Catholic priest transforms church into refugee sanctuary, as World Vision scales up support for South Sudan

A Catholic priest in the South Sudanese capital of Juba, has turned his church into a place of sanctuary for thousands of hungry and war-weary people.

India-born Fr David Tulimelli, a Salesian missionary has joined hands with the international aid agency, World Vision to provide food for people facing starvation. This week, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) warned that over 4 million people now face severe hunger in South Sudan due to fighting between government troops and opposition fighters across the country.

A boy in an IDP camp

Fr Tulimelli, said: “Last year we supported around 4,000 people at the Don Bosco compound. But when food supplies ran out for two months and we were hit by Cholera, thirty-seven people died. I’m worried that this could happen again.

“So now I go to everyone I can to ask for help to support this stranded community. Together with World Vision we help feed the most vulnerable. The church provides 8,000 IDPs (internally displaced people) with basic rations, while World Vision gives supplementary food to treat malnourished children,” the priest explained.

Prior to the July 2016 violence in Juba, the global food security authority known as the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) had estimated that over 4.8 million South Sudanese faced severe food shortages. After July, food became even scarcer and thousands more fled to Father Tulimelli’s compound in search of food and safety.

Jeremiah Young, World Vision South Sudan Policy and Peace-building Advisor, believes there is high likelihood the situation will deteriorate.

He said: “We cannot ignore the fact that parts of the country are on the brink of famine. World Vision research shows that the failure to provide necessary interventions required to both strengthen capacity to withstand shocks and stresses while also providing life saving assistance will likely result in millions more experiencing the highest levels of food insecurity ever recorded in South Sudan.

“If this happens, previous aid and investment will have been wasted. Donors and politicians need to act now to help children caught up in this conflict,” Young warned.

Currently, the number of displaced South Sudanese stands at approximately 2.2 million people.

henry.makiwa@worldvision.org.uk

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