A coalition of 28 Canadian non-governmental organizations operating in Ethiopia, including the Canadian Foodgrains Bank, is calling on the Canadian government to increase aid South Sudan.
The coalition, called the Canadian Network of NGOs in Ethiopia (CANGO), said the large number of people displaced by the conflict, the historical role Canada has played in responding to needs in the region, and the readiness of Canadian NGOs to scale up their operations means Canada is well-situated to respond to the suffering in South Sudan.
“While we recognize the constraints caused by a global surge of refugees and internally displaced people in other conflicts, a more substantial response by the Canadian government is desperately needed,” stated CANGO in a letter to the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development Canada.
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Since violence broke out last December, more than 1.3 million South Sudanese have been displaced, and at least 341,000 have sought refuge in neighbouring countries.
“Ongoing fighting and washed out roads from heavy rains are pushing the country into a hunger crisis,” Foodgrains Bank executive director Jim Cornelius said in a news release.
Noting that many South Sudanese depend on farming for survival, he added that the conflict has meant many people have been unable to plant crops, a situation that will worsen the crisis over coming months.
The Foodgrains Bank, through its members, is responding to the crisis. Canadians can help by going to foodgrainsbank.ca/south_sudan_crisis_appeal.aspx.
Numerous other international and Canadian relief agencies are delivering aid programs in the region.
