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UNICEF Sudan Humanitarian Situation Report, September 2018

Attachments

Highlights

  • Over 11,000 people have been affected by a Chikungunya virus outbreak in Kassala and nearby districts in September. The Government of Sudan, WHO, UNICEF and humanitarian partners rapidly scaled up the humanitarian response to contain the outbreak.
  • UNICEF and partners continue to deliver psychosocial support services through Child Friendly Spaces (CFSs), mobile teams and home visits to 17,091 children. This month also marks the beginning of the communication campaign to prevent the recruitment and association of children with armed forces and armed groups.
  • A total of 185,550 flood-affected people, including 94,630 children gained improved access to a basic water supply through the disinfection of domestic water supplies in Central Darfur (Um Dukhun) and Kassala states.
  • 81,001 children under-five supported to access the Integrated Management of Childhood Illnesses (IMCI) services, 37,357 children were admitted for Severe Acute Malnutrition (SAM) treatment, 69,911 mothers and care givers were counselled on the recommended Infant and Young Child Feeding (IYCF) practices.

Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs

In September, more than 11,000 people in Kassala, eastern Sudan, were affected by Chikungunya virus. Most cases were recorded in Kassala, the state capital, and the others is mainly centred in the areas of western El Gash, and some districts of eastern El Gash. A fewer number of cases were reported at the end of the month from the Red Sea state. No deaths have been recorded from either state up to 26 September. The outbreak followed the recent heavy rains which pummelled wide areas and led to major flooding and damage in Kassala state. The Federal Ministry of Health (MoH), State MoH, Federal and State Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), WHO, UNICEF and other humanitarian partners scaled up the response to contain the outbreak essentially caused by mosquitoes.

A rapid interagency assessment led by OCHA took place on 3 September in Golo – central Jebel Marra to assess the rapid rise in the number of displaced people arriving from east Jebel Marra in South Darfur state since June. 442 displaced households in Golo and its surroundings, of these, 245 households have been relocated from Golo Primary School into seven locations within Golo town. The majority of the displaced are women and children. All the internally displaced persons (IDP) are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance including education, protection, health, nutrition, water and sanitation. In addition to the IDPs in local communities (145,841), recent returnees (47,943) are also highly vulnerable given the protracted conflict, chronic poverty and recurring natural disasters and epidemics. There is need for humanitarian and recovery support in Golo across all populations. UNICEF has developed a response plan with a longer-term view which bridges the humanitarian-development-peace nexus. The plan also focuses on community engagement and empowerment to help drive change, reduce vulnerability, build resilience and achieve social cohesion.

UNICEF, WFP, UNHCR and the African Development Bank (AFDB) are providing joint support to the Commission on Social Safety Net and Poverty Reduction to undertake a rapid assessment on the impact of the economic crisis on the urban population, with an initial focus on Khartoum state. The assessment used a mixed method approach, with a survey of approximately 500 households and more than 80 focus group discussions with people from across Sudanese society. The data collection was completed at the end of September and data analysis and report writing are currently underway. Preliminary results of the assessment will be available in mid-October and are expected to inform policy advocacy, interventions and resource mobilization by the UN system and beyond.

The assessment has provided an excellent platform for UN collaboration as well as the Government-UN partnership. UNICEF through the MENA Regional Office’s support has engaged senior researchers from the International Policy Centre for Inclusive Growth (IPCIG), a think tank affiliated with the Government of Brazil and UNDP to undertake an analysis of possible options and scenarios for scaling up social protection services and mechanisms. An initial mission is scheduled to take place during the final week of October.