Andrew Kaufa, smm
The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) has issued a pastoral statement on Covid-19, announcing the formation of an ecumenical taskforce with the purpose of “complementing the efforts of the National High-level Taskforce on Covid-19 and other stakeholders in addressing the global pandemic.”
This development comes amidst concern about the threat the pandemic if its spread is not controlled and noting that the pandemic has the potential to derail the progress of the peace process and undermine the stability of the nation.
In the statement, the church leaders appeal to the people of South Sudan to observe the public health measures, guidelines and directives put forward by the government and World Health Organization (WHO).
Issued on Wednesday May 13, 2020 the statement bears signatures of the leaders of the ecumenical association which includes the chairman of SSCC Bishop Arkanjelo Wanilemi and his deputy Rt. Rev. James Par Tap Hon his deputy, the Catholic Archbishop of Juba Most Rev. Stephen Ameyu Martin Mulla, the primate of Episcopal Church of South Sudan Most Rev. Justin Badi Arama, the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of South Sudan Rt. Rev. Peter Gai Lual Marrow, the General Overseer of South Sudan Pentecostal Church Bishop Dr Isaiah Majok Dau and of the Area Regional leader of African Inland Church Bishop William Muzee Weresen.
The Church leaders express appreciation of the “the quick action by the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (RTGoNU) to form the High-level Taskforce on Covid-19 to lead sustained national response and intervention on prevention of this pandemic.”
They also appreciate the role played by donors, international and local partners in supporting the efforts of the government to address the challenge.
However, announcing the formation of SSCC taskforce on Covid-19, the Church leaders call upon the people of South Sudan to adhere to the direction and guidelines given by the authorities, reminding the citizens that the country “is just emerging from a devastating civil war that almost tore us apart.”
The church leaders also call upon all religious networks, media houses and civil society organizations to educate the people in both urban and rural areas and “let them know that the solution is with them.”
Encouraging the government to set aside as much resources as possible to effectively facilitate and overall robust response to the Covid-19 pandemic in the country, the ecumenical association also appeals to donor partners to continue supporting the world’s youngest nation.
“You have always stood with the people of South Sudan. You held our hands during our most trying moments. We plead with you to continue supporting us, more specifically in regard to preventing the spread and managing the trauma and impact of Covid-19,” reads part of the statement.
According to latest United Nations report, despite the high number of internally displace people, South Sudan has relatively been unscathed by the pandemic but the number of people diagnosed positive is increasing day by day. The first death related to Covid-19 was reported on May 13, 2020.