.

We will continue to provide relief supplies to the people of Lietnhom, but ALARM has also begun the hard work of mediation and reconciliation in the community. The feud that brought fire to Lietnhom has evidently been building for 24 years. Ketto met with the community leaders, urging them to resist continuing calls for retaliation and revenge, putting an end to the insatiable cycle of violence. Most agreed that this was indeed the path of life for their families. Still one of the men said, “I want to face those who torched my house, and I am serious!”

Please continue to pray for the people of Lietnhom. Pray for ALARM’s ongoing efforts toward relief, especially for the delivery of food and supplies even with the rains. Pray for peace, and for ALARM’s work of mediation and peacebuilding. We approach these needs with a great sense of urgency. Lives remain very much at risk.