750 Orphans at Risk of Abduction in Latest Onslaught of Mass Killings in South Sudan
Rebel forces bring tribal warfare within miles of Make Way Partners orphanage
BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 21, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Make Way Partners, the only indigenously operated relief organization in [North] and South Sudan, fears for one of its orphan facilities following an outbreak of violence incited by rebel forces. The rebel forces have begun an onslaught of mass killings just miles from the New Life Ministry orphanage, which houses over 750 unadoptable South Sudanese children.
Last week, General Dau, the former governor of Northern Bahr el Ghazal, the region of South Sudan in which New Life Ministry orphanage is located, defected to rebel forces. These rebels, led by Riek Marchar, have incited intense tribalism in the region, encouraging young people to take up arms. Already thousands of South Sudanese have fled surrounding villages.
"These evil men will stop at nothing to gain political power in South Sudan," said Kimberly L. Smith, the co-founder and president of Make Way Partners, the organization that operates New Life Ministry orphanage. "Our orphans are caught in the crossfire of two merciless factions, and they are at risk of being attacked and abducted by the rebel forces."
Operating an orphanage in a country riddled by war and tribal genocide, Make Way Partners has faced threats of violence before; however, the warfare is venturing closer to the orphanage than ever before. Because rebels are jamming satellite signals, the orphanage may not be able to maintain contact with Smith.
Last week, Smith travelled to the New Life Ministry orphanage to dedicate a computer lab at the orphanage's high school, the only free high school in South Sudan. While there, she met with the ministry's leadership to discuss how to discern "if and when the time came that the children had to make a run for it."
"We fear for the safety of the precious children under our care," said Smith. "If violence continues to escalate, they will be forced to evacuate. If they stay too long, they are at risk of invasion and abduction, but if they run, we will certainly lose many children's lives. There is no safe place for them to go."
Note to editors: Kimberly L. Smith is available for interview in New York City July 21-22.
For more information about Make Way Partners, please visit http://alarryross.com/newsroom/make-way-partners/.
FOR INFORMATION, CONTACT:
A. Larry Ross Communications
Katie Martin 972.267.1111
[email protected]
SOURCE Make Way Partners
WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM?
Newsrooms &
Influencers
Digital Media
Outlets
Journalists
Opted In
Share this article