Relief Programs
Providing Relief To Children, IDPs and Refugees in South Sudan.
On July 9th 2011, South Sudan gained independence from Sudan, after its citizens voted for independence in a 2011 referendum. The referendum was the result of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) between northern and southern Sudan that ended Africa’s longest-running civil war. During the decades of war, at least 1.5 million people are thought to have lost their lives, and more than 4 million were displaced, with large numbers of South Sudanese fleeing to the north or to neighboring countries.
Despite potential oil wealth, and a wave of economic revival and infrastructural investment, South Sudan is one of Africa’s least developed countries. Efforts to transform South Sudan into a functional State have been beset by inter-communal violence, rebellion by militia groups and localized conflicts over land and natural resources. The mass arrival of returnees from Sudan and elsewhere in Africa has added to the pressure.
Between August 7th-11th 2013, the IOF conducted a fact-finding mission to Juba, South Sudan in collaboration with a local organization- The Desert Streams Partners International (DESPI).
Major concerns were identified during the mission include:
- Increasing rates of prostitution in the Juba region
- High levels of illiteracy especially amongst the youth; and
- Inadequate food supply for refugees and IDPs in camps
As part of the foundation’s short-term engagement in South Soudan, IOF has organized relief for approximately 100 children, refugees and internally displaced persons that were visited during the fact-finding mission. The IOF is also currently preparing for long-term engagement in South Sudan.
Providing Relief to 150 IDPs in Borno State, Nigeria
In the past few years, violence linked to an Islamist militant organization, Boko Haram, has led to the death and internal displacement of thousands of Nigerians in the North Eastern region of Nigeria.
Between the 26th-28th of September 2013, IOF supported a Needs Assessment in an IDP camp in Gwoza to ascertain the level of support to be provided by the Foundation. A lack of basic survival materials such as shelter, clothing, food and toiletries was noted during the assessment.
On the 11th of December 2013, the foundation embarked on a relief visit to provide assistance to 150 refugees. Relief materials such as food, power generators, flashlights, and first aid kits were provided to the IDP camp visited in Gwoza.