Three months ago, Anglican Missions launched Pray the News, with the goal of highlighting global situations often overlooked by mainstream media but with profound impacts on affected communities.
This week we're taking a look back over the last 3 months to see what's changed, where more prayer is needed and where our prayers have been answered.
Below are the updates on the situations we've prayed about over the past three months:
The ongoing conflict in Sudan has led to over 16,650 casualties and the displacement of over 11 million people, or one in every five people in the country. The humanitarian crisis remains dire. New food projections indicate a deepening hunger crisis for 25.6 million people with over 755,000 people facing famine like conditions across the country. There are significant challenges in delivering aid to those in need due to the ongoing conflict.
However, despite the security concerns, international organisations are ramping up their efforts - more than 7.1 million people have been reached with life-saving assistance. The U.S. has recently invited the warring parties to ceasefire talks in Switzerland scheduled for August.
Tensions in Gaza and the West Bank continue unabated. Over 39,000 Palestinians have been killed and the humanitarian situation remains critical. Over 2.7 million people in Gaza and the West Bank are in need of assistance. Evacuation orders and intensified hostilities consistently push the population into displacement over and over again.
Schools and hospitals (including Al Ahli hospital) continue to be impacted and destroyed in the conflict. Amazingly, Al Ahli has reopened after being forced to close by the IDF. Provision of safe water and sanitation is also devastated across Gaza. As a result, infectious water borne diseases are spreading, and the World Health Organisation are particularly worried to report the presence of polio.
There are also continued fears of the regional war escalating further. These fears have escalated following a rocket attack on the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights (which killed 12 children) and counter attacks on the Lebanese capital Beirut (which killed the leader of Hezbollah). The assassination of the leader of Hamas in Iran also sets ceasefire negotiations back significantly according to some observers.
Global calls for ceasefire are getting stronger however and there have been strengthened and renewed efforts by various peace organisations including the church in New Zealand to call for a ceasefire. In addition, Anglican Missions and TearFund New Zealand are part of a joint Anglican initiative to provide support across Gaza and the West Bank.
The above-average March-May seasonal rains received in Kenya, south-central Somalia, and southern-southeast Ethiopia resulted in severe flooding that affected approximately 1.6 million people. Of these, more than 480,000 people have been displaced from their homes across Burundi, Kenya, Ethiopia, Somalia, and Uganda. This is set to get worse in many regions as the likelihood of above average rains continue. The heavy rainfall has also triggered landslides such as that seen in southern Ethiopia this month.
Myanmar remains unstable and civilian protection concerns are on the rise as conflict continues to expand across the country. Countrywide, more than 3 million people are estimated to be internally displaced. Many of the newly displaced are living without proper shelters, enduring severe weather in the monsoon season. Recent attacks and occupation of humanitarian facilities in Rakhine and other areas are elevating risks for both humanitarian personnel and the populations they serve.
Heavy rainfall has been affecting northern Myanmar, in particular the northernmost state Kachin State, since late June, causing floods and river overflows, that have resulted in population displacement and damage. Humanitarian agencies and state governments have appealed for more resources to meet arrivals' needs, which include food, shelter, water and sanitation, and health.
Riots in New Caledonia highlighted deep social and political tensions between French authorities and the indigenous Kanak. While the situation remains volatile there is greater calm in the country and a relaxing of curfew orders. This comes after efforts to initiate dialogue between conflicting parties in Paris with further talks in Nouméa planned for September. Provincial elections initially set for December are likely to be postponed until 2025. In Aotearoa, the Anglican church called for peace and justice earlier this month and affirmed the right of the people of Kanaky-New Caledonia to self-determination.
The conflict in Ukraine continues, with significant human suffering and ongoing military engagements. In April and May, escalated attacks caused civilian deaths, injuries, and displacement, severely impacting homes, hospitals, and schools. A Russian ground offensive in Kharkivska Oblast resulted in over half the civilian casualties in May. Over 100 attacks on energy infrastructure since March 2024 have caused extended power cuts. Aid organisations assisted 5.6 million people and organised 23 convoys to front-line areas in the first half of the year, but funding shortfalls remain.
While the current El Niño cycle has come to an end across southern Africa, the consequences will be felt for months to come, with the hunger crisis likely to worsen and persist until the next harvest season beginning in April 2025. The crisis triggered by El Niño is expected to lead to a significant food shortages for many. Prices of some staple foods such as maize are reported to be more than double their typical price for this time of year and households are forced to skip meals to cope. Agencies report, however, that drought mitigation projects in Zimbabwe are going some way to combat the impacts of the drought.
Populations across Ethiopia struggle with the confluence of recurring climatic shocks, persistent conflict, widespread food insecurity, and reduced access to livelihoods. These ongoing challenges contribute to sustained humanitarian needs. armed group activity continues to restrict access in some areas, including in Amhara, where clashes between the Ethiopian National Defence Force and Fano militia have been ongoing. The Bricks for Life programme, which is situated in the conflict area, has been constrained due to the insecurity however, seed and fertiliser funded by Anglican Missions has been distributed and there are signs of a good harvest from September.
Please continue to pray using the resources available in Pray the News and let us know what you think. By joining together in prayer, we can support those affected by these crises and advocate for peace and justice around the world.