The Burning Sun of South Sudan

On January 12, 2019, five women who are part of a small NGO called CASS (Canadian Aid to South Sudan) founded by Jane Roy and Glen Pearson, left Toronto to spend two weeks with the people of South Sudan.  We visited the people who live in the north west state of this very new and struggling country.  This was my second trip to this area.  I was moved by how the people warmly welcomed us with song, drums and music. The children greeted us at the plane and asked us, over and over again, to take a “photo”.  CASS has been coming for many years and each year the welcome seems to get warmer.  What I have come to realize, is that they do not welcome us only because we are able to bring a little aid with us, as helpful as that is, but that they welcome us as friends.  They seemed so grateful that we have not forgotten them.  In some small way we are witnessing their reality and they ask us to let others know.  They do not want to be forgotten by the rest of world.

The beginning of this new country is still very fragile, but a new peace accord has been signed by the factions in the country.  We attended a peace rally which was historic.  It was a very hot afternoon, and we sat through many speeches that I did not understand because of language barriers.   But I could understand the hope people had for a better future.  I saw in their faces, heard it in their music and dance, and witnessed it in the many hundred who showed up for this rally.

South Sudan has a long way to travel to become a fully functioning country.  The people are tried of fighting, the young want to go to school, and these people want their country to develop and become a fully functioning democracy.  They know it will not be easy, but they want to try.  Because of that, I am richer because I have met so many of these people. I am grateful that I can bring their stories back to  our country.  Together we stand in solidarity for peace because it is a longing living in the hearts of all of us.  - Sister Joan Atkinson, CSJ

A Life-Changing Experience

As I continue to reflect on my journey to South Sudan in January, I am amazed at the strong effect it has had on my life. The timing was so right. I had just finished a commitment at our main residence, and the path ahead in ministry was not clear. I jumped at this chance, knowing little of what it entailed, yet convinced that I was somehow called to be part of the group that set out on such a challenging undertaking. I had little fear of the danger of entering a country threatened by war, or of the distance we would be from the amenities of life we take for granted. I trusted the experience and careful planning of those responsible for the trip, and their care and concern far exceeded my expectations.

What I met there in that very remote area were a people who had almost nothing to live on, but a people who struggled together to make a better life. Their spirit of hospitality and gratitude was based on a strong communal bond through which they found hope in circumstances that were quickly deteriorating. They welcomed us and acknowledged our presence among them with joy and celebration. The atmosphere here in this isolated area within the state of Aweil was very safe and secure for us, in contrast to the general upheaval in the country.

The people we encountered had responded to the choice between our coming to them or sending the cost of the trip which they could use to meet their needs after a year of famine. They chose our presence as a greater support. From them I learned the power of presence as a catalyst in the support of the poor. I had had no history of involvement with CASS, had done nothing for these people, and yet I was thanked profusely for my presence among them. Because I was there, they said they would not be forgotten. Such an experience has given me a path to walk as I grow older and less active in my ministry. The power of presence, which gives opportunities for listening, encouraging and affirming the poor and suffering, offers the gift of hope.  I am not sure what I was seeking when I prayed for guidance in making a new commitment, taking on a new responsibility, but my experience in South Sudan has somehow changed that request. Presently I feel challenged to a greater awareness of those around me, a greater openness to their needs, and a new way of life that gives me time to listen deeply and respond.

Joan Driscoll, CSJ

Engaging South Sudan

From January 13-28, 2018, three Sisters of St. Joseph will be travelling from London to South Sudan with Canadian Aid to South Sudan (CASS), led by Jane Roy and her husband, Glen Pearson. Sisters Joan Atkinson, Joan Driscoll and Teresa Ryan will be with eight other members of CASS, some of whom have been to Africa previously.  The youngest of the group is a thirteen-year-old girl who will be accompanied by her mother.

The purpose of the journey is to support the people of the Awell area, letting them know that they have not been forgotten by the world as they struggle with the effects of civil strife, poverty and food shortage following several years of civil strife.

The CASS group will stay in a Catholic mission run by the Camboni Missionaries.  From there, they plan to visit schools, health clinics and small enterprise groups along the way.  They also hope to interact with their hosts, praying and celebrating together.

South Sudan is a landlocked country in North Eastern Africa which gained its independence from Sudan in 2011. It has a population of 13,000,000, the median age being 17.1 years.  Since 2013, South Sudan has experienced civil war caused mainly by tensions between the two main tribes, the Dinka and the Nuer peoples over political and economic power.  Despite vast oil reserves, the country is poverty stricken.  However, the CASS visitors will not see military conflict but rather will witness the impact of food shortage caused by years of war.

Regarding the effects of war and exploitation on people and their lands, Pope Francis, in “Laudato Si” states, “The human environment and natural environment deteriorate together; we cannot adequately combat environmental degradation unless we attend to causes related to human and social degradation.  In fact, the deterioration of the environment and of society affects the most vulnerable people on the planet”.  Chapter 5 #48.  Witnessing such deterioration and degradation will be evident to the group as they visit the Awell area and reach out to them in their need.

We here at home, stand in prayer and solidarity with our Sisters and their companions of Canadian Aid to South Sudan as they undertake their long journey to be a solace and healing presence with the South Sudanese. May we continue to look for ways to be ambassadors of peace.

Jean Moylan, CSJ

As the world nears four famines, 22 million children are at risk

For Janet Tiko, every day brings the possibility of tragedy. Her nine-month-old son, Simon, suffers from malnutrition. She brought him to be treated at the Al-Sabbah children’s hospital in Juba, but Janet doesn’t know if it’s already too late.

More than one million people in South Sudan are now on the brink of famine. A United Nations declaration in February 2017 made the famine official, but the situation continues to deteriorate. There are 4.9 million people in urgent need of food and it’s estimated that more than one million South Sudanese children will suffer from acute malnutrition this year.

Unfortunately, since I last visited South Sudan in 2014, the situation for children has only grown worse. Ongoing conflict, a collapsing economy and depleted stocks from the last harvest have destroyed families’ livelihoods. As people flee violence, they’re left to survive on whatever food they can find – of which there isn’t much. Children have little choice but to drink unsafe water, leading to an increase in illnesses, especially diarrhoea, which can be deadly. Immediate threats to safety and health are compounded by long-term threats to the future of a generation.

The scale of today’s crisis is staggering, but South Sudan isn’t alone. The world is now facing the very real possibility of four famines, with food crises also threatening the lives of children and families in Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen. Across the four countries, nearly 1.4 million children are at imminent risk of death from severe acute malnutrition, and 22 million children are hungry, sick or out of school.

The good news is that child deaths due to famine and malnutrition are preventable if the right action is taken early.

In South Sudan, UNICEF and partners have conducted massive relief operations since the conflict began, and have intensified efforts to mitigate the worst effects of the humanitarian crisis.

Since the famine was declared, with the World Food Programme, we  have been conducting joint emergency missions, delivering life-saving supplies and services to the affected areas in Unity State. Together, we have reached almost 200,000 people – including nearly 50,000 children –  with food aid, nutrition screening and support and basic health care. This is just one aspect of our large-scale regional response.  

UNICEF is working around the clock to reach vulnerable children and families in the most remote locations. In South Sudan this year, we aim to treat more than 200,000 severely malnourished children and provide therapeutic feeding programs at 620 outpatient and 50 inpatient sites. We’re also working with the warring parties to prevent recruitment of children into armed groups and reunite children separated by the conflict with their families.

Across the four affected countries, UNICEF has more than 750 staff working to bring life-saving aid to the most vulnerable, and that includes more than food. UNICEF is working to provide 7.4 million children with safe water, 3.4 million with measles vaccinations and 2.1 million with education.

But despite our best efforts, the scale of the crisis is far outpacing the humanitarian response. Unless more action is taken, the situation is likely to continue to deteriorate.

UNICEF has requested $255 million to meet the urgent humanitarian needs of children in South Sudan, as well as Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen, in 2017. Last month, Canada announced $119.25 million to help scale up the response to the famine crisis, including $9.6 million for UNICEF’s work in South Sudan.

No child should die of hunger. The continued support of Canadians will make a difference in providing life-saving assistance to these children before it’s too late. 

David Morley is President and CEO of UNICEF Canada.