A South Sudanese church leader says that he is spending “sleepless” nights worrying over about 100 orphans trapped in Morobo amid insecurity in the area. He is warning fighters not to harm the children.
Insecurity in Morobo area has caused many locals to flee to Uganda and Congo but more than 100 are orphans trapped in Rock the Desert Orphanage. Another group of several hundred are trapped in Yei and have been prevented by authorities for leaving for Uganda.
Rock the Desert orphanage is operated by the Evangelical Presbyterian Church, which also supports orphanage centres in Yei and Terekeka counties of Central Equatoria State run by partners of the church.
Elias Taban, the bishop of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Sudan, says the teachers at the orphanage are committed to staying with the orphans in Morobo County. He says the facility is the only institution providing educational services to learners in the area while all the rest of the basic and secondary schools have been closed down over fears of insecurity.
Bishop Elias urges both sides to respect and protect the vulnerable children and open up ways for dialogue to bring lasting peace to the country: “Orphans are a result of war and for those who are exchanging fight in the area, they should respect the orphanage and if you turn your guns against the orphans, then automatically you are fighting God.”
He said the orphans were provided three months food rations through the EPC relief food assistance.
“Actually I have sleepless nights. And if there would be any way possible that I can make even on foot I am ready to go to Morobo and be able to sit with those children there. They are our heartbeat right now. And if there is anything that is bothering us right now it’s the children in Morobo.”
The bishop added, “We are praying that this week God opens the road between Yei and Morobo so that if possible we relocate them to Yei.”
Related coverage:
Yei bishop cancels USA visit over insecurity in home area (September 2016)
Yei bishop warns against ethnic killings (August 2016)
Bishop says Yei schools will never expel non-Equatorian pupils (July 2014)