On the night of 8 November 2011, a serious and deliberate aerial bombing occured on New Guffa, within South Sudan border, wounding many. While indications of insecurity were growing in the Blue Nile State of Sudan to the north, this direct attack on Upper Nile State in South Sudan was a clear escalation, and within only a few kilometers of SIM's base in the small town of Doro.

Due to deteriorating security conditions, the SIM team was air evacuated from Doro to Nairobi, and the clinic transferred into the care of five trained Mabaan Community Health Workers. One SIM team nurse wrote,

"The bombings continue, and they are getting closer. Refugees are flooding into Doro now - there were people camped all over the field in front of the clinic this morning, and yesterday afternoon, there was only one family. A hard time to be leaving. Many people are in great need."

The sea of beleaguered humanity now stretches for many kilometers. The UN High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) has taken responsibility for these displaced people and plans for a camp are underway.

As of 27 November, the UNHCR had distributed and run out of their food stocks; and the World Food Programme had yet to arrive. Food available in the markets is insufficient to feed the swarms of refugees camped nearby. Refugees who have been walking for weeks and months are severly malnourished. The average wait at one of the three boreholes within walking distance of the emerging camp is four to five hours. Lack of proper latrines, basic hygiene supplies, and clean water is likely to lead to a disease outbreak.

As patient numbers swell, health staff are overwhelmed. In addition to SIM's clinic in Doro, a Sudanese doctor, Dr. Atar, is setting up a clinic with surgical capacity in the capital city of Bunj. Medecins Sans Frontiers (Doctors Without Borders) will set up a temporary medical facility to focus on critical care.

The SIM South Sudan Relief project will provide funds to establish preliminary relief infrastructure and deliver immediate aid.

If you would like to donate to SIM South Sudan Relief efforts, please contact your nearest SIM office or give online to project 82490. Thank you and God bless!

	Refugees from Blue Nile State trekking into South Sudan

	Even the children and elderly walk for weeks

For suggestions about how to pray, visit here.