South Sudan Facing a Growing Humanitarian Crisis

TORONTO, May 27, 2014 /CNW/ - The United Church of Canada is sounding an alarm about the growing humanitarian crisis in South Sudan. With international attention focused on other conflicts, such as those in Syria, Ukraine, and Nigeria, the church is particularly concerned that deteriorating conditions in South Sudan are being inadequately reported in the media and relief needs are seriously underfunded.

"Undoubtedly the needs are great in many places, but at the moment South Sudan doesn't seem to be on the world's radar screen," says Gary Kenny, the United Church's program coordinator for Emergency Response and International Development.

In response to relief agencies' reports of overwhelming needs that are going unmet in South Sudan, the United Church has launched an emergency financial appeal to its membership.

Kenny says that the number of South Sudanese who have been killed is not yet clear, but it is known that some are buried in mass graves. Over 1.2 million people are internally displaced or have fled to neighbouring countries. This movement is severely taxing the resources in refugee camps in Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

Full text news release available at:
http://www.united-church.ca/communications/news/releases/140527

How to Give: http://www.united-church.ca/south-sudan

YouTube video appeal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MoSi6bG-CNE

SOURCE: United Church of Canada

Mary-Frances Denis, The United Church of Canada, Tel: [phone] ext. 2016, Cell: 416-400-7273, E-mail: [email protected]