South Sudan’s Uncertain Future

SCIAF is helping vulnerable women and children in South Sudan to become free of violence (photo: SCIAF).

On 9th July South Sudan will be the world’s newest country when it becomes independent from the rest of Sudan following a referendum in January and decades of civil war.

In recent months SCIAF has been working with the global network of Catholic international aid agencies, Caritas Internationalis, to help thousands of people returning to the south.

Intense fighting has erupted in the border region of South Kordofan and tensions are high in neighbouring Abyei where an estimated 110,000 civilians were displaced in May when the northern army invaded.

Staff at SCIAF-supported Radio Bakhita promote a peaceful and inclusive South Sudan (photo: SCIAF).

According to Caritas Internationalis the ongoing fighting in the border regions could lead to a major humanitarian emergency unless there is an immediate ceasefire and the UN and international NGOs are given access to the affected areas.

SCIAF first started work in Sudan in 1986 and continued to support local partners to help the poorest and most vulnerable for much of the civil war. In 2007 SCIAF opened its first overseas office in Juba, the capital of South Sudan, to strengthen its work in the region.

Emergency response

SCIAF is supporting a massive Caritas emergency initiative to help up to 100,000 people returning to South Sudan. This has included training for key diocesan staff, buying six vehicles to strengthen the logistical capacity, purchasing, pre-positioning and distributing tarpaulins, blankets and buckets, and establishing parish-based information systems to collect and disseminate security and humanitarian related information.

Broadcasting for peace

Recent SCIAF support enabled the Juba-based Radio Bakhita station to provide accurate information, in local languages, on the referendum and to encourage a climate of peace through the production and broadcast of peace building radio programmes.

SCIAF's work with people with disabilities in South Sudan has helped thousands to improve their lives (photo: SCIAF).

Empowering the most vulnerable

SCIAF’s partner, the Sudan Evangelical Movement improves the quality of life of at least 6,500 people with disabilities by providing mobility aids such as wheelchairs, physiotherapy, counselling, community education and training for teachers and small loans to help start new businesses.

Freeing women and children from violence

Domestic and sexual violence against women is a major issue in Sudan. This project runs community-based workshops in women’s rights, is training 15 women as paralegals, and a further 300 women in human rights and legal literacy, in order to reduce the number of women and children subject to violence.

Helping lepers and their families

SCIAF has also worked with the St Martin De Porres Brothers to provide 481 mosquito nets, 400 cooking pans, 400 sleeping mats, 400 blankets and 400 jerry cans for carrying water to people affected by leprosy and their families, and will help to provide new houses and repair damaged housing in the village.

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SCIAF

Scottish Catholic International Aid Fund

South Sudan’s Uncertain Future