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Sudan: Population Movement - Emergency Plan of Action (EPoA) (MDRSD019)

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A. Situation analysis

Description of the disaster The conflict in South Sudan that started on 15 December 2013 has caused fatalities and displacement among the civilian population. People have been wounded and many have fled their homes, of which some have crossed the borders to neighboring countries, including fleeing to Sudan. Until now, despite a ceasefire agreement, insecurity remains in South Sudan, causing continued displacement and uncertainty for people, influencing their decisions not to return home yet. This translates into an increase in the humanitarian assistance demand. Latest figures suggests that more than 700,000 internally displaced and almost 150,000 persons that have fled into neighboring countries. Sudan has up to date received more than 20,000 persons, of which most are received in White Nile State.

In the border region with South Sudan, several reception centers have been established in the states of South Kordofan, West Kordofan, White Nile, Blue Nile, East Darfur and Khartoum. Locations for reception centers have been allocated by the lead agencies in the interventions, namely the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and the Commission of Refugees (COR) at national and state level. The reception centers hosting the displaced population are located in areas primarily inhabited by subsistence farmers, with limited access to health facilities and safe water.

Most of the arrivals are women, children and the elderly. Although Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) are present in all affected states, efforts have been concentrated in White Nile State, where most of the displaced populations are received. According to SRCS, as of 17 February 2014, the two reception centers Al Kwaik Kilo 10 (hereinafter Kilo 10) and Alagaya (Goda) in White Nile State hosts a total of 13,965 persons of which the majority is unaccompanied minors, pregnant or lactating women and elderly. Due to the limited service available to the displaced in terms of shelter, safe water and health facilities, many of the arrivals have expressed a wish to continue to urban environments such as Kosti and Khartoum.

Based on the steady influx of new arrivals and the on-going insecurity in South Sudan, especially in the states bordering White Nile and Blue Nile states, the numbers of people crossing the border are expected to continue to increase. The most recent report from SRCS indicates around 300 daily new arrivals in Sudan majority of who are entering White Nile State. Due to the pending decision of the classification of the displaced population, SRCS is currently the main actor on the ground, who is able to respond to the emergency.

SRCS have been transporting arrivals from the border to reception centers in five trucks and four land cruisers. After registration, the arrivals are hosted in the reception centers where SRCS have been providing tarpaulins (provided by UNHCR) and tents (own stock) for shelter. The refugees arrive with very limited or no household belongings.

There is an urgent need to support SRCS in their emergency intervention. Pending the classification of the arrivals, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) is still in discussion with the government around potential involvement. SRCS is in the process of revising the complex emergency appeal being implemented in the same geographical areas as the areas being affected by the influx of people arriving from South Sudan. However, as the appeal in its current form focus on already identified internally displaced persons within Sudan, a revision is needed for SRCS to be able to mobilize additional resources to cover also the new arrivals from South Sudan with the appeal. Until the revision is being done, there is a need to support SRCS in their immediate emergency response efforts to assist the refugees from South Sudan.