Pope Francis Reaches Out to Flood Victims in South Sudan’s Malakal Diocese with Donation

In their August 2021 Humanitarian Snapshot, officials of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) said six States in South Sudan have been most affected by the floods. 

The UNOCHA officials added that the humanitarian situation has been worsened by the incessant violence, food insecurity and COVID-19, which has infected 12,064 people in the country, among them 30 deaths and 11,617 recoveries. 

According to The New Humanitarian, South Sudan is experiencing its worst food crisis since it gained independence in July 2011.

On September 2, religious leaders in Western Equatoria State, one of the regions experiencing intercommunal violence, said the people of God who are experiencing “a great humanitarian tragedy” are in urgent need of food and medicine.

The faith-based leaders also condemned the violence that has reportedly led to the loss of at least 200 human lives.

More in Africa

Over 15 Catholic Parishes Closed amid Cries to End Violence against Christians in Nigeria

Read the article

The Mother Superior of the Sisters of Our Lady of Peace in the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio (CDTY), which covers the Western Equatoria State, also said that two formation programs had been halted and candidates admitted to these programs asked to return home amid tribal violence and insecurity.

In a statement issued September 30, the Bishop Eduardo Hiibiro Kussala of CDTY said the Clergy, women and men Religious and other Church personnel  hailing from the communities in conflict face the challenge of being identified by their respective tribes, a situation that is limiting their ministry.

Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.