World Vision is first to bring aid to remote tribal community

Monday, February 16, 2015

World Vision has become the first aid organisation to reach a group of nomadic tribespeople in South Sudan with aid.

In the process of conducting a campaign to vaccinate 300,000 cattle, World Vision staff encountered a group of approximately 10,000 Arab nomads called ‘Falata’ in the Upper Nile region of South Sudan.

Originally from Nigeria, the Falata comprise of eleven different tribes, each with their own dress and language. They live concealed in acacia forest close to the border with Sudan. 

Pastoralist groups number in their millions throughout Eastern Africa and cattle are the lifeblood of many tribes. Falata’s cattle are their staple food as children drink cow’s milk and adults eat the beef. 

Cattle are the food and wealth of people like the Falata. Keeping cattle healthy keeps everyone, including small children, healthy.

Once the cattle have been vaccinated, World Vision intends to conduct an assessment to determine the other acute needs of the group and how they can best be met.