Thanks to Rowan for this latest news from Oxfam. Ed
Oxfam has just launched a new campaign in its Island shops to raise urgently needed funds for South Sudan, where a major crisis is rapidly unfolding due to fresh fighting in a region already left devasted by years of conflict. More than a million people have been forced from their homes and they desperately need water, food, and protection from the ongoing violence.
Rowan Baylis, Manager of Oxfam’s Books & Music shop in St. Thomas Square, Newport commented:
“Oxfam teams are already working flat out in South Sudan and have helped about 180,000 people so far, but fresh funds are desperately needed because of the scale of the potential catastrophe. For instance, more than 200,000 children are already suffering acute malnutrition, and an estimated 7 million people – that’s well over half of the population – face not having enough to eat in the months ahead.”
How Oxfam is helping
Oxfam is working with the World Food Programme to distribute food and fuel-efficient stoves to people who have lost everything, along with vouchers for to buy charcoal so that they can cook the food they have received. Oxfam is also providing safe and clean water to thousands of people across South Sudan, as well as supporting the thousands of refugees who have fled to neighbouring countries – 63,000 in Uganda alone.
Rowan went on to add,
“People here on the Island never cease to amaze me with their generosity in helping others, despite times remaining tough at home. Of course, the beginning of an urgent new appeal sadly doesn’t mean the end of a need elsewhere. Just look at Syria, where Oxfam’s UK donors have raised over £840,000 already – that’s back in the headlines with no end in sight after 3 years of fighting.
“If people on the Island still wish to donate specifically to help the victims of the crisis in Syria, please, just ask at the till in either the Books & Music or Standard shops and we’ll ensure the money is earmarked for the Disasters & Emergency Committee Syria campaign.”
For further details of Oxfam’s work in South Sudan and elsewhere, please visit the Oxfam Website.
Image: © Anita Kattakhuzy
