By Ginaba Lino
The Director General of Misereor in Germany, Dr. Fr. Andreas Frick, has urged South Sudanese to reject calls to fight one another, saying peace, solidarity and unity are essential to rebuilding the country.
Fr. Frick made the remarks after completing a two-day visit to Malakal, Upper Nile State, where he assessed the situation and needs of communities affected by conflict, displacement and humanitarian challenges.
“Don’t believe those who ask you to fight against the others in your country. There is so much solidarity with good people in the countries around you. Peace is the basis of all.”
In an Interview with Catholic Radio Network, Fr. Frick said that visiting South Sudan for the first time allowed him to meet vulnerable communities, Government officials, Church leaders, young people, and people involved in education, health, and development projects.
He said visiting Malakal and listening directly to affected communities gave him a deeper understanding of the realities facing South Sudan than what he has heard and read through news reports.
“Coming to the place, coming deeper to see the situations, having time to listen to people, it is changing everything,” he said.
Fr. Frick said he was encouraged by the Caritas of Malakal and the efforts being made through various projects, describing the initiatives he witnessed as intelligent, sustainable and evidence that progress remains possible despite the challenges.
He identified nutrition, peace, education, health and institutional development as among the key needs in Upper Nile State.
According to Fr. Frick, strengthening institutions in education, administration and health will require stronger networks within South Sudan and continued international support.
He said Misereor, which has worked internationally for more than 60 years, seeks to understand the specific needs of communities in different countries and connect them with appropriate support.
Misereor Director, however, acknowledged that Misereor is facing declining funding, making long-term financial commitments increasingly uncertain.
He said some projects that developed from small beginnings into functioning institutions still require additional support to become more effective and sustainable.
During his visit, Fr. Frick and the accompanying delegation toured a technical school where they met young people undergoing vocational training, Displaced Persons, the Catholic University of Malakal Diocese, and the Governor of Upper Nile State. He said the students demonstrated talent and determination but need adequate facilities, equipment, and reliable power to develop their skills.
He expressed that Misereor could either provide assistance directly or mobilize support through its international networks.
He said many people displaced by war have remained away from their homes for years, while those who have returned continue to face significant needs.
“Wartime has affected Malakal in a very bad shape,” he said, noting that communities and institutions are struggling to cope with the needs of people returning home.
Fr. Frick also visited communities along the Nile, including one that experienced repeated displacement following conflict and flooding.
Although the community had been significantly reduced, he said he was impressed by the solidarity among families and the efforts being made to rebuild their lives.
For Fr. Frick, the experiences demonstrated that despite the devastation caused by conflict, faith, solidarity and hope remain strong among South Sudanese communities.
“All the consequences of war are here, and this country needs peace,” he said.
He stressed that South Sudan needs continued international support to strengthen the efforts already being made by communities and institutions.
Fr. Frick said he would return to Germany with a message of hope about the people he had encountered in South Sudan, particularly young people and communities working to rebuild their lives.
Misereor (officially Bischöfliches Hilfswerk Misereor e.V.) is the international development agency of the Catholic Church in Germany. Founded in 1958 on the initiative of Cardinal Josef Frings of Cologne and the German Bishops’ Conference, the organization was created to fight hunger, disease, and poverty globally. Its name derives from the Latin biblical passage “Misereor super turbam” (“I have compassion for the people”). Since its inception, Misereor has funded over 112,000 development projects in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Oceania.