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Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

Photo: Albin Hillert/WCC

The South Sudan Council of Churches, in a pastoral message on 13 May, acknowledged that COVID-19 is a reality in South Sudan, and urged every citizen to make a personal commitment to fight it. “Our people must for sure understand that basic preventive measures by individuals and communities remain the most powerful tools to prevent the spread of COVID-19,” reads the message. “Therefore, unless each and every person works hard enough to quickly control the spread of this virus, it is likely to overwhelm us.”

The South Sudan Council of Churches appealed to everyone to observe public health guidelines. “We herein remind every citizen that our beloved country is just emerging from a devastating civil war that almost tore us apart,” the message reads. “Stop the traditional shaking hands.”

Stop large gatherings of extended families, the message urges. “Stop the get-together gatherings of friends in houses and under the trees,” the text reads. “We acknowledge that several people have not been adequately reached with credible information about COVID-19.”

There is a lot of misinformation and stigma, the message continues. “In the midst of this desperate situation, God is calling every individual and person into a deeper participation and prayers,” reads the message. “We are all called to the service of God—each one of us individually—and together as one people, one nation and one divine creation of God.”

 

The South Sudan Council of Churches

WCC’s resources on coping with COVID-19