South Sudan's English Daily Newspaper
"We Dare where others fear"
By Waure Eddy
In a show of solidarity, the Azande Diaspora, through the Catholic Organisation for Development and Peace (CODEP), donated essential food items to 40 households of internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Tambura County currently taking refuge in Ezo County.
This support, which reached over 320 individuals, was made possible by Azande communities living in the diaspora, including those in Canada, Europe, Australia, and America.
The distributed items included 100 kg of groundnuts, 100 kg of rice, 100 kg of maize grain, and one bag of salt.
These provisions aim to ease the burden on vulnerable groups such as widows, persons with disabilities, and elderly men and women.
Speaking during the distribution, Mr. Alex Umbagbia, CODEP’s humanitarian field officer, emphasised the importance of the support:
“We thank our Chancellor and Bishop for their connectivity with our people abroad. This food will help the most vulnerable among the IDPs affected by conflict in Tambura and other parts of Western Equatoria.”
Umbagbia also noted that while the aid is not sufficient to meet all needs, efforts are ongoing to engage more partners for continued support.
Hon. Col. Abel Sudan, Commissioner of Ezo County, praised the Azande diaspora for their compassion:
“This initiative is commendable. We’ve allocated land for IDPs to cultivate and reduce hunger. I urge beneficiaries to use the food for consumption, not for sale.”
Madelina Dainie, one of the recipients, expressed her gratitude: “This support comes at a critical time. We’ll plant some of the grains to sustain us in the future. We thank our Bishop and Commissioner for not letting us suffer alone.”
Victoria Peter echoed this sentiment: “Even though the support is small, it means a lot. May God bless our Bishop and the diaspora for remembering us.”
Louis Kamia added, “This food will help my household, and we’ll plant some for the second season. Our people have not forgotten us.”
Eliviria Dario Wotirondi said that they have suffered during the Tambura conflict, but this support brings hope.
“We’re grateful to everyone who made it possible.”
The Catholic Diocese of Tambura-Yambio reaffirmed its commitment to continue seeking support for IDPs across Western Equatoria State and South Sudan, ensuring that displaced families are not left behind in their journey toward recovery and dignity.
