CWS Appeal: Southern Sudan Returnees
Source: Church World Service-USA
Website: http://www.churchworldservice.org
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December 7, 2006
The population of Juba, in southern Sudan, is growing at unprecedented rates as a result of the large numbers of returnees either settling or migrating through Juba following a 21-year civil war. The war was settled through a comprehensive peace agreement in 2005. Juba is considered a way station for almost all returnees moving from southern to northern Sudan and also remains a final destination for some.
The existing infrastructure of the area, particularly in two underserved payams, or regions, of the municipalities Munuki and Kator, is either non-existent or in a dilapidated state. As a result, the affected areas are marked by increases of waterborne illnesses, as well as health care services being stretched beyond capacity. Schools are only able to serve less than half the existing school age population.
CWS RESPONSE: CWS is responding through support of a key partner in Sudan, Churches Ecumenical Action in Sudan (CEAS), an ecumenical consortium made up of three international Christian networks (Caritas Internationalis, Lutheran World Federation and the World Council of Churches) and the two Sudanese church councils (the Sudan Council of Churches and the New Sudan Council of Churches).
CEAS is planning humanitarian interventions in the payams that include efforts focused on water/sanitation, education and health sectors, assisting some 66,000 persons -- specifically residents, internally displaced persons (IDPs) and returnees living in Munuki and Kator in Juba.
Media Contacts:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676; lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin (24/7), 781-925-1526; jdragin@gis.net
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