We are working with our partners to deliver aid to people driven from their homes by fighting in Jonglei State.
An estimated 60,000 people have been forced to flee their homes in Jonglei State in South Sudan because of ethnic conflict that has claimed 1,000 lives in the past six months. The government of South Sudan has declared the state a disaster zone.
Our staff are on the ground in South Sudan, monitoring the humanitarian needs, and we have pledged £50,000 to help our partners respond to the emergency. Thousands of people are in need of shelter, healthcare, clean water and sanitation.
“The current situation remains very fluid, with many families having fled their homes for other towns further away from the conflict,” says Isaac Boyd from our sister agency, Catholic Relief Services. “Others have dispersed into the countryside, making it difficult to determine how many people are in need of immediate assistance.
“United Nations and government reports from Jonglei indicate that many villages have been burnt to the ground, and affected families face the prospect of returning home to absolutely nothing.”
A troubled history
Jonglei State has a long history of ethnic tensions, cattle raiding, kidnappings and sometimes violent competition for pasture and access to water.
South Sudan is one of the poorest countries in the world. It became independent from Sudan in July 2011, but, after decades of conflict, it has hardly any roads, schools or health clinics.
We have been working in South Sudan since 1972, supporting our Church partners in providing basic health, education, water and sanitation - and in building peace.