19th August 2026

In the village of Zamboye, about 50km (31 miles) from the town of Baboua in the Central African Republic (CAR) more than 100 people have died after an landslide at a traditional goldmine.  The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when an avalanche of sand enveloped a group of people, likely the miners, trapping them under the deluge.  “The ground completely collapsed and buried people,” Cedric Mbango, a miner at the site, told the AFP news agency, describing the incident as “catastrophic”. Tractors and heavy machinery are being used in the search and rescue activity but there is concern that these could jeopardise the rescue of those still alive under the landslide.

Loving God, we bring to you the needs of our neighbours in the Central African Republic.  We pray for your comfort, love and care for all who grieve as a result of this catastrophe. We ask that those involved in search and rescue will take care to ensure as many as possible are rescued and brought to safety. Guide all who manage similar operations to ensure that strict health and safety procedures are followed to minimise the dangers and risk to life in mining activities.  We pray for the safety of all whose work is dangerous. May the desire for profit not exceed the desire for maintaining safe working practices. In Jesus' name we pray.  Amen.

In 2025, global instability and complex, ongoing crises in places like Gaza, Sudan and Haiti pushed children’s needs to record levels. An estimated 213 million children needed humanitarian assistance in 2025, up from 183.5 million in 2024. UNICEF responded to 414 humanitarian emergencies around the world reaching more than 255 million children with services to prevent, detect and treat malnutrition. UNICEF delivered over 1.6 billion polio vaccine doses were delivered to children in need.  Last year  UNICEF and its partners helped provide clean drinking water to more than 34 million people worldwide, and enabled more than 27.8 million out‑of‑school children to get back into school.

You can find out more about how UNICEF supported children across the world in 2025 here.

I will praise you Lord with all my heart

Your works are great,

Your deeds, glorious and majestic.

Your righteousness endures forever.

You are gracious and compassionate.

You provide for all your people,

remembering your covenant forever.

You are always honest and fair

Your laws can be trusted.

They are true and right

and will stand forever.

Holy and awesome is your name.

To you belongs eternal praise.

Prayer based on Psalm 111