SOUTH SUDAN: South Sudan in Dire Need of Humanitarian Assistance, Conference Appeals

Sr. Jecinter Antoinette Okoth, FSSA

Members of Sudan and South Sudan Catholic Bishops Conference (SSSCBC) through the Commission of Integral Human Development (IHD) have appealed to the faithful and people of good will to consider offering support to South Sudanese who “suffer the effects of complex emergencies.”

In the letter signed by the president of the Commission of IHD, Bishop Eduardo Hiiboro Kussala of Tombura-Yambio Diocese disclosed that the people of South Sudan are on the “brink of destitution following their great suffering.”

“The number of internally displaced persons who are living in deplorable conditions, and are starving has increased tremendously across the country, with the most affected being women, children, the aged, and people living with disabilities,” the Bishop highlighted, stressing that the people will continue to suffer the effects of complex emergencies which are still being experienced in many parts of the country, including those parts that had previously been peaceful.

Even though some people still live in their homes and are not internally displaced, the Prelate said in the letter addressed to the head of Caritas Network, people of goodwill, and the international community, “They are equally facing starvation since most of them have had to, ironically abandon their sources of livelihood in a bid to save their lives.”

Besides, reads part of the letter dated Friday, March 8, most school children have dropped out of school because of insecurity and fear of being forcefully recruited to serve as soldiers in the conflict.

“This has caused the number of out-of-school children to sore with most of these out-of-school children quickly becoming street children. This menace of the rising number of street children, if not addressed immediately, will impact negatively on the country’s security,” the Bishop said adding that due to lack of learners and teachers in school, most government-run schools have had to suspend their services, and have become homes for the internally displaced.

The South Sudanese Prelate disclosed further that the country is struggling with the aftermath of Covid-19 pandemic which led many people to lose their jobs and livelihoods and also saw the fragile economy of the country come to a near collapse.

“The skyrocketing inflation in the country makes matters worse as many people can no longer afford to buy even the cheapest of foodstuff,” Bishop Hiiboro noted and stressed that this has increased the poverty level in the country, as the number of families going hungry escalates.

Besides, the state of calamities in the country has also been worsened by floods in some areas and severe drought in others, making the country move back and forth with calamity issues.

“The saddest reality is our inability to overcome the effects of these calamities and cushion our people against them,” Bishop Hiiboro bemoaned.

“It is no longer about the country and its leadership, but about the people of South Sudan who are slowly perishing,” the Bishop said appealing to the people, as he adds, “Unless cushioned from these calamities we are afraid that our people will not survive as the majority of the population (64%) are helpless youths who have no source of income, while most of the remaining 36% are elderly persons. The situation is dire and therefore in need of urgent intervention.”

Referencing the scriptures Proverbs 3:2 and Galatians 6:2, the Local Ordinary of Tombura-Yambio Diocese noted that the Bible urges the people of God not to withhold good from those who deserve it and at the same time urges bearing each other’s burden to fulfill the law of God.

“Your collective generosity and solidarity will therefore make a tangible difference in saving lives, restoring hope, and fostering resilience in our nation,” the Bishop said stressing further for support that will help South Sudan “address the root cause of the recurring conflicts” so the country “can enjoy lasting peace.”

He expressed gratitude for the support the country has always received since independence saying, “You have been our anchor amid troubled waters and we can only say thank you and pray that the good God may reward you in ways that only He can.”