SOUTH SUDAN: Emergency Meeting on Safety of Priests and Nuns in Sudan
Archbishop of Juba Archdiocese Most Rev. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla
Ginaba Lino
The Archbishop of Juba has on Tuesday May 09, 2023 held emergency meeting urging diocesan and congregation houses to open their doors for priests and nuns seeking safety due to conflict in Sudan.
The meeting chaired by the archbishop of Juba Archdiocese Stephen Ameyu Martin says aimed finding out how to help priests and nuns coming from Sudan to South Sudan.
Most Rev. Ameyu stated that diocesan and congregation community should help in providing accommodation for Priests and Nuns.
“With the letter that I addressed to all the religious communities here in the archdiocese, I have instructed that at least all of us should open our houses for our brothers who are in Sudan that a Mill Hill is there and is running through this way and the Mill Hill fathers should welcome them, the same thing apply to all our congregations, the Missionaries of Africa and also the Sacred Heart nuns.”
He called on all Catholic organizations in South Sudan to intervene the situation of vulnerable people fleeing from Sudan.
In a phone call during the meeting, the bishop of Malakal diocese Stephen Nyohdo regrets the situation of vulnerable coming from Sudan.
Bishop Stephen says the help from the government of South Sudan still remain very low because the number of people who are stranded in Ruweng is large.
“Although the government there, the respond from the government with assistance is still very low because the reception of the people at the border is very huge and thousands of people are stranded at the River side in Ruweng and also in Melut.”
Caritas South Sudan under the diocese of Malakal has offered with boat to make sure that they support the vulnerable people cross the River to Malakal “he added.”
Bishop they are facing challenges of fuel to facilitate the transportation of the people from Ruweng and Melut to Malakal.
According to the information from the Bishop only two Catholic priests who were reported to be at the border.
He calls on both government of South Sudan to work hand in hand so that the r
eturnees and refugees are brought to the settlements.
In response to humanitarian situation, Caritas South Sudan headquarters in Juba says they are trying their best to see how they can help the vulnerable people fleeing from Sudan.
Caritas South Sudan regret the conflict of Sudan describing it as unexpected situation.
Hostilities between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have lasted for 22 consecutive days, despite the newly announced ceasefires.
According to UN OCHA report, About 730,000 people are estimated to have been internally displaced, and over 150,000 people have fled to neighboring countries.
Prices of food, fuel and other basic goods are reportedly skyrocketing, making critical goods unaffordable for many people.
In Khartoum, 61 per cent of health facilities are closed and only 16 per cent are operating as normal, leaving millions of people without access to health care.
Looting of humanitarian assets and offices has compromised humanitarian action in key locations. Efforts are ongoing to deliver assistance wherever and whenever possible.
The World Health Organization has verified 28 attacks on health care in Sudan.
Humanitarian organizations are working to expand operations, with food distributions restarting in eastern Sudan and response underway in many other areas.
During a visit to Port Sudan on 3 May, the UN under Secretary General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator, Martin Griffiths, called for parties to the conflict to commit to the safety of humanitarian personnel, assets and premises and enabling humanitarian access.
