The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in Yei River State is supplying food assistance amid hunger caused by fighting, church leaders told Radio Tamazuj.
Bishop Elias Taban said that the food relief will target vulnerable orphans, widows, women and children in Yei and Morobo counties.
The church “has a program of bringing in food to our orphanage centers but with the current food crisis, we have increased our food volumes from one truck to three trucks to rescue vulnerable people,” Taban said.
Clashes between government and opposition forces in Yei has made it difficult for both farmers to access markets, and humanitarian partners to deliver food to people who are trapped in Yei. Taban added that since the outbreak of the crisis in the area, churches in Yei have launched a joint humanitarian assistance for the people of Yei, but it has not had a major effect.
“Our appeal is hitting a rock and we don’t get any food as people continue to suffer,” he said.
The religious leader called on humanitarian organizations like the United Nations to reinforce the effort.