World Relief President in Sudan: Prevention
Programs Key
BALTIMORE, September 30, 2003 - The
security deal signed last Thursday by Sudan's government and the rebel
group SPLA (Sudan People's Liberation Army) is a significant step toward
peace in Sudan, and has important implications for the relief and development
community.
"This is a major event for development organizations," said World Relief's vice president of international operations, David van Vuuren who is in Sudan. "With the advent of peace, the international community will be more willing to invest in long-term initiatives for Sudan."
This comes at a critical time for many Sudanese who are suffering from hunger and health issues caused by a combination of war and natural disasters. An end to the conflict in Sudan means a need for help for millions of displaced people and refugees returning home. According to World Relief president, Clive Calver-also in Sudan-aid should be used toward implementing programs that help prevent future crises.
"An ounce of prevention costs a lot less than a pound of cure," said Calver. "Preventative measures like agricultural techniques to increase crop yields and the implementation of basic hygiene, nutrition and clean water education can reduce future outbreaks of hunger and illness."
Calver explains that development work can also help solidify the peace process in Sudan. "Peace creates the condition in which development work can take place, and development work creates a condition in which peace must be sustained," he said.
Mukesh Kapila, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sudan, is urging donors to respond "generously" to emergency needs for the people of Sudan and to back new transitional programs to bolster the peace process, according to statements made by Agence France-Presse.
Calver is meeting with Sudanese churches to discuss how to better mobilize them in light of this latest security deal, and to assess how preventative development programs implemented by World Relief have and can make an impact on Sudan's humanitarian crises.
For nearly 60 years, World Relief has worked with local churches to create sustainable solutions that help the desperately poor. Operating in more than 20 countries and in 26 cities in the U.S., World Relief's programs include disaster relief, refugee assistance, AIDS ministries, community health, agricultural development and community banking.
For interviews please contact Matthew Pugh at 443-451-1966 or by email at mpugh@wr.org.