Supporting Sudanese Refugees in Ethiopia
Anglicord’s Target: $5,000
Tens of thousands of refugees are fleeing into Ethiopia from South Sudan as violence in that region continues. Many people in the Blue Nile State and South Kordofan have fled across the border from fear of a ground offensive by the Sudanese Armed Forces.
The UNHCR estimates that about 20,000 refugees have been registered in Ethiopia and that the number is expected to rise in 2012 to an estimate of 30,000 new arrivals.
Many people left their homes in a panic, as fighting escalated in the middle of the night. Most refugees left their properties, businesses and homes in shock, and they arrived along the border with only few assets. Some refugees are reported to have gone back to collect the harvest from their farms before returning to the reception camps, but others were too traumatized to even attempt to go back. As a result, the refugees are in need of not only basic humanitarian services but also livelihood assistance to supplement the food available to them.
Anglicord, in partnership with the ACT Alliance, is raising an appeal to help provide water trucking, toilet facilities and waste pits, and environmentally friendly stoves. In the longer term, the appeal will help fund a borehole to provide a permanent water supply, as well as encouraging backyard gardening to supplement the refugees’ income. Refugees are keen to be productive to supplement their subsistent diet with home grown tubers and fruits.
“The Sudanese people have suffered for two decades fighting the war of independence,” says Rebecca Larsson, Deputy Secretary General of the ACT Alliance. “In addition to this has been violence within ethnic groups, and [then] the cattle rustlers. The Sudanese refugees are people denied peace and development. Their self-esteem and self-reliance are damaged... The communities’ ability to live full life with dignity is destroyed. [The] recent attack was launched in the Blue Nile State, at a time when they were about to breathe a sigh of relief. Consequently, they are back to losing their property, their assets and most of all the hope to engage in peaceful pursuit of the lives.”
You can help shore up the resilience of this community, however, by supporting these refugees to get back their strength to tackle life all over again.
ACT is an alliance of 125 churches and related organisations that work together in humanitarian assistance, advocacy and development.
Funds raised in excess of the needs of this appeal may be used for other similar projects.
Anglicord is a signatory to the ACFID Code of Conduct.