A news-photo exhibition, “After Independence: Report on South Sudanese Refugees” (organized by The Mainichi Newspapers and the Mainichi Newspapers Tokyo Social Welfare Foundation), covering people in South Sudan in eastern Africa, where civil-war turmoil continues, is on view in the free space beside the east entrance on the first floor of the Palaceside Building (photo above). About 40 photographs show children suffering from malnutrition and scenes from refugee camps. Through October 1, anyone may view the show freely from 10:00 to 18:00 (closed Sundays and holidays).
South Sudan became the “newest country” after more than 40 years of civil war, gaining independence in 2011 and joining the United Nations. Two years later, however, civil war broke out again and has become a quagmire, with ethnic conflict also severe. Japan took part in United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKO); many people may have first learned the name “South Sudan” when daily logs of the dispatched Self-Defense Forces were found not to have been properly kept. In any case, the people have suffered terribly: more than 4 million, about one-third of the population, have been driven from their homes, and about 2.5 million have become refugees living under harsh conditions. Because of food short
ages, some 1 million children are said to be malnourished.
The Mainichi Newspapers and the Mainichi Newspapers Tokyo Social Welfare Foundation have run an “Overseas Refugee Relief Campaign” since 1979. This April they sent a reporter and photographer to South Sudan and neighboring Uganda for about a month to cover evacuee camps and a pediatric hospital, and in June they serialized “After Independence: Report on South Sudanese Refugees” in five parts (photo at right). On September 1 the evening edition carried a one-page feature, “Treasures of South Sudanese Refugees” (photo below). The “treasures” include photographs of 12 people holding items such as a “handmade soccer ball” (the boy in the center of the top row) and a “traditional instrument” (the man at the right of the second row from the bottom); a mother holding a 10-month-old child she “evacuated after giving birth” (center of the bottom row) is especially striking (also on view at the exhibition).
The Mainichi Newspapers Tokyo Social Welfare Foundation is also collecting “Overseas Refugee Relief Funds” to support refugees and children around the world. Cash registered mail or postal transfer is accepted. 〒100-8051, 1-1-1 Hitotsubashi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Mainichi Newspapers Tokyo Social Welfare Foundation (tel. 03-3213-2674), “Overseas Refugee Relief Funds” desk (postal transfer 00120-0-76498).
