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Background
The Republic of Sudan gained independence from the UK in 1956. For all but 12 of the 53 years since independence the country has been engulfed in a civil war between the mainly Arab Muslin north and the predominantly African Animist and Christian south. An estimated 2 million have died as a result of the war following the seizure of power by the National Islamic Front regime in 1989, man-made famine and disease. Over 4 million have been displaced. The cost of war has turned Sudan into one of the poorest countries in the world with most living on less than $1 a day.
 Despite talks aimed at ending the conflict, held in Kenya in 2003 and 2004, and the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in July 2005, the resurgence in the western region of Darfur has intensified. This ongoing conflict has been described by the U.N as one of the worst humanitarian disasters worldwide. A further 1.2 million people have been affected: at least 750,000 are believed to be displaced within Darfur and over 100,000 people have fled to Chad.
HART’s priority is to work in locations generally neglected by international aid organisations. Southern Sudan is one such region that continues to suffer devastation. In 2007 only 13% of Southern Sudan had an Immunisation Programme (EPI) - increasing to 19% in 2008- and there were only 20 secondary schools serving this vast region. With the media and major aid organisations focusing on Darfur, many of the victims of the war in Southern Sudan are largely left forgotten.
The failure of Khartoum to fulfil some of the CPA requirements has undermined confidence in its commitment to peace. The episodic outbreaks of violence instigated by ‘militias’, cause tension among civilian populations and the lack of confidence in security diminishes commitment to reconstruction programmes for local people and the resettlement of returnees.
There is a concern that powerful nations and organisations are putting pressure on the South to opt for a ‘United Sudan’ in the 2011 referendum required by the CPA. Many feel that unity has only caused suffering, war and discrimination and they should be free to choose the option of secession, without pressure. Their choice and self-determination, including that of Abyie, must be respected by the International community. Involvement by the International community is essential to guarantee fair elections and the Referendum does happen.
One of the reasons why secession may be preferred is the history of aggression and racism practiced by Arab, Muslim northerners against the African southerners. The perception that separation may be essential to maintain African identity and culture is frequently cited as a reason for possible secession. There is no hatred of Arabs and Muslims but it is felt the succession may be necessary for African identity and freedom of religion (including freedom from Sharia Law) to be ensured.
 In addition, the area still suffers from insecurity due to the activities of the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA), which has been causing destruction in its war against the Ugandan government and with its policies of killing, rape, torture and the systematic abduction of children. The LRA was responsible for widespread death and destruction during a 20-year war, until Peace Talks brokered by Southern Sudan brought some respite. During the war, 500,000 people perished, 95% of local people were driven into overcrowded camps and at least 25,000 children were abducted and forced to become child soldiers. Khartoum was manifestly complicit, allowing some of the training camps where the children were brutalised and trained as child soldiers to be held in NIF-controlled areas in Southern Sudan. In recent weeks the LRA has renewed its activities, causing serious security issues in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) and southern Sudan.
HART and Yei, Southern Sudan
 HART supports programmes in Yei, where the few aid organisations who are working there have restricted their programmes due to security. As a result there is a severe inadequacy in humanitarian provisions. HART has helped to fund basic medical supplies and health facilities for rural communities in areas facing formidable challenges. Since the initial funding of an orphanage in Yei, HART has supported rural health clinics in strategically important areas; work that will greatly improve the medical facilities available to vulnerable, rural people, many of whom are suffering or dying from preventable and treatable conditions such as malaria, measles, meningitis, tetanus and problems with childbirth.
At present HART continues to work with Bishop Elias Taban of the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC) and his extensive organisation which receives the full support of the South Sudanese Government. HART continues, with the support of the Barnabas Fund, Trust House and others, to fund a programme for progressively setting up 6 Primary Health Care Centres (PHCC) (3 fully operative at Logo, Morsak and Lora; 3 being built at Payawa, Balamuke and elsewhere in the Lora district of Lanya county) and in addition to explore the possibility of being of assistance with the obvious shortfall in trained medical personnel.
We continue to visit, and support in small ways, two children’s homes at Morobo and Lora as well as supporting the Agricultural Programme, carried out at Golu, which began in 2008. Initially HART funded the operational costs for two tractors donated by AST in the UK. HART did this having first investigated with specialists in Food Security and Agriculture working in Southern Sudan, the viability and correctness of the working proposals of the EPC at Yei for the careful use of mechanized farming. Since then, HART has provided further funding for the second Season’s planting.
In the second Season (August - December approx), there were planted: 7 ½ feddan of Sorghum; 2 ½ feddan of beans. Local employment is produced by weeding; harvesting and the processing of increased yields. The successful harvest yielded productive crops which provided surplus profits to support orphans, Women’s Empowerment Programme and victims of mine injuries.
HART and the Nuba Mountains
HART continues involvement with the NRRDO (Nuba Relief, Rehabilitation and Development Organisation) through support of the Widows’ Empowerment programme: helping them to unite; to generate income when they are left unsupported; and to take a fuller and more prominent role in their communities in contrast to their present marginalisation. This is long-term work and we intend to support them for a further year to ensure they are establishing themselves effectively.
HART and Bahr-el-Ghazal
HART has begun to develop a supportive relationship with the Marol School, near Luonyaker. This is described as a ‘Girls school, to which Boys may come!’, emphasizing the need to increase female education. Last year they had prepared for c.250 pupils. They in fact received c.450. Some had come from a considerable distance. Allowing for another school to be set up in the distant village, become fully functional and take pupils from other locations- the Marol School still expects to be teaching c.320-340 pupils once it reopens March 2009.
The school functioned last year with 7 full-time and 3 part-time teachers. Commencing this year, they intend to send 3 teachers for 3 months on training courses during the school’s close-down period in the dry season. It is HART’s intention to help with this.
Financial Facts and Figures
In 2008 (figures sourced on 15th November 2008) HART spent £17,000 on the projects in Southern Sudan, with contributions from the Barnabas Fund, the Canning Trust and the Reverend and Mrs Marsh.
HART, Sudan and the Future
HART is seeking financial support to enable:
Further support for the Widow’s Empowerment Programme in the Nuba Mountains, which is already beginning to show signs of great benefit, 12 months since the birth of the programme.Further support for the education programme within the Nuba Mountains where at present only one secondary school is operational along with a small number of primary schools.Increased support for a primary education and agricultural programme in Bahr-el-Ghazal.
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