| APPEAL
FOR EMERGENCY RELIEF AID FOR NORTHERN UGANDA - July 20th, 2004 |
| More
than 1.6 Million Civilians, including many Children & women,
have been internally displaced due to the 18 years Lords Resistance
Army civil conflict. Thousands of innocent Civilians killed, maimed,
women raped and over 20,000 children abducted since the beginning
of the conflict in 1986. |
|
 |
Donated
used clothes for IDPS in Northern Uganda. |
| |
|
|
|
|
|
| The
Acholi region in Northern Uganda has experienced massive displacement,
social upheavals and economic stagnation as a result of internal
civil conflict, since 1986. An estimated 1.2 million people in Northern
& Eastern Uganda are internally displaced. The region has undergone
a civil conflict between the government and Lord’s Resistance
Army, a rebel group whose beliefs are rooted in Christian fundamentalist
doctrines and traditional religions seeking to establish its own
rules basing on the Bible’s Ten Commandments. The Humanitarian
situation in Northern/Eastern Uganda has degenerated to deplorable
emergency levels, with the LRA rebels having burnt down villages,
destroyed properties, food crops and abducted children. The people
have abandoned their homes and their property fleeing from the LRA
attacks. |
|
|
|
|
| AYM
Uganda’s primary interest in the context of emergency relief efforts
lies in the area of "recovery" work. Assisting communities in turning
"vulnerabilities into capacities" is of great interest to the agency.
Often traumatic events provide wonderful opportunities for new beginnings,
and helping people to take advantage of these opportunities can
be an important first step in undertaking long-term development
commitments. |
|
|
|
|
| The
people of Acholi have lost access to cultivation fields & income
generating activities leading to a situation of total dependency
and a need for assistance. Parents cannot anymore afford to provide
for their Children in terms of food, education & medical. Majority
of parents have abandoned their villages, and camps due to lack
of food, inadequate security and overcrowding and they moved to
the municipality (Gulu) where security is fairly assured. An estimated
number of 60% children survive on one meal per day, which is either
served at school or home, while a big number of children survive
without a single meal the entire day. |
|
|
|
|
| Overseas
relief delivery organizations operating in and around the war zone
of Northern Eastern Uganda have worked desperately to prevent a
catastrophe of enormous proportions. |
|
|
|
|
| Overseas
relief delivery organizations operating in and around the war zone
of Northern Eastern Uganda have worked desperately to prevent a
catastrophe of enormous proportions. |
|
|
|
|
| These
agencies have mobilized their resources and have delivered services
in those areas that they can safely access. Sadly, the continuation
& magnitude of the crisis far exceeds the resources available,
both to provide emergency relief now, and rebuilding Northern/Eastern
Uganda when the war ceases |
|
|
|
|
| The
future of the people of the Northern/Eastern Uganda, and the legacy
of the current conflict, depends upon the level of our response
today - regardless of our nationality, religion or position on the
war. The people of Northern Uganda urgently need help, and we can't
deliver that help without you. |
|
|
|
|
| Africa
Youth Ministries is relying on the generosity of the people of America
and the world to provide the resources for this vital and difficult
mission. We need your help today to deliver food, health care, scholastic
materials, used clothes, tents and tarpaulins, agricultural tools
and seeds to displaced families. Your help can literally mean the
difference between life and death for the innocent families struggling
amid this conflict. |
|
|
|
|
| You
can make a difference. |
|
|
|
|
-
Educate your family and friends about the crisis in Northern Uganda
by sharing this letter with congregations, foundations, trusts,
churches, ngo’s, associates, friends and family throughout
the world.
- Keep up-to-date on this crisis by visiting www.aymu.org. |
| -
Be generous with your support - every dollar counts. |
|
|
|
|
| Together,
we can make a global impact. |
|
|
|
|
| Thank
you on behalf of the people you are helping. |
| Sincerely, |
| |
|
|
|
| David
Ekusai |
| Humanitarian
Co-ordinator |
| admin@aymu.org |
| |
|
|
|
