06/01/2014 – ABM’S SOUTH SUDAN CONFLICT EMERGENCY APPEAL

 

ABM has launched the South Sudan Conflict Emergency Appeal in support of our partner, the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan (ECSS&S) as the situation worsens in the country, with tens of thousands of internally displaced persons (IDPs) needing emergency relief aid.

On 15 December 2013, fighting broke out between soldiers loyal to both sides in the capital Juba after President Salva Kiir accused the ex-vice President Riek Machar of attempting a coup which he denies. Mr Kiir is from the Dinka community and Mr Machar from the Nuer which has caused the political crisis to take on ethnic undertones.

Violence has been escalating, particularly along the border towns of Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity states. This has resulted in many people fleeing from their homes which has impacted considerably on other states and surrounding countries.

The United Nations now estimates that there are more than 400,000 internally displaced people and the death toll due to this conflict has risen to 10,000. Many IDPs have been seeking refuge in UN camps and also in church compounds but the humanitarian crisis is growing.

Unfortunately, peace talks in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia have been delayed once again due to disagreements. The South Sudanese rebels and government negotiators are expected to meet to try to negotiate a ceasefire.

The Most Rev’d Dr Daniel Deng Bul Yak, Archbishop of the ECSS&S, has written to the Archbishop of Canterbury appealing to him and others for assistance both in the church’s response to internally displaced and injured persons, and to advocate for successful peace talks in Addis Ababa.

He wrote, “We still don’t know how the situation may evolve in the next twenty four hours, days, weeks and months ahead of us. Also do appeal to some charitable organisations and agencies to please help alleviate the affected people as some of them are now dying of hunger, diseases such as diarrhoea and malaria particularly the children …”

ABM has been supporting the Relief and Development arm of the Episcopal Church – Sudan Development Relief and Advocacy (SUDRA ) – to respond to several resource and conflict caused emergencies over the past two years since the country voted to be independent of Sudan in January 2011.

Rev’d Joseph Loabe, the SUDRA Coordinator, is leading the response, in consultation with Archbishop Daniel Deng and Bishops from the affected areas, including Bishop Ruben Akurdit Ngong of Bor Diocese where much of the fighting has taken place and continues to take place. Re’vd Joseph and the Archbishop have already travelled to Bor and nearby Aweirial to assess the situation there. (The above photo from SUDRA shows people from Bor who fled to Awerial to escape the fighting).

The church has an infrastructure that is capable of responding to these emergencies, and an excellent network to ensure that emergency food and medical supplies get to where they are most needed. Its efforts are also a good complement to those of the UN and large agencies because of this network of parishes and dioceses, with a central coordinating body and good accounting systems to ensure financial accountability.

We are seeking your support to raise $50,000 to assist the church to meet urgent needs of displaced and injured people, particularly in Bor Town and nearby areas.

More updates will be published on this webpage as soon as they become available. Please keep our partners and the people of South Sudan in your prayers.

Download a .pdf copy of Archbishop Daniel Deng’s letter.

Download .pdf copy of the South Sudan Conflict Emergency Appeal flyer.

Download .doc (Word) copy of the South Sudan Conflict Emergency Appeal flyer.

ABM’s media release to the press.