"They Need Peace, Shelter and Food": Bishop Eduardo's Urgent Appeal for Tombura’s Displaced Families
"They Need Peace, Shelter and Food": Bishop Eduardo's Urgent Appeal for Tombura’s Displaced Families
By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Apart from the celebration of the Holy Mass during the heartfelt mission of compassion and solidarity of bishop Eduardo to Tombura County on 19th May 2024, the bishop also visited the camps in Tombura where many internally displaced persons (IDPs) are currently residing, from the church and extending his outreach to various camps within Tombura town, offering encouragement, raising morale, and providing hope to those affected by the ongoing instability in the region.
Drawing a parallel with the Holy Family’s flight to Egypt, the bishop reminded the community that just as Jesus, Mary, and Joseph sought refuge and safety, so too have these families fled to the camps seeking protection from the turmoil. He further emphasized to them that this period of displacement is not the end but a challenging passage toward eventual peace and stability.
Coming to face-to-face with the dire reality, the bishop noted that the entire town of Tombura is currently under makeshift shelters, tents made of plastic sheets that offer minimal protection, lamenting that during the day, the intense heat makes living conditions almost unbearable, and when it rains, the water flows freely through the camps.
“The whole town is living in tents, they are waiting there for peace, they are using plastic sheets during the day it is extremely hot, with the rain, it’s not even safe, water flowing everywhere, they are sleeping on the ground no food, no medical support and the site is not good, there’s no support for the people and people are desperate, they need peace, first and foremost they need a shelter, they need food and other services”.
The bishop’s message was clear, the people of Tombura need peace, shelter, food, and medical services. These are basic human rights that must be ensured to restore dignity and hope to their lives, he called on the broader community to remember these displaced families in their prayers and with compassion and urgency.
