World Vision response

World Vision commenced worked in Sudan in the 1980s. The organisation provides a wide range of programs that seek to promote peace and reconciliation in both countries, while improving the lives of children and their families.

World Vision’s projects in South Sudan are targeting more than two million people. The projects focus on:

• Health, nutrition and HIV&AIDS
• Water and sanitation
• Food security and livelihoods 
• Peace building and protection 
• Food aid 
• Education
• Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs/Emergency response

Background information

Sudan has been plagued by conflict for many years. Decades of north-south civil war has cost the lives of 1.5 million people and displaced four million more, and a continuing conflict in the western region of Darfur has driven two million people from their homes and killed more than 200,000 people.  

The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 brought a cautious peace to most of Sudan, apart from the Darfur region. Some refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) returned to their homes in southern Sudan after years of exile in the neighbouring countries and other parts of Sudan.

As part of the CPA, in January this year the people of Southern Sudan voted in a referendum to decide if they wanted to remain part of Sudan or become the world’s newest country. They overwhelmingly voted for independence. The independence ceremony for the Republic of South Sudan will take place on 9 July 2011.  

The longstanding humanitarian difficulties of extreme poverty, lack of access to food, and dire child and maternal health problems will continue to require years of focused efforts.  Over the coming weeks and years, the international community’s support for Sudan and South Sudan will be crucial.

Children sponsored by Australians

World Vision does not have child sponsorship programs in Sudan.

How you can help

Support for the Emergency & Preparedness Fund enables World Vision to prepare for emergencies by pre-stocking and positioning life-saving supplies and ensuring trained staff are available to be on the scene quickly, to respond to emergencies.

Find out more about our Emergency & Preparedness Fund or donate now.