Two releases yesterday on supporting the South Sudan:
Episcopal Relief and Development issued a press release “Church Agencies Unite to Support South Sudan Relief and Recovery”:
The Sudanese Development and Relief Agency (SUDRA), the humanitarian wing of the Episcopal Church in South Sudan & Sudan (ECSSS), is supplying food, water and medical care to people displaced by the conflict currently enveloping the world’s newest nation. Episcopal Relief & Development is providing technical assistance and financial support to SUDRA, and serving as the key liaison for a group of Anglican Communion organizations supporting the relief and recovery work.
“In cooperation with the Anglican Alliance, we are leading a unified response to the current situation in South Sudan,” said Rob Radtke, President of Episcopal Relief & Development. “We are working in close partnership with SUDRA and ECSSS to develop and refine the response plan, and to engage our Anglican peers in supporting these critical efforts.”
According to a recent UN OCHA situation report, an estimated 743,400 people* are currently displaced within South Sudan due to the conflict that erupted on December 15, 2013, between militia loyal to opposing political factions. Of those seeking refuge within the country’s borders, fewer than half have been reached with any kind of assistance. An additional 130,400* individuals have fled to neighboring countries. Reports from Juba indicate that some displaced people are sheltering in homes abandoned during the last outbreak of violence in December, to which the owners have yet to return. South Sudan has suffered periodic resurgences of conflict since it peacefully separated from Sudan in a referendum vote in 2011.
Details of their current and proposed work followed.
Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori has called for Day of Prayer for South Sudan on February 16. From TEC Office of Public Affairs:
“The world is increasingly concerned over the rampant violence in South Sudan,” the Presiding Bishop said. “The recent increase in armed conflict, murder, and mayhem has been fomented in part by inaccurate reports of tribal partisanship. The new nation needs peace, in order that all its people might thrive. The Episcopal Church of Sudan is partnering with others on the ground in that work of peace-building. The Sudanese communities within our own Episcopal Church have been important and effective leaders in this work. I ask your prayers for peace, as well as your awareness and involvement in the lives of our brothers and sisters across the globe. The Prince of Peace serves the whole world. As his disciples, may we do no less!”