South Sudan – 8th Sitrep on the Conflict in Jonglei State

LWF South Sudan – Weekly Update No. 8

20 February 2012

Situation Report

As a consequence of the non-aggression and cooperation pact signed by the two Sudans in Addis Ababa on 15 February delegations from Khartoum and Juba agreed to immediately demarcate the border between the two countries as a step towards quelling the current cross-border violence. (Sudan Tribune & BBC)

Returnees - The spontaneous return of South Sudanese from Sudan has continued with over 750 people arriving from the 9 – 16 February. The total number of returnees coming home to South Sudan since October 2010 stands at over 365,000. South Sudan and Sudan signed an agreement on the return of South Sudanese living in Sudan, valid until 8 April. Humanitarian organisations are preparing for a mass influx of up to 500,000 returnees, many of whom are predicted to return before 12 April 2012. (OCHA)

Food Security – According to the World Food Program if conflict continues to force people from their homes and food prices keep rising, the number of people who are severely-food insecure in South Sudan could double.

Disarmament – It is widely acknowledged at all levels throughout South Sudan that violence will continue unless a comprehensive disarmament program takes place. Whether this will be achieved peacefully or by force is a matter of opinion. Estimates on the number of weapons in the country conclude that there is an average of eight guns for every 100 people in the civilian population and at least one per person in armed groups.

The Small Arms Survey, an independent Swiss NGO, says that the Government of South Sudan’s peace building strategy is to forcefully disarm the population first, then control arms in the long-term while fostering reconciliation. The aim is to save lives in the short term and prevent Khartoum from waging another proxy war through armed Southern groups.

Jonglei’s minister of Law Enforcement, Gabriel Duop Lam, has urged citizens in Jonglei to cooperate with the South Sudan military to disarm peacefully. He says that three battalions are already in Bor County and some more forces are on their way to Jonglei to begin the disarmament exercise. The Nuer White Army, who claim responsibility for the recent raids, say that they will deploy 30,000 armed men around Pibor to “quarantine” the Murle. (Sudan Tribune)

Jonglei – Six people were killed and four wounded in three attacks in the state, according to the United Nations. The initial phase of the emergency response operation is complete for parts of Jonglei State. However, insecurity continues to hamper relief efforts in northern areas. (OCHA)

The vice president of South Sudan Riek Machar together with governor of Lakes, Unity and Warrap states met on Saturday morning to discuss cattle rustling and border issues. The chiefs of Mapel County told Machar the cattle rustling can largely be blamed on the lack of development and roads that would connect communities. Constructing roads would encourage communities of each county to trade commodities instead of raiding each others’ cattle. (Sudan Tribune)

People have been steadily returning to their villages in Pibor, Gumuruk, Likuangole and surrounding areas in the east of Jonglei. The provision of clean drinking water in affected northern areas remains deficient due to access constraints and a limited number of aid agencies on the ground. (OCHA)

Unity and Nile States – Over 100,000 refugees in Upper Nile and Unity states are fleeing fighting in Sudan and an estimated 110,000 people have been displaced from Abyei. Humanitarian assistance continues to some 26,400 refugees in Unity State, who have fled ongoing fighting in Sudan’s Southern Kordofan State. (OCHA)

LWF Response

As major attacks have abated over the last few weeks, LWF has been able to continue its’ development programs shifting the nature of the response from emergency relief to rebuilding. The current focus of these programs is livelihoods, food security and peace building in a long-term effort to reduce the likelihood of future cattle raids. The strategy is to shift the community’s resources from pastoralism to crop cultivation.

Food Security – The recommencement of LWF’s development programs is allowing the distribution of fishing kits and seeds to take place. Seeds are being transported to northern Jonglei and will be distributed when the rains begin, which is predicted to be in March. 1000 fishing kits are being transported to Pibor county where they will be distributed among communities affected by the violence that has occurred there.

Water and Sanitation – CARE International is working in Twic East county, based in Panyagor. They have Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) capacity and they are currently conducting an assessment in this area. Once the needs are identified and if additional WASH capacity is needed Norwegian Church Aid (the lead agency within the ACT Alliance for WASH) is available to consider deployment if it is required.

Non-Food Items (NFIs) – LWF’s consignment of 2500 NFI kits have arrived in Bor, where 1000 will be stored. The remaining 1500 have been transported to Panyagor from where they will be distributed or stored for distribution at a later date.

Peace Building – Continuing LWF development programs include peace building. As the Small Arms Survey states ‘fewer weapons in circulation could also help to restore the authority of traditional leaders and resolve inter-communal conflicts’. Regardless of the pace or way that disarmament occurs, LWF has community leaders on peace committees at the village level and has funded the Sudan Council of Churches to reach out to those who live in the cattle camps and who are behind the violent cattle raids.

Arie Den Toom

LWF South Sudan Representative

Mauritania – 3rd Sitrep on the looming Crisis in the Sahel

Dear Partners,

Warmest greetings from Nouakchott, Mauritania!

LWF Mauritania – Weekly Update #3

February 20, 2012

Situation Report

 

Drought Crisis – The country emergency forum took place on Wednesday, February 15. The Government, UN agencies and NGOs (including LWF/DWS) attended the event. Four major points were discussed, including the update on ‘’EMEL’’ (Government emergency response plan), the situation of the Malian Refugees, results of food insecurity & nutrition surveys, and the country emergency team. It is worth mentioning that apart from this forum, UN Agencies and NGOs are fully involved in the process of emergency response planning and funds mobilization.

The Government has started implementing its emergency response plan. As a result 286 stops ‘’boutiques témoins’’ have been operated in the outskirts of Nouakchott. They have been supplied by the Government with imported food items (rice, oil, milk, sugar). At present, the Government is in the process of transporting food to rural areas using Army trucks. The identification of the most vulnerable households in rural areas is on-going. The identified households will benefit from the Government’s free distribution of food. It is expected that EMEL will contribute to the reduction of the current drought effects in terms of food availability and stabilization of food prices.

Malian Refugees – Last week, it has been noted that Malian Refugees continued to arrive in Fassala. The updated statistics as of February 8, 2012 for the Malian Refugees hosted in Fassala are given below (provided by the LWF/DWS Hodh Zone Coordinator):

Total number of Malian Refugees	22,223
Number of households	4,996
Number of children	5,304
Number of pregnant women	461
Number of children not immunized	925
Number of children partially immunized	33

 

The no. of new arrivals is estimated at 600 people/day. If this rate continues then more than 30,000 refugees are expected by the end of February. To ensure their protection and well being, the Government is rehabilitating Mbeur where the Malian Refugees will be relocated starting from March 1, 2012.

 Actions from LWF/DWS

• The Country Representative attended country emergency forum around drought crisis and Malian Refugees
• Maintaining regular contacts with the ELS (Lutheran Church of Senegal) regarding the plan for the joint emergency response
• The Program Coordinator, the Emergency Specialist and the PME Team are in the South-eastern part of the country for field visits
• Gathered data and information of the drought affected communities and people
• Closely monitored the Malian Refugees situation [presence of the LWF/DWS Hodh Zone Coordinator and ARDM (LWF/DWS local implementing partner)]
• Start preparing the NFI distribution to the Malian Refugees (new caseloads)
• the ACT Appeal which will include support to drought affected populations (in Mauritania and in Senegal) and Malian refugees will be finalized in the coming week.

Actions from other Stakeholders

• Oxfam carried out food security survey in Brakna and Gorgol
• World Vision is working on a food for peace proposal to be implemented in Assaba
• The Government has started the rehabilitation work of Mbeur, the new location the Malian Refugees (effective on March 1)
• UN Security Unit has appointed the Security Officer in charge of Mbeur Region. The Government has reinforced security in the area by providing additional Gendarmes and logistics
• UNHCR conducted an assessment and received US$3,000,000 for immediate needs. It has started to design the Mbeur camp
• WFP is working on the possibility of having regular aviation service (UNHAS) for Humanitarian Staff and transportation of supplies.

Thanks so much for your continued support to LWF/DWS Mauritania.

Sincerely yours,

Kasongo Mutshaila,

LWF/DWS Mauritania Representative.

Central America – LWF Welcomes UN Call for Protection of Human Rights Workers in Honduras

“Honduras faces serious challenges in combating violence and insecurity,” said UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Sekaggya at the end of her eight-day mission in the country (14 Feb), where she was monitoring and reporting on the human rights situation. © Thomas Ekelund

Latin American Churches Working on Human Rights Network

TEGUCIGALPA, Honduras/GENEVA, 17 February 2012 (LWI) – The Lutheran World Federation (LWF) has welcomed a preliminary United Nations report on human rights violations in Honduras that urges protection of human rights workers, who are facing death threats, extrajudicial executions, disappearances and torture.

“We welcome the UN envoy’s preliminary statement,” said Eva Ekelund, regional representative of the LWF’s Department for World Service (DWS) in Central America. “The situation is one of ongoing violations of human rights.”

UN Special Rapporteur Margaret Sekaggya on 14 February in Tegucigalpa said Honduras faces serious challenges in combating violence and insecurity. “The pervasive impunity and absence of effective investigations of human rights violations undermine the administration of justice and damage the public’s trust in authorities.”

Those under threat include journalists, National Human Rights Commission staff, lawyers, prosecutors and judges, as well as human rights defenders and those working on environmental and land rights issues, said the UN independent expert charged with monitoring the situation of human rights defenders at the end of an eight-day mission to the country. Her final report will be issued in 2013.

In August 2011, the LWF called for the establishment of an Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Honduras in light of violence over land issues. LWF General Secretary Rev. Martin Junge said scrutiny brought by the UN office would help deter the violence.

Ralston Deffenbaugh, LWF assistant general secretary for International Affairs and Human Rights, stressed the continuing need for a UN presence in Honduras. “Killings and other human rights abuses are carried out with impunity.  There are no satisfactory investigations.  There are no independent international observers,” he said.

Churches and human rights organizations report that over the past two years the killing of peasants in Bajo Aguán has become a horrifying part of daily life.

When two masked men shot Matias Valley on 20 January, he became the 45th organized peasant to be slain in the agrarian conflict in Aguán. “What happens in Honduras is attributed to organized crime and drug trafficking, but the offenders are the armed forces and police,” said Diego Almedo (a pseudonym), who has risked his life to denounce human rights violations in the region.

Honduras is one of the countries with the highest rates of violence in the world, with 82 deaths per 100,000 people, according to the National Autonomous University in Honduras.

The situation in Aguán stems from agrarian reform in 1972 when the Honduran government gave land to a big landowner. The peasants have since organized to demand their land back. In response, the government has deployed 600 police and army officers to the region.

A recent DWS update on the human rights situation in Honduras warned that the situation in general, and especially in Bajo Aguán, was “alarming,” adding, “There is cause of great concern with massive loss of life.”

Ekelund said DWS continues work with existing networks to provide protection and refuge for human rights defenders.

Rev. Dr Patricia Cuyatti, LWF area secretary for Latin America and the Caribbean with the Department for Mission and Development, said the LWF member churches in the region are establishing a network to monitor human rights violations.

“Having a UN office in Honduras will reinforce the work of the state institutions and civil society organizations, which includes the churches,” she stated.

Deffenbaugh noted that the voice of the church is particularly vital in the current situation. “Along with other civil society actors, the church calls for respect for human rights and dignity, and for an end to impunity,” he said.

 

(Lutheran World Information)

Uganda – Nodding Disease – No known cure – 5000 cases now in LWF project areas!

by Jesse Kamstra,  LWF Country Representative, LWF Uganda & Burundi

Nodding Disease – is ravaging the lives of thousands of families in northern Uganda

Nodding disease has ravaged families and left thousands in a state of utter dispair in the LWF project areas of Kitgum and Pader

Dear All,

Imagine you have seven healthy children. Now imagine that over the past four years, one of your children falls sick to a mysterious disease each year. This disease has no known cause and no cure. Four years later, you are now left with five children, of which only three are healthy; you are left with limited resources since you are unable to farm in fear of your children having an ‘episode’ while you are out; and you are left with questions but no answers. Unfortunately, for those families living in Northern Uganda this is a reality.

Nodding Disease in LWF Project Areas - We at LWF-Uganda write to inform you of this extremely pressing issue that is greatly disturbing the community members LWF works with in our northern districts of operation—Kitgum and Pader. A mysterious disease, commonly referred to as the ‘Nodding Disease,’ has ravaged families and left many in a state of utter despair. This progressive disease predominately targets children between the ages of three and 18.  It can be fatal and is characterized by head nodding, mental retardation and stunted growth. With time, symptoms worsen and include blindness, body stiffness, endless running of nose and saliva, in ability to control bowel and bladder and eventually death. The disease first appeared in the communities around 2008; however, only a handful of community members were affected. Now, just four years later, more than 3,000 children have been diagnosed with the disease but entire communities are handicapped with caring for these children and plagued by the fear of the disease’s unknown.

Immediate Action needed – LWF-Uganda has always strived to ‘Uphold the Rights of the Poor and Oppressed’ in these regions. We provided the community with emergency relief during the LRA insurgency and over the past five years have assisted them in resettlement and creating sustainable livelihoods. Now, with many of these people having left the IDP camps a few years ago—disaster is striking again. In order to continue to ‘Uphold the Rights of the Poor and Oppressed,’ LWF needs to immediately take action to support the households affected by this Nodding Disease.

No Known Cure – While the cure and cause remain unknown, LWF believes action can be taken now. Given our history in the area and our extensive work dealing with livelihoods, sanitation, nutrition, advocacy and providing psychosocial support, our services are imperative for helping those affected families regain a dignified lifestyle.

We need your support - In order to prioritize the needs of these nodding disease victims and their families, we need your support. We need to expand the scope of our current programs as well as develop new programs specifically geared to supporting the Nodding Disease victims. In order to do this we request your monetary assistance and/or your assistance in gathering more awareness and supporters to this deadly disease.

Will share Concept Note for Fund Raising - By the end of the week, LWF-Uganda will supply you with a brief concept note that will detail the specific impacts of the disease, our intended actions and their objectives. We hope that this document will help you raise funds, as well as, encourage you to disseminate throughout your circles to raise awareness.

In addition, in collaboration with other stakeholders, LWF is in the process of developing a funding proposal that details the specific livelihood needs of the affected, the gaps in services provided and the proposed way forward. We hope to have this completed in the next month. In the meantime, we encourage you to read up on the disease. We have attached links to some recent articles about the disease for your convenience. As you will find, this disease is starting to receive a lot of press. As it moves to the forefront of the press, we ask you to help us take action to support these families in need.

You can read more:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/david-lindsay/nodding-disease_b_1258149.html

http://www.irinnews.org/film/?id=4377

http://www.monitor.co.ug/OpEd/Commentary/-/689364/1320790/-/12930xqz/-/index.html

http://www.monitor.co.ug/News/National/-/688334/1322306/-/b0u73cz/-/index.html

Thank you for your time.

Jesse Kamstra

Country Representative

Lutheran World Federation (LWF), Uganda

Djibouti – Supporting education and protection programs for refugee children

by Michael Hyden, LWF Program Officer (LWF World Service Geneva) for LWF Kenya/Djibouti program

14th February 2012

Refugee Children in Ali Addeh Camp, Djibouti © LWF/Bobby Waddell

Education and Protection Program for Refugee Children in Djibouti

I have just returned from a field visit to the LWF Kenya/Djibouti program, where LWF Djibouti program is providing much needed pre-school and primary education to 2,000 plus Somali, Ethiopian, Eritrean refugees in Ali Addeh camp. Speaking to the refugees in the LWF/UNHCR run schools, it is clear that education is one of their highest priorities for the refugee community.

The schools symbolicly sit in the middle of the camp next to the food distribution and health center run by the other agencies. Yet there is evidence on the ground that we still have a long ways to go in assisting UNHCR and the Government of Djibouti to guarantee the right to education for these refugee children and young people. The lack of high quality and protective education for refugees stands in the way of meeting Education for All goals, and of achieving one of UNHCRs objectives of durable soluations, and of sustainable development.

Existing Primary School in Ali Addeh Camp - conditions are cramped with 70-100 children per classroom © LWF/Melany Markham

The access to education for the refugees in LWF Kenya and Djibouti operations are limited and uneven across the region be it in our sister programs in Kenya in the Kakuma & Dadaab camps as well, particularly for girls and at secondary levels.

Enrollment in primary school in Ali Addeh in Djibouti is at 60-70 % and drops dramatically to 3% to secondary school which currently does not exist in the camp. The refugee education in the camp is generally of a low quality, with ineffective indicators that measure inputs rather than outcomes.

The Teacher pupil ratios in Ali Addeh are at 1:70 and, many teachers we spoke to say that they do not have even ten days of training that would categorise them as “trained” certified teachers.

This year, 2012, the LWF Staff in Djibouti are embarking on a program of “quality” and “accountablity” in the education program striving to focus on serving its protective function. Additional funding support from our related agencies Church of Sweden, Finn Church Aid, the German National Committee of the LWF, and Diakonia Katastrophenhilfe, is filling in much needed gaps to supplement the UNHCR funding which the LWF Djibouti program is currently receiving annually.

6 pre schools are being constructed in Ali Addeh camp © LWF Djibouti

Temporary pre school classrooms are being used while more permanent classrooms are constructed © LWF Djibouti

The LWF with our related agencies is therefore assisting UNHCR & UNICEF in Djibouti to meet its mandate to provide high quality and protective refugee education with both human, technical and financial resources.

Some of these activities include:

• Integation of refugees into the Kenya and Djibouti education systems,
• Investment in teacher training that cultivates high quality skills related to both pedagogy and content,
• That leads towards a basic qualification for the refugee teachers,
• And improving the conditions of the schools by building climatically friendly class rooms with the introduction of solar powered lighting and fans.

This year the program will be undertaking a feasibilty study in order to include secondary education which currently is non existent in the camp. Finally, LWF Djibouti is also engaged in income generation for the refugees in the camp.

Thank you to all our partners who support the education and protection programs for refugee children in Djibouti.

Michael Hyden

LWF Progam Officer – LWF Kenya/Djibouti program

Mauritania – 2nd Sitrep on the looming Crisis in the Sahel

Dear Partners,

Warmest greetings from Nouakchott!

LWF Mauritania, weekly update # 2

February 12, 2012

Situation Report

Drought crisis

From the Sahel crisis updates (February 9), it has been reported that 24.6% of households, from the rural areas in Mauritania, are food insecure. In Hodhs Zone where LWF/DWS is operating, scarcity of food items and increase of food prices have become evident. For instance, in Timbedra, the local market millet has increased from US$30 per 50kg sack to US$50. A 66.6% increase in food prices coupled with the low level of household income is going to negatively impact on people’s lives. It is expected that the ACT appeal MRT121 will contribute to the enhancement of food security in country, and particularly to the targeted most vulnerable people.

Malian Refugees (in Fassala) – The statistics provided on 12th February by the LWF/DWS Coordinator in charge of the Hodhs Zone  show there are 13,669 Refugees (or 3,001 households). The under 5 children are estimated at 2,486 and the pregnant women are 377.  Some 767 are not fully immunized (some not yet and others only partially vaccinated).

New Caseloads of Malian Refugees arriving in Fassala. Almost 4400 have arrived since 6th February © LWF Mauritania

As the result of the consultation between the Government and UNHCR, the Malian Refugees will be relocated from Fassala (3 km from the Malian border) to Mbeur (40 km from Fassala). For your information, Mbeur is a former Refugee camp (during the 1996 event) with some social facilities (school, health centre, etc.). It is expected that this new location will ensure more protection to the Refugees. At present, Mbeur is under rehabilitation. In the future, Fassala will be used as a transition site.

Non Food Items being distributed to newly arrived Malian Refugees in Fassala © LWF Mauritania

 Actions from LWF/DWS Mauritania

• Started conducting market monitoring
• Carried out needs assessment in Fassala
• Distributed NFIs (blankets, baby clothing, soaps, hygienic kits) to 800 vulnerable people
• Provided medical supplies to the health post
• Completed the ACT MRT 121 full appeal (under final review)
• The Country Representative and Program Coordinator will attend the Government/UN/INGOs meeting on the Country Emergency Plan (Wednesday, February 15)

Actions from other Stakeholders (including the Government and UN Agencies)

• Government provided the transportation of potable water for the Refugees
• The Ministry of Health distributed treated mosquito bed nets to pregnant women
• UNHCR distributed 15 tonnes of food (rice, oil, sugar, salt) for 15 days to 5,000 Refugees
• UNHCR has received some tents and other NFIs
• The Government/UN/INGOs will meet on Wednesday 15th February for the Country Emergency Plan (including update of EMEL/Government emergency plan, update of the humanitarian monitoring, Refugees situation, revision of the inter-agencies contingency plan, the establishment of the Country Emergency Team)

Sincerely yours,

Kasongo Mutshaila

LWF Country Representative

South Sudan – 7th Sitrep on the Conflict in Jonglei State

Dear Partners,

LWF South Sudan – Weekly Update No. 7

13 February 2012

Situation Report

Sudan and South Sudan signed a non-aggression pact on 11 February. Thabo Mbeki, the ex-president of South Africa, said both sides had agreed to respect each other’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. (BBC World)

The South Sudan Human Rights Advocacy Association (SSHRA), one of the country’s 23-member civil Society alliance on Saturday welcomed calls by Human Rights Watch (HRW) for authorities to arrest and prosecute those responsible for the ethnic violence. “To stem this horrific cycle of violence, the organizers have to be held to account,” Daniel Bekele, HRW Africa director said in a press release on Friday. Others say that disarmament, be it forced or otherwise is the solution to ending the violence caused by cattle rustling.

The Crop and Food Security Assessment Mission report released this week predicts that up to five million South Sudanese will face food shortages in 2012. This is an increase of 1.5 million compared to last year. Poor harvests, rapidly rising prices, conflict and displacement are blamed for the deteriorating situation.

Jonglei

According the the United Nations, over 140,000 conflict-affected people have been registered in need of aid in Jonglei State, with rapid inter-agency assessments largely complete and the focus shifting to aid delivery. LWF’s emergency coordinator has reported that there is an urgent need for rapid WASH assessment and intervention in Labrub town, in Pibor County.

At least 22 people were killed and 26 wounded in clashes between cattle raiders from Bor County and Pibor County on Tuesday 7 February, local officials say. According to leaders within the groups, a total of 22 people, who were mostly from the attacking groups, were killed.

Unity and Nile States

Some 100,000 refugees are estimated to be in Upper Nile and Unity states, displaced by fighting in Sudan’s Blue Nile and Southern Kordofan. At least 3,798 UN Peacekeepers have been successfully deployed to the contested region within Unity State on the borders of north and south Sudan, reported the United Nations Secretary General on the 9 February.

The Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) announced on the 11 February today that it had regained control of an area in the Blue Nile state which bordering Sudan.

LWF Response

LWF’s Emergency Coordinator, Michael Mading is going to Bor on the 13 February to further the construction of LWF’s offices there. Today an assessment is being conducted in Duk Padiet, which will determine the focus of aid over the coming weeks.

Water and Sanitation

Overall the water and sanitation resources among ACT Alliance members are overstretched, so CARE is assessing the needs of water and sanitation in Bor and Twic counties.

The WASH expert currently deployed in Warrap Lake State in Wau county has determined that four villages with a total population (host community as well as displaced people) of approximately 4683 people will be served by nine boreholes. All seven boreholes are already allocated to the four villages which will serve this population currently two more will need to be drilled.

At a meeting on the 8 February Wednesday the community agreed that they would excavate and construct one latrine for every three households. This means 150 households shall have access to the toilet facilities at the end of the project. Latrine digging tools, plastic sheets, slabs, vent pipes, were transported to Joung on 11 February and distributed on 12 February. Five people selected by the community will monitor the construction of the latrines. At the end of the construction each group shall be issued SSP 300 to supplement their livelihood. This is a pilot project which may well be replicated elsewhere.

Drilling started on Friday in Malek village where an access road has been cleared by the community. By the 12 February they shall move to other sites while the platform and pump testing team shall be working on the first borehole. Other communities in the area are still clearing access roads and these shall be third sites for drilling by Wednesday 15 February.

On Wednesday a meeting was held in the village of Amothic (pop. 2,088) and three boreholes will be drilled in this village also. Water committees are being formed to prepare the communities to care and maintain the pumps and training will commence immediately after the pumps have been installed.

Three hand pumps are also being repaired with spare parts in Alek north.

Non-Food Items (NFIs)

2500 NFI kits are at the South Sudan border awaiting clearance. Once they are cleared, 1500 will be transported to Panyagor and 1000 remain in Bor.
The 1000 fishing kits have arrived in Juba are scheduled to be distributed around Pibor over the next week. As this area is still insecure a specific timeframe for delivery cannot be predicted.

Peace Building

The Sudan Council of Churches wants to support the humanitarian efforts with a message of solidarity with the people in the areas engulfed in conflict in Jonglei for the sake of peace process.

LWF and the ACT Alliance have agreed to a representative from the Sudan Council of Churches to be part of the distribution team on the next scheduled NFI distributions.

LWF/ACT will send someone to accompany the food/NFI next week on Wednesday/Thursday to Fangak and Uror. SCC is calling a meeting with key peace partners to discuss the strategies for the next phase of engagement in the peace process “peace from the grass roots” next week.

Rev Peter Koang Gatluak, a Nuer is the Peace and Justice Coordinator for the Presbyterian Church in South Sudan and will be present during the next NFI distribution.

Arie Den Toom

LWF South Sudan Representative