South Sudan declares independence
Photo: AP
IsraAID: The Israel Forum for International Humanitarian Aid,
in partnership with Operation Blessing and the government of Sudan, and supported by UJA Federation of Greater Toronto, the American Jewish Committee and local agencies on the ground, will be sending a humanitarian aid cargo, including vital foods and medicines, to assist the people of South Sudan on behalf of the Israeli and Jewish people.
South Sudan, which became a nation
on Saturday, has already been recognized by the government of Israel.
Relations between Israel and South Sudan, with its large Christian population, are expected to be very warm.
Independence
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The situation in South Sudan is harsh. Illiteracy reaches nearly 90%, there is little or no infrastructure in the country, and most of its residents have no access to basic clean water. In recent months over 117,000 people were displaced and almost 1,400 killed following the conflict between the South and the North.
In addition to the initial aid shipment, the IsraAID teams have already begun assessing longer term needs on the ground for a more extensive aid mission that would benefit children, women and the elderly.
“As a small and relatively newborn country Israel has gained experience in various specialties, such as water, agriculture, post traumatic stress syndrome, education, migration and others that would be valuable to the people of South Sudan who are now building their country. It is our mission, consistent with Jewish values, to reach out to our new friends in any way we can,” said Shachar Zahavi, founding director of IsraAID.
Reprinted with permission from Shalom Life
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