Gangura Catholic Parish Seeks Aid After Devastating Fire
Gangura Catholic Parish Seeks Aid After Devastating Fire
By Sr. Henriette Anne, FSSA
Central Gangura Payam of Yambio County is one of the places where tragedy struck following the recent outbreak of wildfire in Western Equatoria State. Fr. Ezekiel Sungerukuari the Parish Priest of Gangura Parish appealed to all well-wishers and people of goodwill to urgently act and assist them.
“On my behalf and behalf of the Fire Victims of Thursday 22nd February 2024, I Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Sungerukuari James the Parish Priest of Gangura Catholic Parish call your attention to the above-mentioned recent fire accident at Gangura Payam in Yambio County”.
In his letter shared with the Rurugene Online Newsletter and addressed government authorities, Church-related humanitarian sectors, NGOs, and CBOs, Rev. Fr. Ezekiel Sungerukuari James urgently appealed for assistance. The letter outlined the extensive damages caused by the fire, affecting approximately 40-50 households and an estimated 286-300 individuals. The destruction ranged from homes and food storage to domestic animals, school materials, and even fields of cassava.
“The estimated number of individuals is about 286-300 both male and female directly affected. With this document on the recent destruction of homes and properties within the Catholic Parish Gangura, I do hereby urge and appeal to the Yambio County Authorities and state authorities, Church related Humanitarian sectors, NGOs, and CBOs to come to carry out an assessment on the ground and from the victims as soon as possible aiming at rescuing the community accordingly”.
On his 24th February letter, the victims are now faced with a devastating fire that swept through the central Gangura Payam. While no physical casualties have been reported, the community is grappling with the profound impact of the incident on their lives and well-being.
“There is no reported case of physical human death yet. However, the physiologically, socio-economically, and spiritually stressed, depressed, and finally traumatized can lead to physical death if not handled with care and charity in action”.
