CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING, PURSUING THE COMMON GOOD
It is the honourable responsibility of Christians to contribute by means of active participation to building a society where the common good is fundamental. As Pope Benedict XVI affirmed: “There is a need for authentically Christian politicians but, even more so, for lay faithful who witness to Christ and the Gospel in the civil and political community.” (Address to the 24th Plenary Session of the Pontifical Council for the Laity).
RADAR
SUDAN: AMONG ‘WORST HUMANITARIAN DISASTERS IN RECENT MEMORY’ (UN)
BY UNITED NATIONS | AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE (AFP)
AFTER NEARLY a year of war, Sudan is suffering one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history, the United Nations has warned, slamming the international community for its lack of action. Fighting between army chief Abdel Fattah al-Burhan and his former deputy, Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, has since April killed tens of thousands and led to acute food shortages and a looming risk of famine.
“By all measures—the sheer scale of humanitarian needs, the numbers of people displaced and facing hunger—Sudan is one of the worst humanitarian disasters in recent memory,” said Edem Wosornu, director of operations at the UN Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs (UNOCHA).
“A humanitarian travesty is playing out in Sudan under a veil of international inattention and inaction,” Wosornu told the Security Council on 20 March, speaking on behalf of UNOCHA head Martin Griffiths.
“Simply put, we are failing the people of Sudan,” she added, describing the population’s desperation.”
The United States, Sudan’s top donor, announced another $47 million in humanitarian assistance.
Julieta Valls Noyes, a senior US diplomat dealing with refugees, made the announcement in Chad as she met Prime Minister Succes Masra, saying the aid would go to neighbouring countries which are welcoming Sudanese refugees, including Chad and South Sudan— themselves among the world’s poorest nations.
According to the UN, the conflict has seen more than eight million people displaced.
The Security Council earlier this month called for an immediate ceasefire during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and urged for better access to humanitarian aid. “I regret to report that there has not been major progress on the ground,” Wosornu told the Council on Wednesday.
In total, more than 18 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity—a record during harvest season, and 10 million more than at this time last year—while 730 000 Sudanese children are estimated to suffer from severe malnutrition.
In total, more than 18 million Sudanese are facing acute food insecurity—a record during harvest season, and 10 million more than at this time last year—while 730 000 Sudanese children are estimated to suffer from severe malnutrition.
Griffiths warned the Security Council last week in a letter seen by AFP that “almost five million people could slip into catastrophic food insecurity in some parts of the country in the coming months.”
UN World Food Programme deputy executive director Carl Skau said: “If we are going to prevent Sudan from becoming the world’s largest hunger crisis, coordinated efforts and joined up diplomacy is urgent and critical.”
He cautioned there was a “high risk” that the country could see famine levels of hunger when the agricultural lean season begins in May.
Malnutrition is “already claiming children’s lives,” Wosornu said, adding that humanitarian experts estimate some 222 000 children could die of the condition in the coming weeks and months.
Additionally, she said, children weakened from hunger are at a higher risk of dying from other preventable causes, as more than 70% of the country’s health infrastructure has collapsed.
Source: seychellesnewsagency.com.
‘VOTE ACCORDING TO YOUR EXPERIENCE AND YOUR CONSCIENCE’ (SACBC)
“For the good of the country, vote according to your experience and your conscience, not according to unquestioning loyalty to one or another political party.
IN THE FIGHT TO END HUMAN TRAFFICKING, EDUCATING MIGRANTS ABOUT THE RISKS THEY FACE IS ‘ESSENTIAL’
Ask female religious leaders on the front lines of the fight against human trafficking and the exploitation of cheap migrant labour, and you hear less about government programs and more about educating the migrants.
“PUBLIC BROADCASTING MUST SERVE THE COMMON GOOD” (POPE FRANCIS)
Meeting the staff of the Italian broadcasting corporation (RAI), Pope Francis highlights its mission— and by extension the mission of all communication media—to serve citizens by producing high-quality programmes and unbiased information for the common good.
PASTORAL APPROACH TO DEADLY MINERAL CONFLICTS IN AFRICA
As minerals fuel deadly conflicts in Africa, a leading cardinal urged local churches to ensure that Africa’s abundant resources contribute to the benefit of its populations instead of hurting them.