Latest News #221
November 14, 2002

The following news concerns Central African Republic.

Bible Society in Swaziland collaborates to reach out to famine victims

MANZINI, Swaziland — The Bible Society in Swaziland is adopting a collaborative approach as it seeks to meet the needs of the victims of the famine which has swept across most of Southern Africa. Swaziland’s famine can be traced back to low rainfall early in the year, which significantly reduced the maize harvest in April. In the eastern Lubombo region, the most seriously affected part of the country, around 144,000 people now require disaster relief, and across Swaziland a total of more than 153,000 people are facing severe food shortages.

Executive Secretary Sphiwe Ngwenya acknowledged in her initial report on the planned Bible Society response to the famine that churches may be forced to scale down their financial support for Bible Society work but emphasised that the Society would still look at ways of reaching out to HIV/AIDS victims and their families and to those suffering from starvation (see Latest News #205).

As more information emerges about the needs of the famine victims, the Bible Society has decided that a collaborative approach is required. It is, therefore, to work with Christian organisations World Vision and the Lutheran Development Service, which have already established procedures for meeting demand for food, clothing and shelter, particularly among children and the elderly. Although the immediate needs are practical, it is also recognised that God’s Word can bring great comfort to those in despair. As a member of a World Vision committee said, “The Word of God is needed even more now that the situation is so desperate, especially for the young generation. The Word of God will give hope and guidance.”

Bible Society staff are donating clothing and money to buy food. Both the clothing and food will be distributed through World Vision and the Lutheran Development Service. Beyond this immediate response, the Bible Society is also producing Selections aimed at Christians in places including schools, factories and government offices, encouraging them to send donations. The money raised in this way will be used to buy more food, with particular emphasis on making this available between January and March, before the next maize harvest, when the number of people needing food aid is expected to peak at 270,000. It will also fund the purchase of cassette players and Faith Comes by Hearing audio Scriptures, allowing listening groups to be set up at food distribution centres. Becoming involved in World Vision’s ongoing program of leadership training for preachers and pastors will allow the Bible Society to provide long-term support to those leading the listening groups.