JUBA, MAY 15, 2020 (CISA)-The South Sudan Council of Churches (SSCC) Taskforce on Covid-19 has called for robust and sustained collective public outreach to develop a shared understanding of the situation in the country noting that most people do not have proper information on Covid-19.
“Most of our people are still ignorant about the potential danger posed by this pandemic… there is a lot of misinformation, misinterpretation of information and stigma, socio-cultural perspectives and mistaken religious interpretations that continue to impede the great efforts on preventing the spread of the corona virus and managing its impact,” the council said in a May 13 pastoral statement.
The council called upon Christians ,Citizens, Religious Leaders, Media Houses, Civil Society Organizations, professional associations, community-based organizations, academics and community leaders, the Revitalized Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGONU), Donors, International Community and International Non-Governmental Organizations (INGOs) to combine efforts to prevent Covid-19 from overwhelming the country.
The Council noted that uncontrolled spread of Covid-19 could potentially derail the implementation of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS).
“…anything that can undermine the peace and stability of our great nation is certainly being the concern of every citizen,” the council said.
The SSCC Taskforce on Covid-19 with its ecumenical members and partners pledged to work closely with the State and non-state actors to coordinate nationwide efforts on prevention of the spread of Covid-19
The clerics implored the National High-Level Taskforce on Covid-19 to put in place systems and procedures that will ensure transparent and accountable custody and utilization of resources set aside to fight the Covid-19 pandemic.
“…the Church calls on the National High-Level Taskforce on Covid-19 to urgently develop and share, a clear national strategy and work plan to fight the pandemic so that it helps to guide, coordinate and streamline the efforts of all stakeholders contributing to the prevention and spread of this disease in South Sudan.”
They appealed for an end to military confrontations and adherence to the provisions of the Permanent Ceasefire and the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement so as to create a conducive environment for successful prevention and elimination of Covid-19 in the country.
