Wrapped head to toe in a loose, floral fabric, Amira takes the hospital bucket from beside her cot and steps outside the pediatric ward to do some washing. The ward is one of eight tents that make up the Samaritan’s Purse Emergency Field Hospital, which has been operating since Christmas Day.
Her babies, a girl and boy, are 42 days old, and they arrived at our field hospital 15 days ago. As Amira hangs their tiny clothes to dry, it’s obvious that they will be huge on the twins.
“My aim is only to see my babies grow,” Amira said. Samaritan’s Purse medical staff are working hard toward that same goal, carefully monitoring the twins and feeding them special formula until they are strong enough to breastfeed exclusively. Amira cannot stay with her babies most of the day because she has six other children, but she said she feels safe leaving them with Samaritan’s Purse staff.
“The doctors are very kind to my children,” Amira said. “This is the first time I have seen people love and care for babies like they do.” Amira was first displaced 13 months ago when she fled her hometown in Sennar state with her husband and children. When her new home in Jazirah state became dangerous, Amira fled a second time. Her husband was already living in Gedaref for work, and she had to make the journey alone.
“It was a really risky trip,” said Amira. “I was afraid for my daughter. We are very thankful that we are now here.”
Millions of mothers of children are facing the same danger and uncertainty in Sudan. But we praise God that Amira’s journey brought her here, to the field hospital, and that her story is now infused with hope and love from God’s people. “You’ve treated me so nicely,” said Amira. “I feel as if I’m with relatives.”
Whether airlifting our Emergency Field Hospital to Italy in the wake of disease outbreak, or responding to earthquakes and armed conflict, Samaritan's Purse stands ready to respond in the face of a myriad of medical crises. Your gift will help bring expert treatment, other basic needs and the hope of the Gospel to the sick and suffering.