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Sudan – Complex Emergency
Situation Report #13, - (FY) 2009 September 30, 2009
Background
In 2009, Sudan continues to cope with the effects of conflict, displacement, and insecurity countrywide. Since 2003, a
complex emergency in Sudan’s western region of Darfur has affected more than 4.7 million people, including nearly 2.7
million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Darfur, conflict continues among armed opposition factions, the
Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), militias, and ethnic groups. According to the U.N., between January and mid-May
2009, violence newly displaced approximately 137,000 individuals in Darfur. Simultaneously, humanitarian agencies
have experienced reduced access to affected populations since 2006 due to increased insecurity, targeted attacks against
aid workers, and bureaucratic impediments to program implementation.
The National Congress Party (NCP) and the southern-based Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) continue to
implement the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) through the joint Government of National Unity (GNU).
The formation of the GNU officially ended more than two decades of north–south conflict. During the conflict, famine,
fighting, and disease killed more than 2 million people, forced an estimated 500,000 Sudanese to seek refuge in
neighboring countries, and displaced an additional 4 million individuals within Sudan. The U.N. estimates that since
2005, more than 2.2 million people have returned to Southern Sudan and the Three Areas of Southern Kordofan, Blue
Nile, and Abyei, straining scarce resources and weak infrastructure. In eastern Sudan, the GNU and the Eastern Front
opposition coalition signed the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement in 2006. However, humanitarian needs persist in the
area, which has experienced slow recovery following decades of conflict.
Since March 2009, humanitarian agencies have encountered reduced access to affected populations in Darfur and the
Three Areas following the GNU-mandated expulsion of 13 international organizations and closure of three national
humanitarian agencies. Remaining humanitarian organizations, in coordination with the Sudanese government, have
initiated numerous short-term measures and expanded existing programs and areas of operation to prevent a rapid
deterioration of humanitarian conditions in northern Sudan.
The U.S. Government (USG) is the largest bilateral donor to Sudan and has contributed approximately $4.5 billion for
humanitarian programs in Sudan and eastern Chad since FY 2004. The USG continues to support the implementation
of the CPA and joins the international community in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur. On October
16, 2008, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez renewed the disaster declaration for the complex emergency in
Sudan for FY 2009.
NUMBERS AT A GLANCE
| IDP's in Sudan |
| From Southern Sudan |
2.7 million |
UNHCR1 – 10/08 |
| In Darfur |
2.7 million |
OCHA – 01/09 |
| In Eastern Sudan |
168,000 |
U.N – 09/07 |
| Sudanese Refugees |
| From Darfur |
268,000 |
UNHCR – 6/09 |
| From Southern Sudan |
138,270 |
UNHCR – 2/09 |
| Returnees to Southern Sudan |
327,984 |
UNHCR – 8/09 |
| Refugees in Sudan |
| From Eritrea, Chad, Ethiopia, Democratic Republic of the
Congo (DRC), and other nations: |
280,000 |
UNHCR – 06/09 |
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FY 2009 HUMANITARIAN FUNDING PROVIDED TO DATE
| USAID/OFDA Assistance to Sudan and eastern Chad |
$149,652,775 |
| USAID/FFP3 Assistance to Sudan and eastern Chad |
$680,331,500 |
| State/PRM4 Assistance to Sudan and eastern Chad |
$106,966,751 |
| Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Sudan and eastern Chad |
$936,951,026 |
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CURRENT SITUATION IN DARFUR
Insecurity and attacks targeting humanitarian workers
continue to hinder the provision of humanitarian
assistance to affected populations in Darfur. Relief
agencies continue to monitor food security, access to
safe drinking water, and population movement
throughout Darfur and to provide food and non-food
assistance to affected populations.
On September 12 and 13 the U.S. Special Envoy to
Sudan, Major General J. Scott Gration (Ret.), visited
Abu Shouk and Zam Zam IDP camps, as well as Ain
Siro village and El Fasher town in North Darfur to
meet with IDP leaders, women, humanitarian agencies,
and the African Union–U.N. Hybrid Operations in
Darfur (UNAMID) Force Commander.
Security and Humanitarian Access
Attacks on relief workers continue to impede
humanitarian access throughout the three Darfur states.
Between January 1 and September 28, assailants killed
7 national humanitarian staff and 4 UNAMID
personnel, assaulted 26 humanitarian and 5 UNAMID
staff, and kidnapped 11 national humanitarian staff,
according to OCHA. In addition, bandits attacked 103
humanitarian facilities and 22 UNAMID structures,
and confiscated 64 humanitarian and 31 UNAMID
vehicles.
During August and September, several nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) postponed
assessment missions to Zalingei town, West Darfur,
due to security concerns following the August
kidnapping of two UNAMID international staff. As of
September 30, two international staff members from
the NGO GOAL, kidnapped nearly three months ago,
and two UNAMID international staff members
remained hostage.
On September 17, the U.N. reported that the SAF had
attacked armed opposition group Sudan Liberation
Army/Abdul Wahid (SLA/AW) strongholds in Korma
village, located approximately 70 km northwest of El
Fasher, North Darfur. On September 29, the North
Darfur State governor reported a calm security
situation in North Darfur. As of September 30,
humanitarian staff remain without regular access to
Korma; however, U.N. staff recently assessed
conditions in nearby Tawilla, reporting food and nonfood
item needs for populations newly displaced from
Korma. Humanitarian staff continue to coordinate a
potential response noting that staff cannot assess the
extent of displacement and humanitarian needs without
increased access to the affected area.
Food Security and Emergency Food Assistance
On September 28, the U.N. World Food Program
(WFP) published the organization’s Third Round of
Food Security Monitoring System (FSMS) Reports,
following FSMS assessments during August.
According to the reports, food consumption is stable
and food security has increased throughout Darfur,
with the exception of host communities in West Darfur
that remain food-insecure due to significant food price
increases, high market dependency, and poor seasonal
rains. Daily labor opportunities and the
commencement of the agricultural season have
improved income for host and IDP communities in
North and South Darfur. In West Darfur, income
levels remain stable in IDP camps but have decreased
for local host communities. WFP noted that the
overall food security situation has improved in North
and South Darfur, as well as West Darfur IDP camps,
but deteriorated in West Darfur host communities.
Humanitarian partners continue to provide food
assistance to affected populations in Darfur. To date in
FY 2009, USAID/FFP has provided more than $405
million in food assistance to conflict-affected
populations in Darfur.
Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
Humanitarian organizations continue to provide safe
drinking water, sanitation facilities, and hygiene
services to populations throughout Darfur. Relief
agencies focus particular attention on highly populated
areas that experience added strain on existing
resources, including the local water table and hygiene
facilities.
Humanitarian staff continue to express concern
regarding the deterioration of sanitation and hygiene
services in Kass-area IDP camps in South Darfur. The
March NGO expulsions resulted in the departure of all
but one NGO working in Kass-area camps, seriously
disrupting provision of basic humanitarian services.
Since the expulsions, the GNU Office of Water and
Environmental Sanitation (WES), in cooperation with
the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has worked to
provide basic water and sanitation services; however,
WES lacks adequate sanitation and hygiene capacity.
USAID/OFDA has provided funding to support two
NGOs in commencing water, sanitation, and hygiene
projects in Kass-area IDP camps in the coming weeks.
The Kass area hosts an estimated 90,000 IDPs in 37
settlement sites and is home to approximately 35,000
host community residents.
On August 31, GNU WES reported significant
groundwater depletion in Al Salaam, Abu Shouk, and
Zam Zam IDP camps and noted that the camps are
located in drought-prone areas of North Darfur.
However, an additional joint UNICEF–WES
assessment in Zam Zam IDP camp indicated that preexisting
boreholes in the camp provided sufficient
water for the existing population and that additional
water tankering was no longer necessary. A joint
UNICEF–WES water quality test in nearby El Fasher
town indicated the contamination of a majority of open
wells as of late August 2009. A UNICEF, North
Darfur State Ministry of Health, U.N. World Health
Organization (WHO), and WES team plans to monitor
the application of chlorine in all open wells in El
Fasher town to ensure acceptable water quality
standards.
In FY 2009, USAID/OFDA has provided
approximately $13.7 million to support water,
sanitation, and hygiene programs throughout Darfur.
Population Movement and Returns
On September 15, the International Organization for
Migration (IOM) signed a Terms of Engagement with
the South Darfur Humanitarian Aid Commission. The
Terms of Engagement affirms IOMs primary role in
monitoring population movements and verifying the
voluntary and appropriate nature of returns in North
and South Darfur. The new agreement will permit
IOM to resume South Darfur population tracking and
returns verification activities suspended since
February.
From August 31 to September 4, IOM conducted a
second verification exercise of IDPs in Zam Zam IDP
camp and nearby Dar Al Salaam town in North Darfur.
The initial verification identified 17,000 people
currently residing in the Zam Zam IDP camp
extension, including recent arrivals from Dar Al
Salaam town. IOM completed verification of all 2009
IDP arrivals to the camp and plans to share the final
figures in coming weeks. The Zam Zam IDP camp
received an influx of approximately 30,000 IDPs in
early 2009, requiring a camp extension.
CURRENT SITUATION IN SUDAN,
EXCLUDING DARFUR
During September, humanitarian organizations
expressed concern regarding increasing inter-ethnic
conflict in Southern Sudan, noting a rise in attacks on
women and children, as well as the targeting of
homesteads. From September 14 to 20, USAID staff
met with humanitarian partners operating in Southern
Sudan to discuss the current situation and prospects for
the future. Partners noted that escalating insecurity has
adversely affected program implementation.
According to the U.N., inter-ethnic conflict in Jonglei,
Upper Nile, and Lakes states has killed more than
2,000 people and displaced approximately 250,000
others since January 2009.
In addition, members of the Lord’s Resistance Army
(LRA) have continued to attack civilian populations in
Southern Sudan, particularly in border towns near
DRC. According to the U.N. Deputy Resident
Humanitarian Coordinator for Southern Sudan, LRA
attacks have killed more than 180 people in Southern
Sudan since late July.
From September 9 to 11, the U.S. Special Envoy to
Sudan, Major General J. Scott Gration (Ret.), visited
Juba, Central Equatoria State, to participate in trilateral
talks with SPLM and NCP.
On September 17, USAID staff and additional donor
representatives visited Akobo County, Jonglei State
and noted increasing food needs among the local
population. According to WFP, Akobo County hosts
approximately 42,000 IDPs, including more than
20,000 people displaced due to inter-ethnic fighting in
recent months.
Security and Humanitarian Access
Ongoing inter-ethnic and LRA violence continues to
impede humanitarian access to affected populations
throughout Southern Sudan. On September 20,
members of the Lou Nuer ethnic group launched an
attack against Dinka ethnic group members in Duk
Padiet and Duk Payuel villages, located approximately
145 km north of Bor town, Jonglei State. According to
international media sources, the clashes killed 102
people, including 51 civilians. On September 30, the
U.N. reduced the security level in Duk Padiet to
Security Level 3, reflecting an improved security
environment. As of September 30, nearby Duk Payuet
remains at Security Level 4, designating the area as nogo
for humanitarian organizations.
According to the U.N., the LRA has carried out 11
attacks since early August, including seven attacks on
civilian populations in Southern Sudan, particularly
near Yambio, Western Equatoria State, in September,
causing population displacement. Officials note
particular concern regarding numerous kidnappings in
Western Equatoria State, which hosts more than
70,000 IDPs. Humanitarian organizations report that
the LRA has abducted 137 individuals in Western
Equatoria State since January 2009.
During September, UNHCR staff reported ongoing
discussions with the Western Equatoria State governor
and Government of Southern Sudan officials regarding
security operations and the potential relocation of
refugee populations from Ezo, Tambura, and Yubo
areas. Due to insecurity, Ezo town will likely remain
inaccessible to U.N. staff until October at the earliest,
and UNHCR has requested weekly monitoring trips to
the area in the interim. USAID/OFDA and State/PRM
staff continue to monitor the situation.
Agriculture and Food Security
According to USAID’s Famine Early Warning
Systems Network, a mid-August joint Government of
Sudan–U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO) crop assessment confirmed that below-normal
May–August rains have negatively impacted crop
performance across Southern Sudan. In addition,
annual September–December flooding in Southern
Sudan may increase potential for yield reduction,
especially for crops delayed by below-normal rains.
WFP continues to support food insecure populations in
Southern Sudan. Between August and December,
WFP emergency operations target 300,000 severely
food insecure people in the most vulnerable states in
Southern Sudan. In total, WFP plans to provide
102,000 metric tons (MT) of food to 1.3 million people
in Southern Sudan during 2009.
During a recent USAID field visit, WFP reported that
poor crop harvests and insecurity resulting in
displacement and crop abandonment have increased
the number of people in Jonglei State in need of full
food rations through December from approximately
508,000 to an estimated 674,000 individuals. Of the
166,000 additional people targeted for food aid in
Jonglei State, humanitarian agencies are unable to
reach 122,000 people by land and plan to access the
population via riverine transport or through airdrops.
On September 16, WFP barges delivered the first
shipment of food aid along the Sobat River to Akobo
County, Jonglei State, since attacks on WFP transport
in mid-June led to the suspension of all river traffic.
USAID staff visited Akobo County on September 17
and noted the arrival of commercial goods to Akobo
town. However, on September 17, fear of an imminent
attack prevented beneficiaries from collecting rations
during a scheduled WFP food distribution in Akobo
County, which was subsequently cancelled.
Nutrition
According to WFP, chronic food insecurity,
underdevelopment, and sporadic conflict have
contributed to increasing malnutrition rates in eastern
Sudan particularly in Kassala and Red Sea states.
Eastern Sudan also hosts substantial displaced
populations, including approximately 116,000 refugees
and an estimated 77,000 IDPs.
To improve food security in eastern Sudan,
USAID/OFDA supported FAO in distributing 140 MT
of sorghum and millet seeds, 1,760 kg of vegetable
seeds, and assorted agricultural tools to eastern Sudan
households during the 2009 planting season. FAO also
implemented animal restocking activities targeting 100
pastoralist families, particularly female-headed
households. Beneficiary households noted an
increased ability to provide milk to children since
project commencement.
Floods
Unusually heavy rainfall in late August resulted in
widespread flooding in Khartoum State, particularly
affecting Soba Aradi, Mayo, Jebel Aulia, and other
informal settlements largely occupied by IDPs from
Southern Sudan and Darfur. According to a joint
Sudanese government–humanitarian organization
assessment, the recent flooding affected more than
22,000 households and damaged or destroyed
approximately 6,700 latrines. In addition, local media
reports indicated that rainstorms had killed at least 14
people and caused the collapse of approximately 68
schools. On September 6, the Khartoum State
Ministry of Health requested humanitarian assistance
to respond to public health concerns due to damaged
and flooded latrines.
On September 23, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Robert E.
Whitehead declared a disaster due to the effects of
flooding in Khartoum State, northern Sudan.
USAID/OFDA provided $50,000 through
USAID/Sudan to Catholic Relief Services (CRS) to
support water, sanitation, and hygiene activities in
affected areas of Khartoum.
Population Movement and Returns
During July and August, IOM registered nearly
104,000 IDP returnees to Southern Sudan. More than
half of the individuals registered had returned to
Central Equatoria and Northern Bahr El Ghazal states.
Four late-August IOM village assessment reports
indicated that an estimated 200,000 returnees
experienced secondary displacement due to lack of
access to basic services and facilities such as safe
drinking water, healthcare, and education. In total,
IOM has recorded nearly 1.1 million spontaneous IDP
returns since February 2007. In FY 2009, USAID has
provided approximately $400,000 to IOM to support
the returns tracking program in Southern Sudan.
As of September 6, UNHCR and OCHA reported that
LRA violence had displaced approximately 85,000
people, including nearly 67,000 people displaced
primarily in Western Equatoria State and an estimated
18,000 refugees from DRC and Central African
Republic residing in Western Equatoria and Central
Equatoria states.
In FY 2009, USAID has provided approximately
$480,000 to IOM for the provision of emergency relief
supplies to people affected by LRA violence, as well
as more than $1.1 million to World Vision for health,
economic recovery and market systems, protection,
and agriculture and food security activities.
State/PRM has provided $750,000 to World Vision
and $984,000 to United Methodist Committee on
Relief (UMCOR) for refugee assistance in Western
Equatoria State and has contributed to UNHCR’s
refugee response in the region.
USAID Sudan Strategy Statement (pdf,469kb)
USAID Monthly Update - October 2009 (pdf,505kb)
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