Mary’s Meals has launched an emergency campaign calling for help to reach desperately hungry children caught up in the worsening crisis in war-torn South Sudan.
The fighting is forcing families from their homes, schools are being destroyed and 6.3 million people are facing a hunger crisis.
As the lean season between harvests approaches, this figure is expected to rise and more than seven million people – almost two thirds of the population – could soon be at risk.
Today, we launch an urgent campaign calling for support as the crisis in #SouthSudan deepens. Our founder Magnus explains why desperately hungry children need your support now more than ever. Donate today: https://t.co/JAfQ1KUIrw pic.twitter.com/Kawv45wvEk
— Mary’s Meals (@MarysMeals) June 6, 2018
The Highland-based charity Mary’s Meals has been present in South Sudan since 2008 and is already reaching 20,520 vulnerable children in the country with life-saving daily school meals.
Now more hungry children are turning to Mary’s Meals for help as rising numbers of families arrive in the Lakes state.
During this time of crisis in South Sudan, the daily meal Mary’s Meals provides is not just a powerful incentive to come to school, but it is also a vital lifeline for vulnerable children in need of nourishment.
Moses Kopurot Kenyi, education coordinator for the Diocese of Rumbek, said: “It’s a terrible situation. There is a lot of hunger and people are just eating leaves from trees.
“Mary’s Meals’ feeding programme is helping us a lot. For these children, there is no other source of food.
“Education is really important for helping to build peace. Without education, the situation will never change and.the division and anger will still be there. We have hope that this will be the generation that will bring an ever-lasting peace in South Sudan.”
Discover how daily school meals are bringing hope to a generation: https://t.co/QaqLMXClO0 pic.twitter.com/vcnCPWSrI3
— Mary’s Meals (@MarysMeals) June 5, 2018
As the charity launches its Crisis In South Sudan appeal, Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow, global chief executive and founder of Mary’s Meals, said: “The plight of children in South Sudan is truly heartbreaking.
“We are determined to keep our promise to the 1,257,278 children around the world who rely on Mary’s Meals. With more hungry children arriving at schools in South Sudan each day, we also need help to meet the growing demand there.
“We hope to ensure that every new child enrolling at schools in South Sudan already serving Mary’s Meals can receive a daily meal and, as funds allow, also expand our programme to reach 1,657 additional children at five new schools there. We can do this with support, while continuing to expand our programme around the world to reach many more children.
