Key Developments:
USGs Brahimi, Guehenno, and Pronk visited North Darfur. After briefings in el-Fasher, the group met with Suleyman Jamus (SLM focal point for humanitarian affairs), and then with General Okonkwo of AMIS. The group then visited Abu Shouk IDP camp before meeting with the Wali of North Darfur.
On 14 May, PDSRSG Zerihoun and the Force Commander, Maj-Gen Akbar, met with the Defence Minister of Uganda in Khartoum. Discussions during the meeting focused on issues related to UNMIS personnel transitting through Uganda on their way to South Sudan.
Security Issues:
North Darfur: On 14 May, the village of Um Sayala was reportedly attacked on 9 May by a group of armed tribesmen. During the attack, 435 sheep and goats were reportedly looted.
South Darfur: On 14 May, the AU reported an alleged armed militia attack at about 20 km east of Karamje during which 2 shepherds were killed, 2 members of SLA were declared missing and some livestock were allegedly stolen and taken to Shaeria.
West Darfur: The AU reported on 14 May that, according to the GoS Police Commander in Selea village, a group of nomads stole 25 cows/121 goats and sheep on 7 May. The police found one man dead and 3 others injured. More police patrols were dispatched to the area to trace the stolen animals but the returned without success. Investigations will continue into the incident.
On 14 May, a report was received claiming that an attack occurred on 12 May on Laggi road in Nertiti area. One man was killed and another was injured.
Southern Sudan: FHQ reported on 14 May that the recently reported fighting in the area of Yirol in southern Beg was between the Ciec Dinka and the Aliab Dinka fighting against the Atuot Dinka over cattle and goat looting and grazing lands. Initial reports indicate as many as 43 people on all sides were killed. The SPLA say they have the situation under control and that some of the stolen property has, under their direction, been returned. An unspecified number of Dinka have been displaced to the east of the Bahr El Jebel River.
Protection Issues:
North Darfur: On 13 May, UNICEF held an orientation session on the Convention on the Rights of the Child for 30 new AMIS CivPol personnel.
Reports from victims of rape and beatings in Kebkabiya indicate that violence is assuming a new economic dimension. It seems that women found collecting wood are reportedly beaten, raped and consistently told to buy wood from the nomadic merchants in Kebkabiya centre. When the victims claim that they have no money to buy the firewood, they are told to ask money from the foreigners.
West Darfur: Terre des Hommes is planning to hold a fire prevention workshop in Riyad due to three fires in which 145 shelters have been destroyed. The target group will be IDPs. Fuel efficient stove training will be incorporated to introduce further prevention measures.
Political Affairs:
The Eastern Front has announced that it will attend the forthcoming Cairo negotiations between the GoS and the National Democratic Alliance (NDA), but only under observer status. Despite earlier hurdles, Eastern Front representatives have now agreed to start a separate negotiation track with the GoS, due to be launched in Nairobi around 19 May.
Civil Affairs
On 11 May, Civil Affairs in Nyala met with the Executive Committee of the Farmers Trade Union. The committee explained that it is essential for the government to help resettle IDPs when the conflict is over, rehabilitate destroyed villages, and agree on how to share scarce natural resources between herders and farmers. The committee is currently working with the government to help provide IDPs with farming equipment, seeds and shelter. However, they indicated that only a reorganized security force that includes all Darfurians could provide the security needed by IDPs to restart their lives.
Humanitarian Affairs:
Food/NFIs
South Sudan: As of 14 May, the Upper Nile inter-agency cross-line mission completed distribution in 9 locations out of the 23 in the Malakal-Tonga corridor. The total number of people who received food distribution is 15,195 in locations as far as Deil. Out of this group, one third live in GoS areas and the remaining are in SPLM locations. Distributions are ongoing in Dor and Atar and the mission will be moving on to New Fanjak. The number of beneficiaries is higher than expected as more returnees have arrived than had been anticipated.
North Darfur: On 12 May, Relief International started a general food distribution in Dali camp, two km outside Tawilla. According to the NGO approximately 80% of IDPs have returned back to Dali camp after the majority of population had fled from the area at the beginning of April due to a security incident. Reportedly the camp of Jebel Si is still empty. As of 12 May, OXFAM completed NFI distributions for approximately 30,000 individuals in Tawilla town and Dali camp.
The SRC and WFP registration exercise in Abu Shouk camp on 2 May is now considered finalized. Nearly 70,000 individuals were registered with an estimated 17,919 new arrivals. As a result of the successful headcount process, a fairly smooth food distribution exercise began in the camp during the week of 8-14 May. On 12 May OXFAM, ACF, IRC and WHO, in collaboration with SMoH, started today a three day hygiene promotion workshop in Abu Shouk camp, which will involve 210 volunteers.
South Darfur: On 8 May, CARE, WFP, IOM and OCHA travelled to Kass to meet with the local sheikhs to find a way to undertake a registration following persistent refusals for completing one in the area. All parties agreed that CARE and WFP will provide food to the beneficiaries as soon as possible including any new arrivals; subsequent to the distribution, area sheikhs will work closely with CARE and WFP to conduct a new head count with the AU and unarmed civilian police providing security.
General
South Darfur: The new Commissioner for Kass was appointed during the week of 8-14 May. First introductions with the humanitarian community were positive and supported the ongoing activities of the agencies. The governor reiterated that he would not play a part in a forced relocation and said he encouraged the integration of IDPs in Kass and would also give them the liberty to return to their villages of origin.
From 11-13 May, a joint OCHA-UNICEF assessment mission took place in parts of Edd al Fursan. Members of the team assessed the current humanitarian situation in IDP impacted areas of Um Labassa, Habuba, Dagadoussa and Kubum. The mission found that there are currently 6,473 IDPs being assisted together with some 13,100 host community residents. CARE is distributing food while NCA, ACT and CARITAS are providing assistance in other sectors such as supplementary feeding for vulnerable groups, water/sanitation, health/nutrition, education and NFIs.
West Darfur: On 15 May, a UNICEF-led nutrition survey with MoH, SC-US and Concern was halted at Krinding II camp in Geneina. Upon arrival the group was met by sheikhs, who told them they did not want food assistance and were told to leave the camp. The humanitarians attempted to discuss the situation but were subsequently escorted out by 50 IDPs wielding sticks. The UNICEF-planned survey of all Geneina town camps has been suspended until further notice.
Health
West Darfur: Two cases of meningitis have been confirmed in Abu Saroug, Kulbus locality. The area was declared an outbreak area as WHO, MoH, and Medair will start next week a meningitis vaccination for some 19,600 beneficiaries between 2 -- 30 years. 60,000 doses of meningitis vaccine will arrive on 21 May. Additionally, WES is drilling a new water point in response to the increase of Hepatitis E cases in the area.
ICRC will phase out its operations at Zalingei Hospital by the end of May. For the next few months, ICRC will be present in the hospital to support in the delivery of a three-month medical supply for inpatients and also payment of incentives for staffers. In case of major intervention, ICRC's surgical team will be present for necessary action.
Health facilities operating in Zalingei area IDP camps indicate an increase in the number of those seeking medical attention in OPDs in camps compared to April. This is a result of a growing number of vulnerable people among town dwellers who are seeking free medical care from aid organizations in camps. This sudden redirection of health care seekers to camps has risen since the Zalingei hospital rendered applicable official tariffs for medical services and access fees for visiting patients. The hospital management indicated that IDPs and vulnerable groups have free access to healthcare. On 11 May the Commissioner of Zalingei requested NGOs to report any evidence that the hospital do not abide to this regulation
Returns
South Sudan: 1,217 returnees are currently staying at Diem Zubeir primary school in Western Bahr El Ghazal on their way to their home villages in the area. UNICEF and ICRC have pre-positioned non-food items and WFP is to bring food from Raja in the coming two days. FAO will provide seeds and tools before so that distribution may begin.
South Darfur: The influx of returnees from Nyala to Garsila continues in spite of several meetings with the HAC in Nyala and Garsila. On 10 May, 40 IDPS from Kalma arrived in Garsila. Additionally, 20 returnee families were reported to OCHA as having arrived in Zalingei from Nyala on 12 May; this information still to be confirmed. The international relief agencies were not informed about these movements.