The Church of Ireland Bishops’ Appeal is encouraging people to give generously to alleviate the suffering in South Sudan. For the first time in six years, famine has been declared. Following over three years of conflict in South Sudan, 100,000 people are facing starvation, with another 1 million on the brink of famine. Ongoing fighting in the world’s newest country has resulted in the mass internal displacement of people, the destruction of crops and livelihoods, a rise in food prices and the collapse of the economy.
South Sudan is in urgent need of humanitarian assistance. The people in the worst affected areas need food and safe drinking water immediately, and they also need commitment to addressing the root causes of the crisis in the long term.
Bishops’ Appeal is partnering with Christian Aid and Tearfund, who are responding to this emergency but also have ongoing projects within South Sudan that seek to develop long-term solutions to the conflict and the insecurity. Christian Aid’s partners have been distributing farming tools and seeds as well as providing agricultural training in Unity State, to help families get back on their feet. Tearfund has recently been involved in a food distribution project in the north of the country.
Parishes are asked to consider holding a church collection or giving what they can towards this cause.
Donations can be forwarded to Bishops’ Appeal:
Church of Ireland House, Church Avenue, Rathmines, Dublin 6.
Further details of how to give are on the Bishops’ Appeal website: www.bishopsappeal.ireland.anglican.org/give
