Act for Peace responds to violence in South Sudan
23/01/2012 4:54:38 PM
Act for Peace’s partners are assisting civilians displaced by the most recent spate of inter-communal violence in the Jonglei state of South Sudan, with emergency provisions, psychosocial support and long term peace building activities.
On January 4, the government in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, declared Jonglei a “humanitarian disaster area” and requested international assistance.
Isaac Billy/UN Photo
Ethnic violence in the Pibor area of Jonglei state in South Sudan has displaced tens of thousands of people.
The United Nations estimates that more than 60,000 people have been displaced by this latest round of armed conflict between two ethnic groups, the Lou Nuer and Murle. Most civilians needing assistance have been living in the bush for approximately two weeks — many without access to food, water and shelter.
The violence in Jonglei erupted last month following a series of cattle raids and abductions. The longstanding tensions are fuelled by decades of underdevelopment and the proliferation of small arms in the state, the biggest in South Sudan.
“Act for Peace has long supported peace building work in the region, including in the lead-up to the referendum that led to the creation of the new country of South Sudan,” said Act for Peace executive director Alistair Gee. “It’s tragic to see that violence has flared once again and that so many lives have been lost. Our partners are providing essential support to people displaced as a result of this bloody conflict.”
A push for peace
Act for Peace is also supporting efforts to address the larger context of conflict from which the humanitarian emergency has evolved. Our partner, the Sudan Council of Churches, continues to provide leadership in peace and reconciliation efforts between the Lou Nuer and Murle communities, along with local and national leaders and international agencies.
The emergency in Jonglei is only the most recent example of several ongoing humanitarian challenges stemming from inter-communal and inter-ethnic conflict in the world’s youngest country, which officially gained statehood in July 2011.
“The world cheered the birth of the South Sudanese state last year, even knowing the tremendous challenges to be faced. Now the people of Jonglei must be supported quickly — to end violence, protect civilians and provide humanitarian assistance even in the most remote areas where access proves difficult,” stated John Nduna, general secretary of the global ACT Alliance, a network of churches and church-related agencies, including Act for Peace, that work together in humanitarian assistance and development.
