World Relief Celebrates A Moment of Hope for South Sudan As Government Unites
***FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE***
February 25, 2020
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Lauren Carl
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World Relief Celebrates A Moment of Hope for South Sudan As Government Unites
South Sudan signs deal for a unity government, ending civil war
BALTIMORE – On Saturday, February 22, South Sudan’s two rivals, President Salva Kiir and Riek Machar, made a peace deal aimed at ending the six years of civil war. To seal the peace deal, former South Sudanese rebel leader Riek Machar was sworn in as First Vice President of South Sudan.
The civil war, which began in 2013 between Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) and Sudan People’s Liberation Movement-in-Opposition (SPLM-IO), has killed about 400,000 people and displaced millions. According to OCHA, in South Sudan, 80% of the people live below the poverty line, and of its 11.7 million people, 4.5 million are displaced and 7.2 million are in need of help.
“Over the years the world and media have turned a blind eye to the horrific conflict in South Sudan,” said World Relief President Scott Arbeiter. “This is a moment of hope in the nation, and we ask that you join us in praying for the Unity Government, the United Nation and the many NGOs on the ground, including World Relief.”
Since 1998, World Relief’s programs in South Sudan have been providing humanitarian assistance in the areas of healthcare, food security and other lifesaving activities. In the Greater Upper Nile region, World Relief is responding to the recent conflict and displacement with emergency health, nutrition and education programs while also distributing agricultural inputs and training sessions aimed at reversing the cycle of food aid dependency. In the more stable Western Equatoria State, World Relief is empowering local churches to serve their communities while promoting agricultural training sessions and savings groups.
“It will take years, even decades to return to the high hopes of independence in 2011, but the suffering has been so great, perhaps now there is a way forward,” added World Relief CEO Tim Breene.
This is a new beginning in South Sudan, and World Relief is asking for others to join them in prayer and to consider partnering with their work in South Sudan.
Download the PDF version of this press release.
About World Relief
World Relief is a global Christian humanitarian organization that brings sustainable solutions to the world’s greatest problems – disasters, extreme poverty, violence, oppression, and mass displacement. For over 75 years, we’ve partnered with churches and community leaders in the U.S. and abroad to bring hope, healing and transformation to the most vulnerable.
Learn more at worldrelief.org.
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