ICC Note: The Anglican Alliance in South Sudan is working to help the hundreds of people suffering from the recent outbreak of violence in the country that could amount to civil war. The conflict has led to the internal displacement of 14,400 South Sudanese people, including women and children. One thousand of these IDPs are taking refuge in the Anglican cathedral of Juba, South Sudan’s capital. Migrants are afraid to return to their homes because they fear that the present ceasfire will not last; many of their homes have already been destroyed in the violence, leaving them destitute and homeless. This recent outbreak of violence is the latest in the long string conflict the country has faced since its secession from Sudan in 2011. In particular, Christians in the Nuba Mountains region in the northern part of South Sudan find themselves wedged between this brutal internal conflict and persecution from Sudan, including continuous bombing raids and church burnings.

07/23/2016, Juba, South Sudan (Christian Today) – Up to 1,000 families sought sanctuary in the Anglican cathedral in the South Sudan capitol of Juba as the country continues its descent into violence and bloodshed.

The Anglican Alliance, which supports the Anglican response to emergencies throughout the worldwide Anglican Communion, is helping to co-ordinate the response and is working with the local church.

The Sudanese Development and Relief Agency, a body of the local church, has pleaded for aid to help feed the 14,400 internally displaced people, many of them children, women and elderly people in Juba, Kajokeji, Yei, Lainya, and Rajaf. Many have sought refuge in other churches besides the cathedral.

Many are also afraid to go back home because they fear the ceasefire will not hold. Those who have gone back have often found their homes looted and destroyed. Nearly 300 people died in the latest clashes.

Markets have also been looted, so food shortages are likely soon.

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