Access Issues
Air Operations
During the reporting period four C-130 Hercules and three Buffalo aircraft operated out of Lokichokio, and one C-130 Hercules and one Ilyushin-76 operated out of El Obeid and Khartoum respectively to deliver food aid to 14 locations across the Southern Sector of OLS. 165,875 targeted beneficiaries in Riang Aketh, Malualkon, Akuem, Ajak, Thiek Thou, Alek, Yirol, Mayen Abun in Bahr Al Ghazal; Beneshowa, Paliau, Pabuong in Upper Nile; Lonyangachor, Nanyangachor and Naita in Equatoria received WFP food aid.
SECURITY
Field Security Officer (FSO) and Field Security Assistant (FSA) paid an orientation visit to Wau from 22-26 November. The town was quiet excepting some gunfire during night time. The trains are out of Wau and are now reported to be approximately 35 km south of Aweil at a section of broken track.
There has been an attack on a pipeline which carries refined oil from Port Sudan to Khartoum. The attack took place 7km north of Erkowit, which is 120 km south west of Port Sudan on 27 November 1999. Repair is underway to the 2-metre hole. No responsibility for the attack has been claimed as yet.
A protest is being carried out in front of the UNDP Compound in Khartoum, in the form of a hunger strike by three Russian nationals, who claim their Sudanese counterparts have not honoured their financial and business obligations. The three men had previously visited the compound to protest two weeks earlier, when their case in the form of two documents in arabic were forwarded to UNNY as they requested. The strike began early Saturday 27 November 1999 and continues despite the three being advised that the matters should be settled by the Sudanese Government and their embassy.
On 24 November Jiech was put at security level three following tension between the Lou and Gower.
The New Cush/Natinga road remained insecure and closed to OLS agencies.
It is reported that fighting has intensified around Bentiu and about 14,000 Nuers from around Mankien have been displaced to Thiek Thou in Bahr Al Ghazal.
DELIVERIES, DISTRIBUTIONS & INTERVENTIONS
Food Distribution
WFP begun food distribution on 26 November targeting 13,992 internally displaced persons and 21,000 resident community in Thiek Thou.
During the week, 5 MTs of food commodities were distributed to 1,200 malnourished children attending the supplementary feeding programme in Laya and Gos es Salam IDP camps in Kosti. The food was distributed by partners, the Sudan council of Churches (SCC) and Islamic African Relief Agency (IARA). WFP also released 3 MTs of assorted food for 200 malnourished children admitted in the hospital through a 40-day programme. In Um Kuraa, WFP and MSF-Holland provided 3 MTs of food to cover rations for one month to kalaazar inpatients.
2,588 beneficiaries in Malakal received 5 MTs of food during the week. They comprised in-patient children, primary school pupils and workers in food for work schemes. In Shagharab IDP camp in Kassala, WFP distributed 24 MTs to 1,583 beneficiaries. Food amounting to 52 MTs was also distributed to 3,188 beneficiaries at Fatu camp. Meetings were held at both camps with community representatives to discuss food for work (FFW) schemes. The community prioritised the building of a primary school. The Fatu camp IDP representatives are preparing a proposal in conjunction with schoolteachers to build a school through food for work.
SCF-USA, UNHCU and the Ministry of Engineering in Kadugli are finalizing a FFW project proposal to clear canals in order to avoid future floods. WFP has already earmarked food as part of an emergency food for work programme in collaboration with SCF-USA to rebuild trenches in order to prevent floods in Kadugli town.
UNICEF Juba delivered vegetable seeds and 30 rakes to 30 farming families in Bahr El Jebel State.
Emergency Response
UNICEF delivered vaccines for the second round of Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) acceleration to South Jonglei (Bor) to enable health staff in Bor cover the target population with six antigens and tetanus toxoid (TT) for women.
UNICEF delivered 950 kg of essential drugs to Bor, Pibor, Bentiu, Nasir, Maker, Magok and Ayod in Unity State and Jonglei State to benefit 35,000 people in need of such services. UNICEF Nutritionist visited Bor and Bentiu during the week.
In Wau, UNICEF released one essential drugs kit to ACF and non-food items to Comboni Sisters and SCF-UK.
Water & Sanitation
UNICEF Juba constructed one platform in Juba teaching hospital and converted one school bucket latrine to improved traditional latrine. Training of trainers benefiting 14 participants from the three Mahalias of Juba started on 25 November 1999.
UNICEF rehabilitated 14 hand pumps, converted one well, drilled one new well at Baryar camp in Wau, supported three household pit latrines, constructed two communal pit latrines at Baryar camp and dug seven communal pit latrines at Mamoi and Marial Ajith.
Awareness and Public Education
A gender programming workshop for project staff was completed in El Obeid during the week. It comprised 14 national and international WFP staff, mainly from the field, as well as 6 counterparts and NGOs from Kordofan. Fieldwork was performed for one day to actualize the use of PRA tools in a gender-sensitive manner.
UNICEF Malakal conducted Water and Sanitation Knowledge Attitude and Practice (KAP) training from 24 - 26 November 1999. The training was attended by 22 participants from Malakal, Khor Fulus, New Fanjak, Nasir and Bor in Unity and Jonglei.
ASSESSMENTS
A joint rapid assessment team from UNICEF, WFP and World Vision is on ground in Thiek Thou to assess the situation and recommend interventions. All emergency needs will be addressed immediately while the assessment is in progress. Meanwhile OLS carried out food and non-food interventions in Wicok, Boaw, Nhialdiu. Wicok, Boaw, Nhialdiu.
A security assessment by WFP to inspect accessibility to IDPs in areas north and south of Kassala town took place in Kassala area during the week. A report on the assessment is being prepared.
Crop Production Training
UNICEF Project Field Monitor and the Director General of Agriculture conducted training in Raga in Wau for 30 participants representing the department of agriculture and beneficiaries from the various locations, on agricultural extension and crop husbandry for major local crops. In addition, mobilization and on-farm training started this week.
Consolidated Appeal
The United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan launched the Consolidated Appeal on 23 November stressing that that the needs and vulnerability of the people in Africa are greater than elsewhere in the world. The year 2000 Appeal launched in Geneva is requesting $ 2.4 billion for 34 million people world wide, 20 million of whom are in Africa. Out of the US $2.4 billion, eight UN Agencies in Sudan require US$ 125.6 million for twenty-four projects. The Sudan appeal also includes twenty-nine projects amounting to US$ 18.5 million from nine Humanitarian Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) and a US $10 million multi-sectoral programme for the Nuba Mountains. Participating Organisations include UNICEF, WFP, WHO, OCHA, FAO, UNFPA, UNDP, and NGOs.
Household Food Security
The Household Food Security Co-ordination meeting held in Lokichokio on 24-25 November shared the seed, tool and fishing equipment needs as derived from the Annual Needs Assessment with NGOs and counterparts. During the meeting, NGOs announced the counties and payams they would be operating in next year.
Health matters
The Sabah children hospital communicable disease report indicated 268 malaria cases with two deaths, ten acute gastro-enteritis cases, 22 acute respiratory infection (ARI) cases, one tuberculosis case and one cerebral spinal meningitis (CSM) case.
INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS
WFP reports that in Khartoum, UN and NGOs are finalising plans to resettle IDPs in areas where they will be eligible for basic services as well as land tenure. They are awaiting detailed schedules from the Government to commence developmental support activities to help ensure sustained livelihood for the IDPs.
OTHER OLS ISSUES
Mission
Mr. Philippe Borel, UN Resident Coordinator, UNDP Resident Representative, UN Coordinator for Emergency and Relief Operations in the Sudan and UNIC Director, will be absent from Khartoum on official mission from 5 to 7 December 1999. During Mr. Borel's absence, Mr. Omar Salah Ahmed, FAO Representative will be acting as UN Resident Coordinator. Mr. Bayani Aguirre, UNDP Country Director will be the Resident Representative in charge of the UNDP office and will assume the responsibilities of Officer-in-charge of UNIC. Mr. Thomas Ekvall, UNICEF Representative will assume the responsibilities of Officer-in-charge of the UN Emergency and Relief Operations in the Sudan as well as the responsibilities of Designated Official.
Mr. Maxwell Gaylard, UNHCU Chief is absent from Khartoum from 5 to 7 December 1999. During Mr. Gaylard's absence, Mr. Salem Mezhoud, UNHCU Deputy Chief is Officer-in-Charge.
Meetings
A meeting of the Unity State Emergency Response Team (ERT) took place on 2 December 1999 at the Médecins Sans Frontières-Holland office. Issues dealt with included situation in Unity State, population movements and Agency/NGO Update.