1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Against a backdrop of abject poverty, marginalisation and absence of development in most areas in Sudan, the conflict in Darfur has created an estimated three million vulnerable people (half the population), including almost two million internally displaced persons (IDPs). The legacy of the North-South conflict is another four million IDPs, including around two million currently in Khartoum. Particularly in the South, assistance continues to be impeded due to a lack of roads and a paralysing rainy season.
Despite the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA), it is expected that the overall humanitarian needs in Sudan will largely stay the same, if not increase. Sudan remains one of the countries in the world bearing an extremely high burden of humanitarian and other needs.
In 2005, DG ECHO has increased the initially programmed EUR 51 million in response to the protracted humanitarian crises in Sudan by EUR 15 million in order to respond to the complex humanitarian emergency in Darfur. In 2005, DG ECHO has also responded to the influx of Sudanese refugees into Chad due to the Darfur conflict with a separate decision amounting to EUR 12 million. A similar amount is foreseen for 2006.
Additional funds may be mobilised before the end of 2005 in response to the population returns to South Sudan. Operations financed under these additional funds shall run well into 2006 and shall complement this Global Plan (GP).
The main objective of this GP is to provide assistance to Sudan to save lives among the most vulnerable, needy populations. Additionally, DG ECHO support aims to stabilise conditions of people and communities with severely strained coping mechanisms and, whenever possible, contribute to a gradual process of recovery by enhancing selfreliance. DG ECHO will continue to cover the whole territory with a neutral and independent approach, in accordance to needs whilst respecting internationally recognised humanitarian principles. DG ECHO will continue to liaise with other Commission services and donors with the aim of encouraging implementation of the Commission policy of Linking Relief Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD) whenever possible.
DG ECHO's strategy for 2006 includes three specific objectives. The first objective aims at reducing excess mortality and morbidity through integrated and primarily life saving assistance. The second one aims at improving the humanitarian and operational environment through country-wide operations promoting respect for International Humanitarian Law (IHL) and humanitarian principles (HP). Lastly, the third objective foresees maintaining a technical assistance capacity in the field.
The present GP proposes interventions in Sudan for a total value of EUR 40 million. The duration of the decision should be of 18 months, starting from 1 January 2006. The Plan includes the necessary flexibility in order to ensure appropriate and prompt response to changing circumstances in 2006.