The fighting in South Sudan has displaced 716,100 people – and with a fragile peace agreement in place – there are serious concerns that people will not be able to return to their home to plant before the rainy season in April.
Without plants, there will be less food. This will jeopardize food security for over 3 million people.
Reconciliation
Reconciliation must be a priority for the government, the Church and humanitarian organizations if the country is to have any chance of a stable peace settlement.
CRS is significantly supporting the Church-led Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation spearheaded by Archbishop Daniel Deng from the Episcopal Church of Sudan, and Catholic Bishop Emeritus Paride Taban.
CRS also plans to support the Catholic Secretariat in higher-level advocacy and dissemination of critical messages to help restore relationships.
What Your Dollar is Doing to Help
Along with reconciliation efforts, Catholic Relief Services continues to provide needs to the hundreds of thousands of displaced persons.
To date, CRS and Caritas Partners have provided assistance to approximately 7,300 displaced families.
Non-food items for 4,000 displaced families will arrive in Awerial with distribution beginning on Feb 25.
CRS is supporting the construction of 21 latrines and hygiene promotion activities. Achievements to date include 1 completed 5-stance latrine and 5 under progress.
2,443 persons reached with hand washing messaging, 3,933 households reached with soap distribution, 332 persons reached with safe water messaging, 378 households reached with PUR distribution.
And much more.
Needs
Jonglei State
Jonglei was one of the states most affected by the conflict. CRS participated in a one-day rapid assessment, confirming the need for food, non-food items, health care, and repair of water facilities.
Awerial, Lakes State
In Awerial, CRS has a team on the ground to support water, sanitation and hygiene activities. Approximately 74,000 displaced persons from Jonglei State remain displaced in Awerial – many without access to adequate shelter, non-food items and adequate water and sanitation. Displaced persons are requesting seeds and tools and fishing equipment to support some level of livelihood activity.
Upper Nile State
Malakal Town was among the areas most severely affected with homes and market places sustaining heavy damage and looting. The priority needs for displaced persons in Malakal were identified as food, shelter, water and sanitation, and medicine/health.
What You Can Do
Pray for those displaced by this fighting, that they can return home before the rainy season to plant. To get critical supplies to displaced persons, you can make a financial contribution.