Brian McAfee
2838 Mason Blvd.
Muskegon Hts., Michigan USA 49444
(231) 737-8726
brimac6@hotmail.com
South Sudan's Most Vulnerable Face Hard Struggles In World's Youngest Country
by Brian McAfee
Latest reports now indicate that about 34,000 South Sudanese civilians have sought refuge in United Nations missions in Juba and Bor. South Sudan, having only recently come into existence as an independent nation, July 9, 2011, has a population of 11,367,276 (worldpopulationreview.org). Since fighting broke out on December 15 about 500 thought to be killed and about 800 wounded. It began when former vice president Riek Machar, who had been fired from his position this past July, Machar's attacks against the South Sudan military and President Salva Kiir's responses appear to have primarily only resulted in tens of thousands of the civilian population left in desperate situations, many homeless with injuries and possibly thousands of orphans.
One of the more alarming attacks was the one that occurred on Dec. 20 in which 20 Dinka (a native ethnic group) were killed in an attack on a UN compound where the Dinka were being sheltered from just such attacks. Despite this singular case the UN and UN peacekeepers are and will be an indispensable element for a safe and secure South Sudan.
Some demographics, 82% of SS is Christian, 18 Islamic. Primary natural resources, copper, chromium ore, zinc, mica, silver, gold and diamonds. One problem area (in which South Sudan is definitely not alone) is access to drinkable water.
While it seems about half the population do have relatively easy access to water many, too many do not. This is a fundamental rights issue that people should bear in mind for everyone.
I urge and appreciate any cocideration of people donating- I of course suggest the UN, especially UNICEF and also OXFAM, they have been working in both Sudan and South Sudan (as long as SS has existed).
If you have any thoughts or comments write me at: brimac6@hotmail.com
Note: Here some additional articles for background information (ALM):
South Sudan became an independent
state on 9 July 2011,
"MINERAL OCCURRENCES AND
EXPLORATION WORK DONE IN SOUTH SUDAN. • There are a vast number of
metallic minerals spread all over the South Sudan: gold, copper,
zinc, lead, manganese, iron, silver, tin, etc. • Also industrial
minerals exist: marble, limestone, dolomite, kaolin, clay, asbestos,
etc. • Apart from gold at Kapoeta and Luri; copper at Hofrat
Ennahas, bauxite/iron ore at Wau area and marble at Kapoeta..."
