JUBA—The Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo of Kajo-Keji County in Central Equatoria State on Thursday appealed for urgent humanitarian assistance after renewed border clashes displaced an estimated 10,000 civilians, leaving thousands of families in desperate need of food, shelter, and medical care.
Rt. Rev. Joseph Aba Nicanor, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Liwolo, said the fighting has forced residents to flee their homes, with many seeking refuge at St. Paul Cathedral and the Primary School in Sokara Boma after violence erupted along the South Sudan-Uganda border.
“The Episcopal Diocese of Luwolo issued this urgent humanitarian appeal following the recent armed hostility that has caused a larger scale of displacement, estimated at 10,000 people, as a result of the attack by the UPDF in the Andejoga region of the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces on Tuesday the 15th and the imminent and continual threats of attack of Pure and Gorbeleng,” said Aba.
Bishop Aba warned that women, children, and the elderly are bearing the brunt of the crisis, with many displaced people lacking access to clean water, healthcare, and other basic services.
“Thousands of innocent civilians have fled their homes in fear of their lives. The displaced population is currently taking refuge around St. Paul Cathedral in Sokare Boma, Mangalutore Archdeaconry Headquarters at the Primary School at Mangalutore Boma,” he said.
The bishop called on the government, humanitarian agencies, churches, and development partners to respond swiftly to the needs of the affected communities before the humanitarian situation deteriorates further.
“We therefore make this an honest appeal to humanitarian agencies, our churches, faith-based organizations, government institutions, development partners, charitable organizations, and people of goodwill to urgently stand with the suffering families and particularly the children,” he said.
“We therefore suggest the following priorities as the greatest need of our people now. Emergency food assistance, safe drinking water, emergency shelter materials, blankets, sleeping mats, and mosquito nets, essential house items, medical supplies, and health care services, hygiene and sanitation materials, protection of women, children, and other vulnerable groups.”
He said the majority of these displaced people are children, women, elderly persons, and other vulnerable individuals who escaped with little or no belongings.
“We look forward to your urgent support of this unprecedented incident that continues to make our people suffer. We also continue to ask you to pray for peace in this border that has cost many lives, and has caused people to suffer, and has caused many people to lose their own land.”
He also urged the people of South Sudan to continue praying for peace along the border, saying the conflict has claimed many lives, caused widespread suffering, and forced many residents of Kajo-Keji from their ancestral land.
“Pray that the peace actors will reign on these two governments, the government of Uganda, which is an aggressor, and the government of South Sudan, so that this issue of the border is solved once and for all.”
