Limbo

Here in Nimule we continue in limbo, waiting for the end of the Covid-19 crisis.  We are fortunate in that there are very few confirmed cases in the whole country – only 5, and no deaths so far.  For a change it is good to be at the bottom of the league tables.  I am very thankful for that as there are also very poor medical facilities to deal with even normal health problems, let alone an epidemic of any kind.

The main hazard for Covid-19 is seen as the truck drivers who bring supplies from other African countries such as Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda, which all have far higher rates of infection than South Sudan.  All these pass through our town on their way to Juba.  Our main road is the only tarmac road in the country, so it is a very important artery into the country.  The border is completely closed apart from these trucks.

Due to the awareness of the risk of these travelling drivers spreading the contagion, they are tested at every border they come to.  They are also no longer allowed to have any co-driver with them, at least travelling through South Sudan.  That must surely carry a risk of over-tiredness and resulting accidents, although I have not seen any proof of that.

Over the past two days, the testing has become yet more rigorous and long-winded so that the queue of trucks for the border is now huge and goes right through the whole town, passing my own home.  The drivers need to eat, so they have no choice but to buy food from the local fast food stalls, which must create a risk of infection as there is little access to face masks here.  One of the food stalls is in the foreground of the photo on the right.

This is not the first time truck drivers have suffered to carry out their jobs.  During the height of the war, when all the neighbouring towns to Nimule had been destroyed, the soldiers were looting and removing everything from the desolate homes, schools, shops and churches.  They then flagged down passing trucks, and forced the truck drivers at gun point to carry the loot to Nimule to be sold in the streets.  My heart used to bleed for them, as I watched the stolen goods unloaded.

Now they are risking their lives again to carry food and other necessities to South Sudan, with all the local people fearful and sometimes even downright hostile towards them as potential carriers of Covid-19.

For those who pray, please pray for these drivers and their families who rely on this dangerous work for survival.