A delegation from Finland, led by Archbishop Dr. Tapio Luoma of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and Dr. Tomi Järvinen, Executive Director of Finn Church Aid (FCA), made a solidarity visit to the Gorom Refugee Camp in Central Equatoria State.
They were welcomed by Bishop Dr. Paul Yugusuk of the Episcopal Church of South Sudan’s Central Equatoria Province, Bishop Ezra Bakoyogo of the Evangelical Lutheran Church of South Sudan, and Muslim leader Sheikh Juma Ali.
This visit followed the ecumenical pilgrimage in February 2023, when Pope Francis, the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the Moderator of the Church of Scotland visited South Sudan to promote peace and reconciliation efforts.
The Finnish leaders’ visit aimed to reinforce the need for inclusive dialogue in implementing the peace agreement and to assess the humanitarian situation in the Gorom Refugee Camp.
During their two-day visit, the religious leaders emphasized the vital role that faith communities, religious leaders, and international partners play in supporting South Sudan’s peace and development processes.
Religious leaders noted that Finn Church Aid, Finland’s largest development cooperation NGO and a leading provider of disaster relief, remains committed to providing education, livelihood support, and peace-building initiatives that benefit local communities worldwide.
The delegation engaged in discussions with senior South Sudanese government officials, seeking permanent solutions to the ongoing humanitarian crises affecting refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Their visit also included an evaluation of ongoing projects supported by Finland in South Sudan, particularly those focused on providing critical humanitarian assistance to vulnerable populations.
, made a solidarity visit to the Gorom Refugee Camp in Central Equatoria State. ){kind=link}