 | How CAFOD is helping |
| What can our School do |
| What your money could buy |
Q. What Crisis?
A. Intense human suffering is unfolding in Southern Sudan. C
AFOD has received urgent appeals for help from
people faced with imminent starvation, in a crisis created by combined drought and war.
"People will die if we do not get food to them now" says Cathy Corcoran, Head of CAFOD’s International Division. "Some have died already. Unlike many other aid agencies we have partners on the ground who can get food into the unaffected areas. It is vital to act fast, however. Food trucks must go in before the rains start in six weeks, when roads become impassable."
Q. How did it happen?
A. At least 100,000 people fled for their lives when the southern Sudanese town of Wau was attacked in January. Pouring into the surrounding rural areas of Bahr el Ghazal, many families have now been walking for three months looking for somewhere to settle.
Serious draught last year destroyed the harvest throughout the South, so that there is not enough food to go round. "Many people were already surviving on wild nuts and fruit", says Cathy Corcoran. "This exodus from the town has pushed an extremely difficult situation to crisis point." The next few months are critical, as the harvest is not expected till August.
CAFOD has overland access to the affected areas of Sudan thanks to its close relationship with the local churches. CAFOD has been providing emergency relief to north and south Sudan for over fifteen years, and will continue its work when the TV cameras have gone.
In the worst hot zone, CAFOD already supports a relief to rehabilitation programme targeting 42,000 people in Bahr el Ghazal. An appeal from the Bishops of Rumbek, Torit amd El Obeid was made for ground maize and beans, medicines, blankets, cooking pots and seeds for the new harvest. The Churches are able to reach people who are not receiving any other support.
Q. What is the Forecast?
A. "It may be possible to keep the situation manageable if sufficient food gets in quickly enough to sustain people until the August harvest", reports a CAFOD Project Officer currently in Sudan. Food alone will not solve the problems of a country torn by civil war, however. New peace talks start soon and it is hoped that current media attention will increase pressure on the world community to do more to broker a lasting peace. "World leaders have ignored the suffering in Sudan for far too long," says CAFOD’s director Julian Filochowski.
Pray for the People of Sudan
organise a special assembly to pray for the people of Sudan
| Dear God, your son knew hunger and fear, please comfort and support the people of Sudan in their great need. May we be filled with the Spirit of compassion and moved to help our brothers in whatever way we can. We pray for strength and courage for CAFOD's partners, and we ask for peace for all the people of Sudan. |
Lord in your mercy...............Hear our prayer.
Classroom Resources
Use the following resources to learn about Sudan
| Thirsting for peace in Sudan - Harvest 1996 |
| Focus on Sudan - Fairground: Issue 9: Autumn 1996 |
Action Ideas
Write to your MP -ask them what the British government is doing to help the people of Sudan
| ask them to encourage the government to use its influence with the Sudanese government to help brign about a lasting peace. |
| ask them to support policies which promote peace and remove poverty |
| tell them you are concerned about what is happening in Sudan and why |
Write to your local Radio/TV station -ask them to keep you informed about what is happening in Sudan.
Link with your local parishes
Contact the CAFOD coordinator in your parish and ask how you can help
What your money could buy
FOOD: Ground maize and beans are the most urgent needs. Oil, rice. lentils and cereals are also needed. As well as food aid, CAFOD's partners are delivering seeds and tools to help bring in the next harvest.
SHELTER: Thousands of displaced families are without homes. CAFOD emergency grants will be providing plastic sheltering, blankets and clothing.
MEDICINE: Malnourished children and adults are vulnerable to disease. 70 medical kits are being purchased for the Rumbek diocese.
TRANSPORT: Each 10-tonne truck costs �420 to hire and fuel. CAFOD partners are racing to get as many loads into Sudan as possible before the rains begin.
A donation of �30 would be enough to feed a family of six for two weeks
�12 could buy seeds to bring home the next harvest for a Sudanese family
