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Catholic Entity in South Sudan Appeals for Support for Internally Displaced Persons

Simon Banzenze. Credit: Courtesy Photo

Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) fleeing violence in South Sudan’s Western Equatoria State need more assistance, an official of the Compassionate and Humanity Organization (CHO) of the Catholic Diocese of Tombura-Yambio has said. 

In an interview with ACI African on Tueday, May 10, Simon Banzenze who heads the administration and finance department at CHO said that IDPs are vulnerable and need humanitarian support to survive.

“We call upon partners to continue supporting us so that we can be able to support people with disabilities, orphans, and IDPs but we are not able to do it,” Mr. Banzenze said, adding that if “we have partners with resources, let them help us.”

The CHO official further said that there is need for “food and non-food items” for the IDPs in Western Equatoria State. 

“They also need tools because some of them lobbied around for some land and they got it,” Mr. Banzenze said in reference to IDPs in Western Equatoria State, and added, “They are requesting seeds and some tools where they can establish themselves and also some start up kits.”

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The CHO official said the situation of IDPs in Western Equatoria is very critical “because when you are out of your place and you lost everything, like one of the beneficiaries that we have had lost all the family members, the situation is horrible and needs support.”

Last month, CHO initiated a monthly program to provide ready-made food to impaired and neglected elderly persons in Yambio town, Eye radio reported

The initiative targeted nearly a hundred persons from vulnerable families.

In the May 10 interview with ACI Africa, Mr. Banzenze said CHO is trying to “lobby around for partners by writing proposals. If they succeed, we will continue supporting the IDPs.” 

He acknowledged the fact that some IDPs have “returned home but many are still afraid of the situation and are still sheltering in Yambio.” 

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The CHO official further said, “Some might not even go back because of their deplorable situation.” 

“I would like to call upon the IDPs to be patient and put God ahead in all the situations they are going through,” he said, and added, “We are trying our best because we feel the challenges they go through.”

Patrick Juma Wani is a South Sudanese journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. Patrick holds a Diploma in Journalism and Mass Communication from Makerere Institute for Social Development (MISD) in Uganda. He has over 7 years of extensive experience in leading the development and implementation of media, advocacy, communication and multimedia strategy and operations, with an excellent track record of editorial leadership, budget management, and stakeholder outreach. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.