PWRDF sends aid to South Sudan

The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF) has released an initial grant of $20,000 to ACT Alliance’s relief efforts to support the tens of thousands of people fleeing armed conflict in South Sudan.

This relief work is aimed at helping internally displaced people (IDPs) who have fled their homes but remain in the country by providing emergency health services, food, water, sanitation and other necessities.

Through ACT’s relief efforts:

• 2,500 vulnerable families will receive food rations.
• 8,000 people will receive essential drugs and access to health services.
• 20,000 people will have access to clean and safe water and hygiene kits.
• 15,000 households will receive “non-food items” including clothing, bedding and kitchen tools.

Archbishop Daniel Deng of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan and Sudan wrote to the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, to update him on the situation in South Sudan. “The crisis began as a political struggle within the SPLM [Sudan People’s Liberation Movement] party,” he explained, “but it turned into [a] military struggle which later on took the dimension of [an] ethnic problem.” Archbishop Welby issued a call for prayer for the country throughout the Anglican Communion.

In response, Archbishop Fred Hiltz, primate of the Anglican Church of Canada, issued this urgent call on Jan. 3 for peace talks scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in Ethiopia: “Pray for those on both sides of the uprising between the supporters of the President, Salva Kiir, and the former deputy, Riek Machar, that they lay down their weapons and come to the table. Pray for the ministry of the mediator, Seyoum Mesfin. Pray for all affected by this fighting and especially those living in refugee camps where conditions are rapidly deteriorating due to overcrowding. Pray for all working to bring them emergency aid and relief.”

According to the latest information from the United Nations, more than 230,000 people have been driven from their homes since fighting erupted on Dec. 15 between opposition forces and the government of the country, which gained independence from Sudan only as recently as 2011. Almost 60,000 people have sought shelter in UN bases within South Sudan, but a further 42,800 have fled to neighbouring countries, including Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda.

Those wishing to donate to PWRDF’s relief efforts can do so:

Online

You can designate your online donation for “South Sudan Conflict.”

By Phone

For credit card donations contact:

Jennifer Brown 416-924-9192 ext. 355; 1-866-308-7973. Please do not send your credit card number by email or fax.

By Mail

Please make cheques payable to “PWRDF” and mark them for “South Sudan Conflict,” then send them to: Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund Anglican Church of Canada 80 Hayden St. Toronto, ON M4Y 3G2