Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, Appeals for Assistance Upon the Church Personnel Fleeing Sudan
As the violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) worsens, Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum has appealed for assistance upon the people fleeing from Sudan, especially the church personnel who are currently in the borders of South Sudan, Paloch, Renk and Jodan
Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum, Appeals for Assistance Upon the Church Personnel Fleeing Sudan
By Sr. Henriette Anne FSSA
As the violent conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) worsens, Bishop Daniel Adwok, the Auxiliary Bishop of Khartoum has appealed for assistance upon the people fleeing from Sudan, especially the church personnel who are currently in the borders of South Sudan, Paloch, Renk and Jodan.
“I am more concerned about the Church personnel heading to the border of South Sudan, priests, and religious sisters. Quite a number of them are entering Kosti and Renk and need to be assisted”.
Addressing the Sudan and South Sudan Bishops Conference he added, “I believe the Secretariat of Bishops can assist in handling the situation in coordination with the priests in Renk especially. The planes airlifted people from Paloch to Juba. Some effort could be made by the Secretariat staff to see that the sisters especially could be airlifted from Paloch to Juba and in Juba appeals could be made to the religious houses to host those sisters and priests until they plan their further destinations.
In a message addressed to the Chairman and all the members of Sudan and South Sudan Conference of Bishops by Bishop Daniel concerning the situation stated that “as you well know your Excellency, during the past four weeks, Sudan has been in conflict between the ruling regime and the RDF militia. Many people have fled the country (Sudan), some by air, land, and sea. Among them are also Church personnel. Others are still finding their way out. Among the main exit ports that are now still functioning are, the Egyptian border and the border with South Sudan via Joda and Renk. Joda, Renk, and Paloch towns are now congested with people fleeing from the conflict coming from all directions of Sudan, not only Southern Sudanese but also people of other nationalities.
According to the message shared on Friday, May 5, 2023, Bishop Daniel said that the crisis is going beyond their capacity and called upon their partners, the CARITAS Confederation and other charities to assist them.
He further revealed that “the Present moment it appears that, there is no one single organization having the capacity to handle the emergency response needed for the people fleeing the conflict in Sudan. There is a need to sound an alarm bell”.
“In Renk, there is Fr. Akile +211 912503333 who can be the contact person for the Secretariat in Juba. There are also people in Paloch who could be of help through Fr. Akile”. He noted.
“In Juba, I think there are people who could also assist especially connected with the flights. I think we can try to do something”, he appealed.
He, therefore, called upon the Lord to enlighten them to respond to the needs of their people, especially the Church Personnel.
