IN SOUTH SUDAN, where famine has been declared, mothers and children are dying for lack of food and water, the Bishop of Twic East, in South Sudan, the Rt Revd Ezekiel Diing Ajang Malangdit has said, in an appeal for more international aid.

Bishop Diing Malangdit said: “In Twic East there is peace but the major problem is hunger. People are hungry, and because of the conflict they are struggling. It has disturbed people’s normal lives and they are not able to cultivate their land properly.

“Hunger is the number-one issue. People are very hungry, but they do not want to leave their homes. There are also other problems such as water and sanitation. Children are dehydrated, women are dying, there is no medication for pregnant women and new mothers who are still breastfeeding.

“So we need urgent support now, especially for people who have been internally displaced. There is an urgent need for relief,” he said, speaking to the charity Tearfund.

The Disasters Emergency Committee has launched an appeal for East Africa — encompassing South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia — where 16 million people are at risk of starvation due to drought and, in some areas, conflict (News, 17 March). The appeal has raised £36 million so far.

Supporters of the Roman Catholic charity Cafod have raised £1 million, including a donation of almost £1000 from the Holy Ghost RC Primary School, in Balham, raised by holding a non-school-uniform day.

Pope Francis and the Archbishop of Canterbury hope to pay a short visit to South Sudan together, later this year, depending on the security situation (News, 3 March).