Written by: INcontext
Article source: www.incontextinternational.org

Another wave of locusts swarmed into Uganda earlier this month as the country – along with many others in East Africa – is battling the worst locust invasion in decades.

The UN’s Food and Agricultural Organisation has labelled the threat as “extremely alarming.” Unlike former swarms, the new wave of insects is at a growth stage, meaning it has the potential to destroy vegetation and plunge Uganda into the worst food shortage the nation has seen.

While Uganda has warded off insect invasions before, the most recent swarm has been harder to contain due to resources being diverted to fight the COVID-19 threat. Flight restrictions caused by the coronavirus lockdown have severely hindered the nation’s ability to import pesticides and other equipment. Many Ugandans have no other form of income apart from their farms and the locusts are currently hitting the poorest regions of the country the hardest.

The UN predicts that the locust swarms could increase 500 times by June and with personnel numbers down due to corona regulations, the government is struggling to provide the necessary relief.

From a Christian perspective, numerous global events happening outside of the coronavirus have not received adequate attention from both the media and the Church. Many nations, such as Uganda, are facing major trials, some greater than the risk of COVID-19, in their respective nations.

The Church should seek to follow the principle found in 2 Corinthians 8:13-14 “For I do not mean that others should be eased and you burdened; but by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may supply their lack, that their abundance also may supply your lack—that there may be equality”.

While the coronavirus poses a great threat globally, the Church should not lose focus on nations and believers facing other significant challenges during this time.

Pray with us for the following:

  • For more resources to be allocated to fight the locust swarms and help to prevent food shortages
  • For the global Church to be a source of physical and spiritual aid to those in affected communities
  • For local church leaders to boldly lead their congregations and communities with Godly wisdom through these fearful times

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Date published: 29/04/2020

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