Drought in Sudan creates a need for church response.

Sudan (MNN)–Over a half million people are at risk of starvation in Sudan. The lack of rain, war and inadequate harvests are building into a significant crisis.

Aid workers have not been allowed to access some of the displaced people, while those who have been reached are camped under trees with no food, water or any form of shelter, media reports show.

Schools are also filling up with displaced people and pushing out local children. Locals have given the displaced some food and shelter but are reeling from drought and food shortages themselves.

Despite the ongoing attacks, humanitarian access to the region has improved significantly since a ceasefire agreement was signed on September 6 between the government and rebel Sudan Liberation Movement/Army.

In response the need, The Evangelical Free Church of Sudan is raising money to purchase supplies. A shipment of grain was sent out two months ago from northern Uganda into the Lopit (low-PEET) Mountain region. Relief provided in 1998 brought amazing results.

Seeing the demonstration of compassion by people in the EFCS, hundreds of nonchurched people began attending Free Churches.