Threat of Hunger in Torit Becoming Deadlier and More Alarming

Yesterday evening I received the following update from Bishop Akio Johson of Torit on the growing deadly threat of hunger in the diocese. In the email message that accompanied the statement he said that some women are so desperate they feel compelled to turn to prostitution in order to feed their children and that the situation has become a matter of "life and death."

I'm in communication with the bishop and hope to be able to work with the diocese to obtain and distribute food to those in greatest need and danger.

Please pray for this situation, and prayerfully consider how you might be able to help.

Annex: The Latest. The Catholic Diocese of Torit priest, Fr. Dario Arite sent me a letter of great concern. He has been witnessing sad events. He wrote, “the parishioners from Kikilai, outstation of Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish, Chukudum, Budi County, 160 kilometers from Torit are leaving for Uganda in search of food. Some left and more are planning to cross” He said that the government, the NGOs and UN should verify this immediately. It will be very sad that our people within few months of return from Uganda are going back. This is shameful and demoralized. Those who came back home with jubilation proud to return to their motherland now are leaving again…

The people within the diocese and the State are badly off. The Logir, the Dinga, the Toposa, the Acholi, the Madi, and the Lopit. I met the Paramount chief of the Lopit people who later this morning spoke at our Radio Emmanuel. He expressed the deep suffering of death from hunger. In Chahari the situation is very serious. They came in big numbers to meet the governor as he visited them. The meeting was dominated by several requests of food. The governor decided to offer 5,000 bags of grains which will be sold at the cheaper price of $15 per bag. The local business men and women of the local area were already doing the same. But in some counties and areas, a bad of grain or sorghum of 50 kilograms is sold at $40. The lucky ones might afford to keep their stomachs full for two more months, what about the unfortunate one, who cannot afford even $15…

This morning I met a team of chiefs from Lopit villages. They expressed their greatest fears of severe hunger that probably has never been seen before… The Paramount chief, Mr. Salvatore said, “Death is coming and we are dying.” He also quoted other villages outside his own that are suffering. He stressed more on the suffering of the neighboring villages. He explained it in a very simple way. He said, if neighboring villages have some food, then there would be hope for survival, but at this particular moment, the suffering is general. No village around them has food or promising crops. Therefore, no one can save the other. “Death is inevitable,” he said.

What is seen in Torit today is unique. Areas that used to produce food for the rest of the people are now suffering. Palotaka, Chukudum, Katire, Imotong, Lafon, Lopit, Lowoi, Isohe and many others are in the same way and situation of the other villages I have just expressed.

Our department of food security is preparing some documents after the declaration of the government in Torit of the looming disaster.

To all men and women of good will, we appeal to you for your assistance. Death from hunger is so simple; one can die in bed weak and helpless. On the other hand, death by bullets is different, as I have lived in war situation for years; I have observed that, the victim will always struggle, however weak one may be. We need to save our people, especially the most affected, small children and the elderly.

We have already lost some family members, can we together save the rest of the majority from the tragedy.

May God bless you as you plan to step in and save the situation in whichever way that our God will inspire you.

We are waiting for your prompt response

Yours,

+Akio Johnson Mutek
Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Torit,
Sudan