World Vision hopes for peaceful transition in Sudan
Organisation urges North and South Sudan to resolve differences ahead of 9th July independence
With one month to go before South Sudan becomes the world’s newest independent nation, World Vision is hopeful that military clashes that have forced thousands of people to flee can be brought to an end to avert a larger humanitarian crisis.
More than 70,000 people have been displaced in the Abyei region following heavy fighting between the North’s Sudan Armed Forces and Sudan People’s Liberation Army of the South.
Clashes have included attacks on United Nations (UN) peacekeepers, and the UN is calling on all sides to allow humanitarian aid to reach the area.
The fighting comes six months after a referendum held in January, in which the people of South Sudan overwhelmingly voted for independence, which will become a reality on 9 July 2011.
Concern for children
World Vision’s Justin Byworth, said: “World Vision’s concern is for the children and families displaced by this ongoing conflict.
"We are working with other agencies on the ground to distribute essential aid, and our hope is that fighting ceases and we can reach more children and families as soon as possible.”
World Vision has been asked by the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA) to coordinate humanitarian efforts in the Warrup region, which is located just south of Abyei.
World Vision South Sudan is working with other humanitarian agencies to distribute non-food items, such as mosquito nets, plastic sheets and blankets in the town of Kuajok, where thousands of displaced people from the Abyei region have arrived with virtually no possessions.
"Traumatic impact"
Edwin Asante, Programme Director for World Vision South Sudan, said: "We are concerned about the safety of civilians, especially children, who become extremely vulnerable during displacement.
"Violence and displacement will have a traumatic impact on these children, some of whom may have been separated from their families."
World Vision has operated in North Sudan since 1983 and in South Sudan since 1989 and operates a number of relief, recovery and development programmes that seek to promote peace and reconciliation in Sudan, while improving the lives of children and their families.