A Bishop from Sudan who is raising awareness of a humanitarian crisis in his country has visited Oxenhope.

The Right Rev Bishop Andudu Adam Elnail took part in an assembly at Oxenhope Primary School, where he also received a gift from the pupils.

He is the Bishop of Kadugli, in the Nuba Mountains of southern Sudan, and was on a ten-day visit to the UK. His home region has been badly affected by an ongoing civil war, which has forced thousands from their homes and left them with very little food or other essentials.

The Rt Rev Elnail said: “Many are living in caves in the Nuba mountains to protect themselves. There is severe famine, people are sick and children are dying.”

The diocese of Bradford has an established link with the Anglican churches in Sudan and has raised nearly £100,000 to help displaced Christians and Muslims.

Oxenhope Primary School has linked up with Hope School, a primary school in southern Sudan, and has helped its African partner to build new classrooms and employ extra staff.

During his visit to Oxenhope last Friday morning, the pupils gave the Rt Rev Elnail a booklet which they put together to introduce themselves to their young counterparts at Hope School.

The Bishop said: “In the last war we lost a whole generation who went without schooling, and we don’t want that to happen again.

“Some parts of the country are marginalised and there’s no development. The many resources we have are just taken to the capital, Khartoum.

“We’re asking for justice and equality and for resources to be properly shared.

“The state religion is Islam, but we say that there are also Christian people in Sudan and we need the Government to recognise all religions.”

He said civil unrest in the Nuba Mountains region had lasted for more than 50 years.