Four years on, hope, patience and prayer are the greatest needs in South Sudan

The signs have been removed, the roadblocks dismantled, the flags folded and the soldiers disappeared from the streets.

Two days after South Sudan celebrated four years of independence, the mood in Juba is subdued. The tension that was present on the streets only days before has all but disappeared and it’s hard to believe that a war is raging throughout the country.

The conflict has spread, and where it has abated, inflation means prices are doubling or tripling.

But ask anyone, South Sudanese, aid workers, businessmen, what has changed in the country and the answer is the same – things have become worse for everyone except an elite few.

The conflict has spread to new areas, causing more death, more suffering and more and more people to flee. Even in areas where the conflict has abated, inflation has made life harder for South Sudanese. In a country that is dependent on imports for everything, shelves in stores are slowly emptying. Prices have doubled, and in some cases tripled for basic commodities, especially food.

The job of aid agencies like World Vision couldn’t be more difficult. The expanding conflict has limited operations to even smaller areas.

At the same time, the population has dispersed over a larger area and those who were once self-sufficient, are now dependent upon aid. But the problem is that either we can’t reach them, or we don’t know where they are. We used to serve at least 33,000 people in and around the town on Melut. These people fled the town in May and we have no idea where they are or what they need.

The wet season, which began about a month ago, is normally a mixed-blessing. While it impeded transport routes, it also used to bring a reduction in hostilities. This year, as the wet season began, fighting increased. No one could have predicted this. Unpredictability and conflict are two of the few constants in South Sudan.

Unpredictability and conflict are two of the few constants in South Sudan.

But World Vision has been working in South Sudan since 1985 and remains committed to the country’s long-term development. Like the civil war between the North and South, we know that this country conflict will abate, if not end completely at some point. As the civil war continues, we will do all we can to reach those in conflict areas and to do all we can to alleviate the suffering of the people here. As conflict subsides, we will recommence development programs to help those who have suffered so much to put their lives back together and to build a future.

In a nation that is predominantly Christian, faith is the other constant and we can all draw inspiration from Romans 12.12, ‘Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in prayer.’ Now, as much as always, the people of South Sudan need hope, patience and prayer. Pray from an end to the conflict, patiently support the work of all who are trying to help those who suffer and hope for peace and development.

Melany Markham is World Vision's Senior Communications Manager in South Sudan.