By Gigi Kotze
What is World Humanitarian Day?
On the 19th of August every year, we commemorate World Humanitarian Day. This day aims to raise awareness about the struggles of civilians affected by conflicts around the world. It also honours and supports the humanitarian workers who risk, and sometimes lose, their lives to help others.
World Humanitarian Day was established in 2008 by the United Nations General Assembly and was first celebrated in 2009. The date, 19th August, was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the Canal Hotel bombing in Baghdad. In this tragic event, Sergio Vieira de Mello, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, and twenty others lost their lives.
How many people live in Humanitarian Crises?
According to ReliefWeb, nearly 300 million people worldwide will require humanitarian assistance and protection in 2024 due to conflicts, climate emergencies, and economic factors. One in five children is living in or fleeing from conflict. 29 countries reported cholera outbreaks in 2023. Globally, more than one in 73 people is forcibly displaced, a figure that has nearly doubled in the past ten years. As a result, more people are displaced now than at any other time since the beginning of the century. Armed conflict, economic shocks, climate extremes, poverty, and inequality have led to acute food insecurity for 258 million people in 58 countries.
Countries facing severe humanitarian crises and how you can pray for them:
(Please note that the countries we are covering are those in which INcontext International is directly involved. The parts in italics are from our partners in the field.)
Syria:
In 2024, an estimated 16.7 million people in Syria will need humanitarian aid, a 9% increase from the previous year, according to UN agencies.
By April 2024, nearly 7.5 million children in Syria needed assistance, as reported by UNICEF. Within Syria, 7.2 million people are displaced, the highest number globally since the conflict began. Neighbouring Türkiye hosts the largest refugee population by a single country worldwide, with over 3 million refugees, primarily from Syria. About 90% of Syrian families live in poverty. The failing healthcare system, lack of clean water, poor sanitation, and rising food insecurity have made people more vulnerable to fast-spreading waterborne and vaccine-preventable diseases. The country is also still dealing with severe damage from earthquakes and aftershocks in February 2023. A pastor in Syria, reported that the global Church can support the Syrian Church by providing financial assistance, training in crisis management, mental health, and education, as well as offering logistical resources such as food and medicine. Enhanced communication and partnerships between churches and other humanitarian organisations can further strengthen these efforts. The Syrian Church, in turn, can meet the needs of its community through spiritual support, distributing essential aid, providing psychological care, and offering education and healthcare services. These combined efforts aim to uplift the Syrian people, fostering unity and resilience amidst conflict. She ended her report with the following, “I would also like to conclude my message with a special prayer for my beloved country, Syria. Dear Lord, I beg you to accept my prayers for Syria, for the sake of political stability and an end to the violence and conflicts it is suffering from. I pray for the economic situation to flourish and develop until poverty, destitution, unemployment, and the migration of young people from the country are eliminated. We pray for support and assistance for displaced refugees and all those affected by the crisis, and for unity among the Syrian people, overcoming sectarian and political divisions. Dear God, we pray for the Gospel to spread and for the Kingdom of God to extend throughout Syria, so that the name of Jesus Christ may be glorified. Amen.”
A ministry friend on the ground in Syria also shared the following with us:
“The current situation is as it has been for several years. There is no stability due to the many challenges facing the country. Despite all the efforts made to restore stability, the general situation is affected by what is happening in the Middle East and all the events that include it. The Church is trying hard to do the impossible. During the war and earthquake periods, the Church helped with food aid and securing the price of diesel at times. During the earthquake period, aid was provided, but after that, it decreased significantly to the point that many needy people come to us, most of whom need medical assistance, but we do not know who to send them to. I believe that there is little aid in the Churches, but it does not even cover those affiliated with them. As part of the Church, our services work to deliver the good news in diverse communities. May the light of the great God shine in the country and in the broken and wounded hearts, so that the Lord may meet every need in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Prayer Requests:
- Pray for the country to return to the way it was when work covered the cost of the family and its livelihood.
- We pray that the Lord will show us the fruits of our planting in the hearts of children, adolescents, and their families.
- And may the glory of the Lord extend His Kingdom despite all the fatigue the country suffers from.”
Lebanon:
Lebanon is facing a serious financial, economic, and political crisis, which has led to widespread poverty, the breakdown of public services, and increased tensions between communities.
These problems have worsened the already severe effects of the Syria crisis on Lebanon’s institutions, infrastructure, and economy, undoing past progress. All vulnerable people in Lebanon are suffering from increased poverty and greater humanitarian needs. There are shortages of essential supplies, and many struggle to access food, healthcare, education, jobs, and other basic services. The situation is further exacerbated by the ongoing conflict between Hezbollah and Israel at the southern border. Below is feedback that we received from a ministry friend on the ground:
“Dear brothers and sisters,
Peace be with you! Currently, the war has not ceased, and the situation appears to be worsening. However, there has not yet been a major outbreak of war. Explosions are mainly occurring in border areas and sensitive regions. Every day, more people are choosing to leave the country, and local residents are starting to worry about the changing circumstances.
Thank the Lord! For a long time, various organisations and people from different backgrounds have been continually providing aid to Lebanon. Many Syrian refugees live here, and although they receive some assistance, most are still in very difficult situations, especially regarding living conditions, healthcare, employment, and education.
Our team conducts worship services to preach God’s love, sharing the Gospel and providing food, scholarships, classes, medical aid, and skills training to help these refugees. We hope they will come to know Jesus, follow Him, and gain knowledge and skills to assist in employment. Our efforts are very limited. This place greatly needs your prayers, as well as financial and knowledge-based resources to help them. May God have mercy on the Middle East, pave the way, and open the doors for the Gospel!
Prayer Requests:
- Please join us in praying for the war situation. May the Lord’s peace come upon this land and protect us and the people here.
- Please join us in praying for the people living here, that the salvation of Jesus may come to them and turn their hearts.
- Please join us in praying for the ministry here, that all teams and believers may be strengthened, courageous, and steadfast in faith and love, fixing our eyes on Jesus.
- Please join us in praying for more resources to help the people here, for their study, lives, work, and medical care, so they may taste the Lord’s grace.”
Sudan:
In 2024, 74.1 million people in East and Southern Africa will need humanitarian aid, with nearly 40% attributed to the crisis in Sudan.
Since April 2023, Sudan’s situation has deteriorated dramatically, increasing the number of people in need from 15.8 million in 2023 to 30 million in 2024. Over a quarter of Sudan’s 47 million people are displaced, with 12 million forced to leave their homes. The country faces its worst-ever levels of acute food insecurity, with 25.6 million experiencing high levels of food scarcity and 8.5 million facing extreme shortages. The conflict has led to severe shortages of food, water, medicines, and fuel, causing prices to rise sharply. Most health facilities are either closed or overwhelmed, leaving many without access to healthcare. Reports of sexual and gender-based violence have increased. People live in fear and insecurity, as armed groups occupy homes and some hospitals and schools, while also attacking water and electrical infrastructure. One of our ministry friends, who is in close contact with believers in Sudan, shared:
“The Sudanese Church is trying to find opportunities to work inside Sudan and among displaced Sudanese in all neighbouring countries. On one hand, the Church is in a very difficult situation, and at the same time, they are trying to help their people and everyone, offering unconditional love and support. Relief is one big need that the Church is trying to provide, but the need is so vast. Encouragement and hope are also important things that everyone needs in this season. Church leaders are going through the same difficult situation, but they are trying to lead and help their people. The Sudanese Church needs prayer, support, and resources. They need encouragement for their leaders and people. They need to feel they are heard and cared for, and that at least the body of Christ knows what they are going through, prays for them, and advocates for them.”
Please join us in prayer for the following:
- Ask God to provide the necessary resources for the Sudanese Church to meet the overwhelming needs of their people, including food, water, medicine, and shelter. Pray that relief efforts will reach those in desperate need and that humanitarian aid will flow freely into the affected regions.
- Pray for the safety and security of the Sudanese people, especially those who have been displaced or are living in fear due to the conflict. Ask for God’s protection over the vulnerable, particularly women and children, and for healing for those who have suffered from violence and trauma.
- Lift up the leaders of the Sudanese Church who are navigating this difficult season. Pray that they will be strengthened and encouraged as they lead their communities, and that they will continue to offer hope and support despite the immense challenges they face.
South Sudan:
The situation in South Sudan has become a major humanitarian crisis due to rising violence and worsening conditions. Nearly 2.4 million South Sudanese have become refugees, making it the largest refugee crisis in Africa and the fifth largest in the world.
Alarmingly, 65% of these refugees are children under the age of 18. More than 13 years after gaining independence, South Sudan continues to face severe humanitarian challenges. Conflict, public health issues, climate and economic shocks, and poor governance have drastically impacted people’s lives and access to essential services. According to the Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP) 2024, 9 million people will need humanitarian aid, and 7.1 million South Sudanese will require food assistance, based on the Integrated Phase Classification (IPC) projection.
We received this feedback from a South Sudanese pastor who lives and ministers in a refugee camp in Uganda: “We thank God because He is so faithful to us. Despite all the challenges we are going through, we still glorify God and thank Him for all that He has done. We are still alive, breathing, walking, and doing His work. That is something I must testify to amidst all the challenges.” He went on to say, “As Churches, we are doing well. Even though we belong to different denominations and have different doctrines, the Churches are working together and are united in certain activities, which is unique and special in the camp.” He also mentioned, “They have a zeal to reach the outside world; they have potential and energy, but it is difficult to know where to go since South Sudan is unstable, and in Uganda, within the camp, they are not allowed beyond the boundary of their allocated area. Funding is also a challenge.” He added, “Things are not easy for me and the people in the camp. They now give us cash instead of food—14,000 Ugandan Shillings (around US$3.50) per person, per month – and we have to buy salt, beans, and all staples. He asked for prayer for this as it is their most pressing need.”
Please join us in prayer for the following:
- Ask God to bring peace and stability to South Sudan, addressing the violence and unrest that have led to the severe humanitarian crisis. Pray for an end to conflict and for effective governance that will improve the conditions for all South Sudanese people.
- Pray for adequate humanitarian aid for the millions in need, including food assistance for the 7.1 million South Sudanese projected to require support. Ask for God’s provision and for the needs of refugees in Uganda to be met, including sufficient resources to purchase essential staples.
- Pray for the South Sudanese pastor and the refugee community in Uganda. Ask God to strengthen them spiritually and emotionally as they face ongoing challenges. Pray for continued unity among the Churches in the camp, that their collaborative efforts may be a source of hope and resilience.
Ukraine:
Due to the war in Ukraine, 16.8 million people are still in need of help. As of February 2024, nearly 3.7 million people are internally displaced within Ukraine, while almost 6.5 million
have sought refuge in neighbouring countries and beyond. Poland has taken in the largest number of Ukrainian refugees, hosting nearly 60% of them. The ongoing missile and rocket attacks have resulted in significant loss of life, widespread destruction of homes and businesses, and severe damage to the country’s energy infrastructure. This energy crisis is disrupting access to essential services such as water, electricity, heating, healthcare, education, and social support. Many Ukrainians are living in damaged or inadequate housing, facing life-threatening cold conditions. With the war persisting, humanitarian needs are increasing. It is estimated that approximately 14.6 million people in Ukraine will require humanitarian assistance in 2024. A ministry friend on the ground in Ukraine reported:
“The Church, in general, has been amazingly active during this time – housing, feeding, clothing, and evacuating people, among other things. There have been huge amounts of humanitarian aid coming in from governments, companies, and organisations, both secular and Christian, among many other sources. Out of this, new churches have been planted, but many in the conflict areas had to close. This continues. Tiredness begins to set in, the humanitarian aid continues to flow, but it is decreasing. Sadly, this is a usual pattern for areas of crisis around the world. The response from Ukrainian churches, together with outside help, has been remarkable in so many ways, and despite the tiredness, this continues. What makes it more remarkable is that the work is being done by few people. Many church members left the country, many are defending Ukraine, some have died, and some have relocated within Ukraine.”
He went on to say that perspectives may vary depending on one’s location in Ukraine. However, in his view, the focus must now shift towards preparing for life after the war. Things will never be the same, and the Church, Christian organisations, and foreign partners will have to adapt. This shift may even require new strategies and discernment. As humanitarian aid and financial support decrease, current efforts will become unsustainable. A good example is the House of Bread Union of Churches in their city. With 30 churches in the group, the head branch just bought a building to start a Christian kindergarten, school, and missionary training school. Remarkably, almost all of the funding came from local sources. This highlights a long-term vision, one that requires committed partners who understand the mission of the Protestant Church of Ukraine. Long-term partnerships will be crucial for aligning local and global strategies for the future.
Prayer Requests:
- “For the leaders to begin to pray and discuss a future Ukraine.
- For divine connections of foreign churches and organisations with Ukrainian churches and organisations.
- For long term partnerships to develop and for collective visions and strategies to develop between partners.”
The state of the world should break our hearts as it breaks God’s, compelling us to act with genuine compassion. It’s easy to read an article like this and feel a brief pang of sorrow. Yet, when God saw a world engulfed in darkness, despair, and sin, His love moved Him to take action. He left His heavenly throne, where He was constantly worshipped by angels, and took on human form. He lived a sinless life and endured a criminal’s death so that we might have eternal hope.
We, too, must be inspired by this kind of compassion that drives us to act, even at the expense of our own comfort. These kinds of events should not surprise us, as the Bible has already foretold these things and they are not expected to improve (Matthew 24). Therefore, as we move closer to the end times, with rising earthquakes, wars, and rumours of conflict, we have even more opportunities to be the salt and light, reflecting the love of Jesus as the world becomes darker.