FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MEDIA CONTACT:
Derek Sciba, World Concern
206-289-7879 (office)
206-713-5564 (cell)
dereks@worldconcern.org

World Concern reaches displaced, hungry families

April 19, 2012 (Raga, South Sudan) – Humanitarian aid organization World Concern temporarily suspended work in Raga County, South Sudan, this week because of clashes between the militaries of Sudan and South Sudan near the border.

After bombings were reported in the border area north of Bora Medina, and the SPLA began commandeering trucks from local traders to move troops to the border area, World Concern halted work. Staff was able to resume work in Raga after about two days.

“The situation remains fluid and we will be monitoring the situation carefully,” said World Concern Director of Disaster Response and Security Nick Archer. “The spreading conflict has, and will likely continue to, impact our work on the ground. We are concerned about the security of our staff, and our ability to reach people.”

A major component of World Concern’s work in this region involves the distribution of 39 metric tons of Nutributter®, a ready-to-eat nutritional supplement, to 7,800 infants and young children at risk of acute malnutrition. Ongoing conflict, high food and fuel prices and drought have led to a severe food shortage in South Sudan. The distribution of Nutributter®, along with other forms of humanitarian aid, is critical to displaced, hungry families.

On Wednesday, the BBC reported new clashes had broken out in an area north of Aweil, which could affect World Concern’s programs in Warrap State as well.

For more information, or to arrange interviews, please contact Derek Sciba at (206) 713-5564 or dereks@worldconcern.org.

World Concern is a Christian global relief and development organization. With our supporters, our faith compels us to extend life-saving help and opportunity to people facing the most profound human challenges of extreme poverty. At World Concern, the solutions we offer, the work we do, creates lasting, sustainable change. Lasting change that provides lasting hope.Our areas of expertise include disaster response, clean water, education, food security, child protection, microfinance and health.