Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Needs Assessment: Rann / Kala-Balge LGA – 9 January 2017

After an initial helicopter recce and security assessment mission to Rann on 22 December, the first Multi-Sector Initial Rapid Humanitarian Needs Assessment was initially organised for the 30 DEC 16.
Due to an attack against Rann, this mission had to be postponed and took eventually place on the 9 JAN 17. Technical representatives of the health, nutrition, WASH, food security, shelter and protection sectors were part of the assessment team.
Participants: Health/Nutrition (WHO, UNICEF), WASH (UNICEF), Food Security (WFP), Protection / Child Protection / Education (UNICEF), CivMilCoord (OCHA), Shelter/CCM/DTM (IOM)
Demographics Precise information about the current overall and IDP population is Rann is difficult to obtain. The military spoke about 45,000 overall population including an unknown number of IDP. The ICRC distributed recently 4,000 two-weeks household rations of food to the overall community of Rann (~ 24,000 people). The ICRC/NRCS has apparently conducted a registration exercise. According to the DTM colleague, who spoke with the Bulamas, the population might be around 35,000. The vast majority of people hail from Rann and Daima Abori Wards of Kala Balge LGA (2 out of 10 wards).
Important to mention is that there are two major groups living currently in Rann. Whilst the Kanuri speaking population (31,579) are living in the town’s centre (“Rann IDP site”), the Shoa speaking families are occupying the destroyed General Hospital (2,020 IDP) and the neighbouring equally destroyed Boarding Primary School (1,700 IDP). It is evident that any response has to include both groups.
Influx of new IDP arrivals was reported from the Bama LGA area (500 since the beginning of January).