Crisis
Support from Sligo can help Trócaire reach 1m people in
The aid agency, Christian Aid Ireland, has launched an appeal to help people caught in the South Sudan famine and has asked Sligo people for support.
The famine, the world’s first since 2011, was formally announced in parts of Unity State, where some 100,000 people are facing starvation. A further 1 million are classified as being on the brink of famine.
Without immediate action, the crisis will continue to claim lives.
Claire Devlin from Christian Aid Ireland recently visited Bahr el Ghazal in South Sudan, a region affected by conflict and severe food shortages.
She said: “After more than three years of conflict and insecurity, we have seen communities stretched to breaking point. The economy has collapsed, malnutrition has soared and hunger has taken a firm hold. Some 3.4 million women, men and children are displaced from their homes.
“I have witnessed first- hand the incredible resilience of South Sudanese people in the face of so many crises. However, many people have now exhausted their coping mechanisms. As a result, tens of thousands could die of starvation, and millions do not know where their next meal is coming from.
“This crisis is the result of over three years of conflict in the world’s newest nation. Although steps towards peace are finally being taken, violence and instability continue amidst severe humanitarian needs.
“Christian Aid has been providing aid to families displaced or affected by ongoing violence in Unity State for some time. We are ready to intensify our emergency response in South Sudan and are asking the kind people of Sligo for support for our emergency appeal. We would be extremely grateful for any donations to help famine- stricken communities at this time of great need.”
To support Christian Aid Ireland’s emergency appeal visit christianaid. ie or call 01 4967040.
Support from Sligo will help Trócaire reach one million people in crisis this year
Last year people throughout Sligo helped to raise € 196,456 to support Trócaire’s annual Lenten campaign through the Dioceses of Achonry, Elphin and Tuam allowing the charity to support hundreds of thousands of people living in devastating poverty.
Ash Wednesday marked the start of this year’s Lenten Campaign with almost one million Trócaire boxes being delivered across Ireland.
According to Eamonn Meehan, Executive Director of Trócaire “As well as helping people to lift themselves out of poverty, Trócaire also provides life- saving aid to people when disaster strikes. This year, with your support, we will provide emergency aid to almost one million people facing floods, storms, droughts and other disasters.
“On the Trócaire box this year people will see Miriam and her six- year- old daughter Maria. They live on the north coast of Honduras, which is the area of the world most affected by climate disasters. Thanks to our loyal supporters across Ireland, we have trained people in the village on how to evacuate safely.
“We have dug a canal that allows Miriam, Maria and the rest of her community to escape the flooding. When the storms come, we provide them with the aid they need to survive and rebuild. We can’t stop the storms from coming but we can help to ensure that people in the village are safe when they do come.”
Trócaire is working in over twenty countries across the developing world. In recent weeks the UN declared a famine in areas of South Sudan and the situations is predicted to get worse according to Trócaire.
“Approximately 5 million people will need emergency food aid over the coming months” according to Eamonn Meehan. “People are living on berries and leaves in South Sudan and things are getting worse. Right now 100,000 people are in famine and do not have enough food for the day let alone tomorrow or next month.”
The conflict in South Sudan, has been ongoing since the country gained independence in 2011. Years of war has forced 2 million people from their homes to neighbouring counties. People have no source of income or means to get food. Drought and crop failure have compounded people’s vulnerability. As a result millions of people are dangerously close to starvation.
“The number of people affected by humanitarian disasters such as floods, drought and conflict has doubled in the last decade” said Eamonn Meehan. “Extreme weather and conflict are hitting the poorest hardest. With your support, we are there to provide life- saving aid and we hope to reach one million people facing crisis this year thanks to our supporters across the island of Ireland.”
Trócaire boxes are available from parishes throughout Sligo, through trocaire. org or by phoning 1850 408 408. People can also download a free Trócaire box app for their mobile phones or tablets.