Serving The Most Vulnerable During COVID-19
In the midst of a global health crisis, roughly one million people in the Nuba Mountains of Sudan still lack easy access to what they need most: quality healthcare and education.
Access to medical care and primary/secondary education does exist. In the heart of the Nuba Mountains sits Mother of Mercy Hospital, the only referral medical facility in the region. In nearby Yida Refugee Camp, the Endure Primary and Renewal High Schools serve nearly 1,300 students a year.
Operation Broken Silence has been providing financial support to all three of these critical institutions for years. Nuba nurses and teachers have certainly made great strides, but many people in the Nuba Mountains still live without a robust safety net.
NUBA & COVID-19
This isolated and little-known area of Sudan sits near the border with South Sudan. COVID-19 poses unique challenges here.
The Nuba Mountains are home to roughly 100 African tribal groups who have lived there for over 2,000 years. The one million Christian, Muslim, and traditionalist Nuba people live in harmony together.
Sadly, the tolerant Nuba way of life is in danger. The Sudanese government has committed two genocides here since the 1990s. A fragile ceasefire is in place right now.
People in the Nuba Mountains have limited access to soap and hand washing. Nuba is an agrarian and pastoral culture. If people don’t work, they don’t eat. Underlying health conditions, cancer, and preventable diseases are common. These realities make the spread of COVID-19 especially terrifying for those we serve.
OUR COVID-19 RESPONSE
Safety is our top priority.
As always, the safety of our staff and Sudanese partners is our top priority. Our staff is working from home and will do so for the foreseeable future. Our partners in Sudan are following local guidelines to help keep everyone as safe and healthy as possible.
Coronavirus has reached Sudan. The case number is small, but the country’s healthcare sector is in poor condition after 30 years of extremist rule. So far though, there have been no COVID-19 cases reported in the Nuba Mountains or Yida Refugee Camp. We’re still anticipating our work will be impacted in four areas:
1. Security. Sudan’s transitional government is fragile. We’ve always expected that regime elites will try to regain their dictatorial power. A serious coronavirus outbreak could be the chaotic moment they are waiting for.
2. Adaptation. Our Sudanese partners will most likely have to tweak their activities to promote infection control. This is especially true for Mother of Mercy Hospital, which is uniquely positioned to help the local population if coronavirus does spread to the Nuba Mountains.
3. Access. All of our partners have already reported travel restrictions, delays, or changes. We expect supply chains will be disrupted. It’s possible our schools in Yida Refugee Camp will be forced to temporarily close depending on government requirements.
4. Funding. We are already seeing severe disruptions in funding for these programs. Now, more than ever, we need to come together to protect the most vulnerable.
These are difficult times, but we are moving forward with our usual determination. We are working diligently every day to mitigate the impacts this global health crisis has on our work. A long road lies ahead, but we are as committed as ever to see the day that every single Nuba community is safe, healthy, and thriving.
Extra Benefits For Giving Now
Underneath the CARES Act, there are new benefits for making a donation right now.
On March 26, 2020, the United States government passed the CARES Act as a response to the coronavirus pandemic. For 2020, the limitation on how much of your charitable gifts you can deduct has been lifted. Previously, it was a maximum of 60% for cash donations and 50% for non-cash gifts. Under the CARES Act, these limitations have been removed for federal income tax purposes.
Additionally, anyone who donates up to $300 to our work can deduct it against other income for 2020, even if you don’t itemize. This is considered an Above the Line deduction.
Simply put, this is a fantastic time to give.
Additional Ways To Give
Donate Part Of Your Relief Check. If the pandemic hasn’t affected your livelihood and you are anticipating a federal relief check, donating your check will help people who do need extra support. If you need to take care of your own bills, please do that.
How much you give is up to you. We recommend spending some of your relief check at your favorite local businesses. You can support our work too. GIVE ONLINE HERE ➾
Give By Check, DAF, or Stock. If you prefer donating by check, make one payable to Operation Broken Silence and mail to P.O. Box 770900 Memphis, TN 38177-0900. This also applies to gifts from donor-advised funds (DAFs). Learn about investment giving here.
Give Monthly. Finally, we are strongly encouraging online monthly giving. Our monthly donors are the life support to our programs in Sudan right now. We have a new monthly giving campaign for the 24 teachers we sponsor in Yida Refugee Camp.
Even if all you can spare is $10 a month, please sign up to give. The Sudanese we partner with need your consistent support now more than ever. Your giving makes the magic happen.
Coronavirus Assets
Help us spread the word as you work from home!
You can share our new campaign video, Do Justice, on social media too:
About Us
Operation Broken Silence is building a global movement to empower the Sudanese people through innovative programs as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We focus on empowering Sudanese change makers and their critical work. Learn more here.
Donations are tax-deductible within the guidelines of U.S. law. Give today.
