Informing humanitarians worldwide 24/7 — a service provided by UN OCHA

Sudan

OCHA Sudan Humanitarian Update Jul 2002


Highlights
The UN Secretary General, Mr. Kofi Annan, visited Sudan from 10-12 July during which time access was discussed with the GoS. After negotiations, the GoS agreed to grant access to 24 locations previously denied.

Participants at the Donor, NGO and UN meeting on humanitarian assistance to the Sudan (Geneva, 29 July) welcomed progress made in peace negotiations and urged similar progress on humanitarian access. Participants condemned the attack in Waat (Upper Nile) where a staff member from World Vision International was killed and three staff were taken hostage. The hostages were later released.

The GoS and the SPLM/A reached agreement on the right to selfdetermination for the people of south Sudan and the separation of state and religion, following five weeks of peace negotiations in Machakos, Kenya.

Sudanese President, Omer Hassan el Bashir and the leader of the SPLM/A, John Garang met for the first time in Uganda on 29 July to discuss the resolution of the 19-year civil conflict.

The food security situation in southern Sudan remains poor as a result of continued conflict and late rains. Areas of concern are Bahr el Ghazal (particularly Wau and Gogrial), Western Upper Nile/Unity and Bieh States.

The first cross-line humanitarian intervention was successfully carried out in Kadugli (Nuba Mountains) following an outbreak of measles in five SPLM/A held villages.

The SPLM agreed to extend the Nuba Mountains cease-fire (expired 19 June) for a further six months. The GoS agreed to extend in June.

1. Humanitarian Situation:

Access

During the visit of the Secretary General to Khartoum, lack of access - particularly to Western Upper Nile/Unity State, Eastern Equatoria and parts of Bahr el Ghazal - formed a large part of discussions held with the Government of the Sudan (GoS). Following negotiation, the GoS agreed to lift the blanket denial over WUN/Unity State and grant access to 24 ‘unknown’ locations previously denied by the GoS from 15 – 31 July. The UN undertook to provide a list and map of all OLS locations accessed by the humanitarian community indicating the state/region and province/counties in which these areas are located. OLS provided a comprehensive alphanumeric list of 302 locations at the end of July and requested the GoS to advise on the Arabic equivalent of names of these locations. The Arabic and Latin designations of locations will be incorporated into a map containing administrative boundaries. This is expected to facilitate the flight clearance procedure particularly regarding unknown locations.

As a follow up to continued lack of humanitarian access a meeting was convened in Geneva on 29 July 2002 by the Deputy USAID Administrator, Mr Roger Winter, with the participation of representatives of donor countries, UN/OLS, ICRC and NGOs (SCF-UK, World Vision, CRS). The meeting urged parties to make progress on humanitarian access and condemned the recent attack in Waat (Upper Nile) where one World Vision staff was killed. Participants further recommended follow up meetings in Khartoum and Nairobi on humanitarian access, and that financial support to Sudan be linked to progress on the humanitarian front. USAID also proposed a briefing of the Security Council on the humanitarian situation in Sudan.

Food Security

Confirming concern raised by FAO in May, the Sudan Early Warning System (SEWS) reports that rainfall in most parts of Sudan remains unsatisfactory although slightly improved in July with the exception of Bahr el Ghazal. Red Sea state in particular continues to experience dry conditions for the fourth consecutive year. The WFP Technical Support Unit and the quarterly FAO sponsored Food Security Meeting report that the general food security situation in southern Sudan has deteriorated over the last three months due to late rains, insecurity and flight denials. The Food Security Meeting also stated that a one to two month extension of the hunger gap is expected as a result. Global malnutrition rates from most areas surveyed in southern Sudan range from between 23 % to 39.9%.

2. Humanitarian Concerns:

Flight denials

In June 17 locations were specifically flight denied inclusive of areas under the no fly zone south of the line Yei-Juba-Torit and Kapoeta. Access was denied to a further 24 locations as the GoS stated they were ‘unknown’. Access to the 24 unknown locations was granted following the SGs visit. WFP informed that approximately 355, 680 beneficiaries were affected in some form or another by GoS flight denials. About 76,500 of this number were completely inaccessible due to flight denials.

Funding

As of 31 July 2002, only USD 80 million (29.3%) out of USD 274 million requested had been pledged and or received. The CAP funding shortfall is USD 194 million (60.7%). During the Donor/UN and NGO meeting held in Geneva, the UN delegation underlined the critical funding status of programs and activities under the CAP and urged the donor community to respond more generously to under-funded sectors.

IDPs

Over 8,000 IDPs fled Mankien to Mayom following fighting between the SPLM/A and the GoS. The IDPs fled with some assets including 10,000 head of cattle. WFP reported 3,000 new IDPs in Akop and Langkap areas during the month of July. Over 700 IDPs arrived in Juba from Lononk and Kogi in eastern Equatoria due to continued insecurity caused by the LRA. The GoS is exploring the possibility of establishing IDP camps in Bungu, located 2 km from Juba. Following negotiations by OCHA with local authorities, IDPs who fled LRA attacks and settled in Gomba, on 22 June 2002, are now enjoying free access into Juba town (see June update). This group of IDPs are currently assisted by the humanitarian community namely ACF, Swedish Free Mission, WFP,

ICRC and UNICEF.

During the month of July, the return of IDPS to Kadugli from the surrounding areas of Butana, Rufaa and Khartoum was noted. A total of 28,000 IDPs in Khartoum have registered to return to Kadugli.

As a result of the visit to Khartoum of the UN Special Coordinator on IDPs and Director of the OCHA IDP Unit, Mr Kofi Asomani, a Senior IDP Advisor, Mr Amin Awad, has been selected to assist the GoS in preparing an IDP policy for the Sudan. This process will entail consultation with the various GoS central and local organs dealing with IDPs, Donors, UN Agencies and other relevant organizations. The IDP Policy Advisor will assist the GoS in developing an initial comprehensive framework taking into account a consultative process by the GoS involving international actors, local actors and IDP representatives. The shaping of the policy framework is considered a process, which will lead to a national workshop, followed by a national/international actor’s seminar and a regional conference. The regional conference will include IGAD and other national, international and regional actors.

Common Humanitarian Action Plan

Two workshops were held during the month in Khartoum and Nairobi to reach agreement on the Common Humanitarian Action Plan for the Sudan. Participants agreed that problem and sector analysis by geographical area would be undertaken to agree on common objectives, critical needs, operational constraints, resource gaps and required intervention for the CHAP. Sector focal points to draft the inputs were also agreed upon. Drafts will be circulated to all relevant bodies for review. Consolidation of the report will be undertaken by OCHA.

Other

Interventions were made to address high malnutrition rates (37%) and diarrhea (20 deaths) reported in June in Sanam El Naga Resettlement Project in South Darfur (see June update). SC-UK with the support of UNICEF and ECHO increased the number of health staff and drug supplies. An additional PHC Unit staffed by a medical assistant, midwife and a nurse was established. Supplementary and Therapeutic feeding centers were also established with 132 children serviced from June to date. Taps and open containers for separate human and animal water consumption were established. Previously animals and humans shared the same containers. Health education sessions were also conducted for the community while the camp was sprayed with insecticides.

3. Humanitarian Activities:

United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

UNICEF deployed a Mine Risk Education (MRE) Officer to Khartoum, Ms Miranda Shala who will be collocated with UNMAS in Sudan. The UNMAS seeks to assist the GoS in establishing the national mine action office and programme in Sudan. Ms Shala will assist in developing a fully integrated national MRE programme with local authorities, NGOs and the UN. It is expected that a programme will be in place by 2003.

Abyei Conflict Transformation Project

For the first time in over 14 years, about 800 resettled IDP households in three villages planted food crops in May and June. FAO supported the peace process by providing 19.7 MT of crop seeds, 3,000 hand tools and fishing equipment for 600 households consisting of mounting ropes, fishing lines, hooks and spools of various sizes of fishing twine. Hand tools were provided by UNDP utilizing a micro-credit revolving system managed by a local NGO. WFP also contributed by providing Food For Work for shelter construction and cultivation activities. Repayment following harvest will substantially enhance local capacity for tool production in the future. Households from Bahr el Ghazal have also been able to access some tools from Abyei. UNICEF provided essential drugs and water rehabilitation Intense peace building activities by the Abyei Peace Committee (supported by UNDP) resulted in a peaceful return migration of Arab (Missiriya) nomads from SPLA controlled Bahr al Ghazal through Abyei to their home areas around Muglad. The relationship between the two tribes has improved to the extent that there was an absence of violence, looting of assets and abductions during this period.

Due to breakdowns in village boreholes, two and often three communities rely completely on accessing streams for water. This situation needs to be addressed.

Nuba Mountains

The first NMPACT Partners Form took place from 17-20 July in Um Sirdiba, Nuba Mountains. The meeting reviewed the Nuba ceasefire agreement as well as the NMPACT document and its achievements to date. The meeting agreed upon a new coordination structure and on harmonization of cross line assessments and sectoral working groups. Both HAC and SRRA agreed to sign the document. A follow-up workshop will be held in September 2002 with more detailed needs assessment planned for November 2002. The need for a new airstrip in Um Sirdiba to facilitate easy access to this location was underscored. It is envisaged that increased actives will take place in Um Sirdiba, which is perceived to be a neutral location by all parties.

An outbreak of measles was reported during July in the SPLM/A areas of Dilling and Lagawa provinces. A rapid assessment and response team comprising UN, NGOs and counterparts was deployed to Wali, Tima, Toloshi, Timnim and Julud on 26 July. In each of these locations essential drugs and vaccines were delivered to local health workers. At the time of the visit a total of 2,558 cases were reported with 128 deaths most of them children under five. A total of 29 nurses were trained in Dilling Province on how to treat measles and carry our vaccinations. The situation continues to be closely monitored by the agencies that conducted the initial intervention. The response to the measles outbreak contributed towards confidence building measures and highlighted the fact that cross-line joint assessments could indeed take place with great success. A meeting of health care workers from both GoS and SPLM/A controlled areas took place for the first time in Kadugli on 31 July. Participants shared information on their activities and response to date.

Summary of UN Agency activities

FAO

During the month of July, approximately 425 MT of seeds were distributed in Darfur, Kordofan, Red Sea State, Kassala and the Butana Plains in River Nile state. Additionally, fishing equipment was distributed to 770 beneficiaries in Bahr el Jebel, Bahr el Ghazal and Malakal. Training in fish processing and preservation also took place for 111 individuals in these areas.

WFP

WFP southern sector distributed approximately 8,136 MT of mixed food commodities during the month to about 880,000 beneficiaries in southern Sudan and the Nuba Mountains. The total tonnage distributed represents 69 percent of the planned food aid needs for this area. Continued GoS flight denials and the erratic supply of Jet A1 fuel were the main cause of underachievement. The most affected region was Western Upper-Nile with approximately 54,500 beneficiaries completely devoid of WFP food aid. WFP road deliveries from Lokichoggio into Kenya were severely hindered by insecurity. On 21 July, a truck carrying WFP food aid en route to Kapoeta town was struck by an anti tank landmine. Two Kenyan truck operators were killed on the spot and two others were injured. A total of 6, 318 MT of mixed food commodities was delivered in northern sector to approximately 464,112 beneficiaries. About 1,006 MT of food was prepositioned in the Nuba Mountains area as rains are expected to hamper deliveries.

UNICEF

During the month of July reports of an outbreak of buruli ulcers was reported among the IDP community in Mabia, Tambura County. This disease, which mainly affects children, presents as a single or multiple ulcers primarily on the lower third of the leg. As at 26 July a total of 562 cases had been reported. WHO is coordinating the response while UNICEF is providing drugs. UNICEF reports that for 2001, malaria was the leading cause of morbidity in southern Sudan. Discussion, currently led by WHO, is underway on the possibility of using Fansidar instead of Chloroquin as a first line of treatment for malaria as reports indicate high incidences of resistance to Chloroquin in southern Sudan and neighbouring countries.

WHO

As part of a capacity building programme for health cadre in the Nuba Mountains, WHO conducted three intensive refresher-training courses for 250 health service providers from all provinces within the region. Fifty medical assistants and 150 nurses were trained on the protocols of Malaria, Bilharzia, Acute Respiratory Tract Infections and Acute Watery Diarrhea, AID/STI. Additionally, 50 volunteers from different national NGOs were trained on first aid for land mine casualties in collaboration with civil defense. WHO strengthened the surveillance system in Southern Kordofan State by providing communication material to the State Ministry.

UNHCR

Physical repatriation was suspended during the month due to the onset of the rainy season however registration continued in urban centers namely Khartoum, Wad Medani, Gedaref and Kassala. Activities in Port Sudan have been suspended until 12 September due to the heat wave. Repatriation activities will resume on 10 October. Recruitment of 30 international UNV lawyers was finalized during July. These lawyers are expected to report on 20 August in Sudan to participate in refugee status determination. To date 51,898 individuals have been repatriated to Eritrea.

Summary of NGO activities

Tearfund established a Therapeutic Feeding Centre in Aweil South to treat severely malnourished children encountered in their Supplementary Feeding Center. Subsequently, 41 children were admitted to the TFC in July. A planned nutritional survey for the area was abandoned in May due to insecurity. A VSF Belgium rinderpest surveillance promotion/workshop took place in Jonglei and Eastern Equatoria. CRS reports that the general food security situation in Torit and Magwe is poor due to LRA related insecurity. This is particularly so for some 6,000 households who fled the usually high production area in the Imotong Mountains. ACF-USA opened a therapeutic feeding center in Old Fangak. UNICEF is providing therapeutic feeding supplies and drugs to cover the needs of an estimated 200 severely malnourished children for a period of six months.

4. Upcoming events

The multi agency Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) is currently in the planning stage. The assessment, led by WFP is expected to begin in mid September and continue until mid- November.

An information campaign for refugees will begin on 1 August 2002 until 31 December. UNHCR and the GoS will conduct this campaign to inform refugees about repatriation activities and their related rights. This campaign will take place through the mass media and primarily targets the urban refugee caseload estimated at 218,000.

A second round of IGAD peace talks are scheduled to begin on Monday 12 August 2002.

The new Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator (south) and the Head of the OCHA office in Nairobi are expected to take up their respective posts early in August.

An UNMAS Technical Advisor is expected to take up his position in southern Sudan (Rumbek) on 28 August. The UNMAS Chief Technical Advisor and the new MRE Officer will accompany the new staff to southern sector.

Map on Southern Sudan - GOS air denied locations Jul 2002

Disclaimer

UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
To learn more about OCHA's activities, please visit https://www.unocha.org/.