Amid the swirl of events in the Ivory Coast (president-elect Alassane Ouattara to be sworn in today, claims that the last of the forces loyal to ex-president Laurent Gbagbo have been put down and the expected start of trial for Gbagbo this coming week) the Ivorian refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) have taken a bit of a backseat. Yet there are still an estimated 177,000 refugees (mostly in Liberia) and 238,000 IDPs (mostly in Western Cote d’Ivoire).

It was expected after the capture of Gbagbo that these numbers would go down, but despite the efforts of those within the Ivorian government and international aid organizations, they have remained fairly constant as the Ivorians who fled fear the violence is not over.

The ELCA has been working with its partners in the ACT Alliance, particularly the Lutheran World Federation, within Liberia to help meet the refugee needs there. It is hoped that as things begin to settle to a new sense of normalcy these refugees and their IDP brother and sisters will feel secure enough to return home to help move their country into its next chapter. During this interim time, let us keep these people in prayer, that the spirit of God may comfort them and ease they fears, that the strength of Christ may steel them for coming months as they begin the long journey to a home that for many may seem more new than old.

To learn more about the situation read the UN OCHA Situation Report #4.

To gain a perspective of what the refugees have gone through read the story of baby Pierre (pictured above). This story, from the ACT Alliance, tells of his birth as a refugee in Liberia and the struggle of his mother, grandmother and great-grandmother to escape the violence.

————-
Gifts to ELCA International Disaster Response allow the church to respond globally in times of need. Donate now.

Voting in South Sudan concluded this past weekend, possibly marking the birth of Africa’s newest country.  An article published by the ACT Alliance accounts the story of Anglican Bishop Paul Yugusuk and his pledge to be last person to vote at his station.  “And once I have cast my vote, I’ll blow my trumpet to mark the end of slavery and oppression in southern Sudan.”

While the voting was overall very peaceful, painful memories were revived this week as 10 southerners were killed as they tried to move from the north, a low point in a referendum week otherwise dominated by hope and joy. The killings also reminded everyone that while the voting process appeared to have been successful, a very complicated, difficult and dangerous period still lay ahead for all of Sudan, regardless of the outcome.

Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro recounted how the church led southerners in 101 days of peace prayers up to the referendum – a prayer for a change in our hearts and a prayer for a change in Sudan, he said.

Pointing to a mock ballot box placed at the alter, the archbishop promised the congregation he would pray at the ballot box for continued peace every day until July 9, the day the six year-long peace agreement between north and south Sudan expires.

Click here to read the full article.

Please continue prayer petitions for peace and security for those in Sudan.  Click here for Worship Resources from the ELCA.

Peace ~ Megan

As the week-long referendum vote for independence in southern Sudan enters its third day things appear for the most part to be going smoothly. In this historic moment in the life of not only Sudan but all of Africa the hope continues to be for a just and peaceful process, through the rest of the voting period, the month-long wait for final results (due Feb 6) and as the results are implemented.

In a statement from the ACT Alliance, General Secretary John Nduna calls for all parties to ensure that the referendum is free and fair. He also states that ACT does not take a stance on the outcome of the referendum and will continue to meet the needs of those in greatest need. The statement also gives a good overview of ACT’s work in Sudan.

The ELCA is a member of the ACT Alliance.

The ELCA is partnering wiith LWF-Uganda to provide water and sanitation systems assist communities in the continuing storms and flooding.

“I dreamt of sleeping in a dry house”
submitted by Lennart Hernander
Katana Goretti , 35, lives about three miles from the Kampala City Center with her family.  A very busy woman, juggling several seasonal and short term small businesses, she was struggling with domestic violence and neglect.  Katana took it upon herself to provide for her five children. It was difficult; her business required her to spend most of her time away from home and unable to care properly for her children.  Katana said, “I never felt alive at that time, although I could breathe and walk. I had no confidence in myself.”

In 2007, ACTogether and members of the Slum Dwellers Federation mobilized and sensitized residents in her settlement about savings and working together to solve their problems.  She helped form a savings group and was elected as both the secretary and the collector. She participated actively and worked tirelessly to balance these new roles with her business and household responsibilities. “I started dreaming of sleeping in a dry house.  I was tired of sleeping in water and the children fell sick all the time,” she said.

Using her savings, Katana bought 4 bags of cement and presented them to her husband demanding that the family needed another house. “That shocked me a lot, but somehow we pulled it together and started construction,” said James who uses his carpentry and masonry skills to provide most of the labour for the construction.

“Participation in the federation activities has changed a lot of things in my life.  The first time my husband, James, saw the importance of saving was when he did not have money for school fees. I just withdrew money from my savings and paid the school fees”. James agreed to join the federation and start saving too.  The family is now united, sharing problems, joys and responsibilities.  Katana runs a small business in Owino, the biggest market in Kampala City. She plans to seek training in business skills and management to improve her current business as well as exploring new opportunities.

In addition to saving, some training on rights and responsibilities, problem solving and leadership skills was provided. The settlement she lived in was threatened with eviction and Katana actively mobilized the community to come together as a ‘single voice’ and demand Government protection from eviction. With support from LWF and ACTogether, the eviction was stopped.

Thanks to daily saving, the family has abandoned their old flood damaged house.  Katana’s dream of sleeping in a dry house is becoming a reality.  A wheelbarrow of cement, sand and bricks welcome you at the new three-roomed house being constructed with the savings of Goretti and James.  The raised foundation of the new house will help to keep them dry during times of flooding, protecting them from sickness and disease.LWF Uganda in partnership with ACTogether, a local non government organization, provide support to grassroots savings groups as they work to speak with a unified voice and play a significant role in driving change to improve living and economic conditions in their lives. Through the Slum Dwellers Federation, local savings groups in Uganda have established networks of mutual support and sharing, as well as representative systems to amplify the voice of the urban poor.