Attachments
1. Background
Since the conflict erupted between Sudan Armed Force (SAF) and Rapid Support Force (RSF) in mid-April, people have been displaced in River Nile State with majority residing with the host communities while others have been residing in gathering sites, majority of which are schools. There have efforts to reopen schools in the State leading to relocation of displaced to other facilities. Consequently, village 6 was identified by the state authorities to host displaced families. Following consultations between humanitarian partners, State Humanitarian Aid Commissioner (HAC) and State Ministry of Social Affairs, an interagency assessment mission was conducted to village 6 in El Damer locality on 27 November,2023. The assessment team included various ministries and cooperations of River Nile State, United Nations (UN) agencies, International non-governmental organizations (INGOs) and local NGOs totaling 29, out of which18 were female 65 per cent. Discussions were held in the general meeting with the community’s representative at the village upon arrival of the assessment team prior to breakdown into various sectors.
A preparatory meeting was conducted at the HAC office in Al Damer where the participants greed on the priorities, and reporting timeline. Amongst the priorities highlighted were the urgent need for the provision of drinking water, electricity supply, food distribution and education related interventions linked to the protection concerns.
Village 6 is located at Al Damer locality 20 km southeast of Atbara town within River Nile state, with fertile farming land exceeding 36,000 feddan bordering village 5, village 4 and village 3. Village 6 was built to compensate the affected communities of Marawi Dam, with a total of 1722 houses. However, village 6 was never occupied by the communities from Marawi dam and has now provided shelter for displaced persons due the conflict. Out of 1722 houses, only 600 houses are occupied at the time of the assessment with 600 Internally displaced persons (IDPs) household with a total of 3161 individuals. All the IDPs came to the village as result of the ongoing war between Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid support forces (RSF) that started on 15 April 2023. As per community report, 30 per cent of currently inhabitants of village 6 are the original landowners and the rest 70 per cent are IDPs.
The he majority of the IDPs population who arrived at the village 6 are women without their head of household.
They mentioned that the men either died during the war or remained behind due to security concern. About 80 per cent of IDPs’ livelihood was farming, and the rest are Government employees. However due to ongoing conflict, the employees did not receive their salaries payments since April. There are three Schools and Health and Nutrition Center. Since the IDPs arrived they have received support from Save the Children running the hospital, Family organization, Al Hegra NGO, Alensan and IOM distributed non-food items and food basket to them.
The main factors that triggered the IDPs to come to village 6 is the conflict, level of security and safety at the area, and the existing building and health services in the area. The IDPs community did not go through any Government registration since their arrival in July 2023. At least 5 per cent indicated to be suffering of chronic diseases moved outside the seeking for their medicines. Some 30 per cent of the IDPs plan to stay for three to six months while 70 per cent will stay permanently if water and other essential services are provided in the area.