Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Rome (Agenzia Fides) – Figures in Darfur and southern Sudan are dramatic: decades of civil war, nine out of ten people living on less than a dollar a day, 300,000 people killed, 2.7 uprooted from their homes, 290.000 more refugees in 2008 alone, the world's highest maternal mortality rate, with 2,030 dead mothers every 100,000 births, 16% malnourished. People denied access to clean water, basic medical care, vital minimum food. Now considered a permanent humanitarian crisis, Caritas Internationalis organised in Rome and International Forum internazionale to find ulterior paths for reconciliation, peace and above all aid. “It is most urgent – said Lesley-Anne Knight, Secretary General –to work together, Caritas, NGOs, international associations, institutions, to rebuild confidence and an operative attitude among the people. Unity is fundamental, because it gives strength.”
Caritas, in Sudan, works in the emergency to improve assistance and promote development. It supplies 297.000 people with food, shelter, clean water, medicine and medical care, support for education and counselling. “We need leaders who live and bring into their political decisions values such as respect for human dignity, human rights and the environment” – said the Secretary General. The numerous guests came mainly from the region affected by the tragedy. “We need help for the most elementary and basic things– said Bishop Daniel Adwok Marco Kur, auxiliary of Khartoum – especially since 16 humanitarian organisations were expelled ”. Mgr Antonio Menegazzo, missionary in Sudan since 1957 and Bishop of di El Obeid, which includes Darfur, spoke of the difficulties encountered in living the Christian faith and helping refugees: “We help through international organisations which operate in refugee camps as part of international agreements, but not all the refugees are there. Many seek hospitality with friends and family; so only we and the associations can operate to a certain extent more freely and with less bureaucracy.” (M.T.) (Agenzia Fides 24/6/2009; righe 35, parole 468)
