In Koch County in South Sudan, babies are being born with critical birth defects. Mothers are devastated, and physicians are concerned. People believe this is happening because of pollution from oil drilling by a company once led by Malaysia’s Petronas. Dirty water containing poisonous chemicals such as lead and barium has been consumed for drinking, used for washing, and applied in farming for years. Families report being forced to use it, even once children began becoming ill or dying. Aid groups and health workers reported these issues for more than a decade, but the companies and government did little to prevent them. Petronas exited the nation in 2024, refusing to admit any fault. Nonetheless, the harm persists. Dirty water continues to flow, and deformed children are still being born. So many families have been abandoned. Some call for justice and for proper clean-up, but they are poor, isolated, and unheard. They claim that their lives and the future of their children have been destroyed by oil.

Abba Father, we plead for Your healing power upon all the people, especially children, in Koch Country, South Sudan. Heal their land and water resources, which are contaminated by industrial wastes in the area (The Holy Bible, Exodus 15:26).

Pray for the authorities to take immediate action against the oil companies responsible for contaminating natural resources in Koch Country, South Sudan. Pray for the people in the Country to have access to clean drinking water and other basic needs and rights. Pray for justice to be served for the victims (The Holy Bible, Psalm 72:4).

News Source: Bloomberg

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