Upper Nile Trip Report
USAID Sudan Trip Report
Upper Nile
November 2002
Background
The purpose of travel was to visit three locations in the Upper Nile region of southern Sudan to assess humanitarian conditions in the aftermath of the recent cessation of hostilities. The areas visited have historically suffered from conflict and insecurity, and have been consequently under-served by the international humanitarian effort. In all three areas the cessation of hostilities between the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Movement (SPLM) has had a positive, indirect impact on localized tribal tensions. Humanitarian needs in Upper Nile remain great, but there is some optimism following progress to date at Machakos, local peace initiatives, and efforts to secure wider humanitarian access to southern Sudan.
Central Upper Nile
Bieh State of Upper Nile has been very insecure for much of the last few years, largely due to conflict between Nuer factions and especially linked to the GOS-aligned militia of Simon Gatwich. Underlying sources of inter-clan tension among the Nuer include competition for grazing land and an overall lack of water for people and cattle. Since October, a local peace process has brought relative stability to the area. Local residents pointed to the successful completion of a recent WFP food distribution illustrative of the community-level commitment to peace. The merger of the two main southern Sudanese military factions, as well as progress in the larger peace process at Machakos, has added positive momentum to local reconciliation.
Since 1997 the USAID Office of Foreign Disaster Affairs (OFDA) has supported a Christian Mission Aid (CMA) Primary Health Care (PHC) program in Central Upper Nile. CMA has repeated problems in implementing its program due to insecurity (frequent evacuations of staff, and having to limit personnel and assets on the ground), but has managed to establish a strong program providing basic health care services and also referring patients to Kala Azar and TB programs run by MSF/Holland. CMA's program is the only PHC activity in Bieh State, and patients travel up to five days by foot to access the services.
Overall food security in Bieh State remains precarious, due in part to previous GOS-imposed flight bans on the area, which prevented delivery of relief supplies. Although crops were recently harvested, random visits to households surrounding Lankien Village indicated that food stocks will be insufficient to last through the year. WFP's annual needs assessment is currently underway and will provide a more comprehensive picture of the food security situation in the State and the region in the coming weeks.
Eastern Upper Nile
Conditions in Pagak, Latjor State, are similar to other parts of Upper Nile. Pagak has been the site of protracted insecurity from militia activities that have severely disrupted humanitarian assistance to the area. Currently, there is relative stability following agreements reached at a meeting between the SPLM State Commissioner (based in Maiwut) and various militia leaders. Local authorities noted that the Machakos Process has pressured southern factions to "speak with one voice." Given the relatively stable environment, NGOs now plan to return to the area to resume relief programs.
Population dynamics are difficult to track in southern Sudan, but it is clear that the Pagak area hosts a substantial number of both returnees (former Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia) and people displaced from farther North in Eastern Upper Nile (Udier, Chotbura, Malual). Estimated figures for returnees and IDPs vary widely, from 20,000 to more than 100,000. While returnees and IDPs have been largely absorbed by the local community, they place a significant additional burden on communities and are consequently priority candidates for OFDA-supported relief interventions. As more NGOs move into the region, more accurate information on populations in need of assistance will become available.
While in Pagak, the team observed the distribution of OFDA-sponsored non-food items (blankets, mosquito nets, and plastic sheeting), organized by Norwegian People's Aid (NPA). The distribution was well organized and well targeted to people in need of assistance. Recipient communities expressed gratitude for the support. NPA is working in Eastern Upper Nile with the indigenous Gajaak Relief and Development Organization (GARDO). GARDO provides a link to the local community, but is currently playing a limited role in actual distribution.
Western Upper Nile
NPA, with Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and Food for Peace Support (FFP) support, has also been providing emergency food and non-food assistance to the displaced in Western Upper Nile since April of this year. Leal (also known as "Chotchar") was established earlier this year by IDPs from Mayom and Rob Kona Counties, fleeing fighting around the oil fields near Bentiu. The flat, treeless area around Leal had been grazing land prior to the recent round of military attacks. As civilians were pushed farther South by GOS troops securing the oil fields, Leal became a semi-permanent settlement. IDPs have settled in a vast area around the Leal airstrip out of fear that a more dense settlement will attract attacks by GOS Antonov bombers or helicopter gunships.
Of particular concern is Leal's ability to sustain the current IDP population (estimated at around 20,000). The only current water source is a swamp over thirty minutes' walk from the settlement. The nearest borehole is over one day's walk away. Poor access to water and lack of other basic services have serious implications for both human and animal health. The current agreement to improve humanitarian access should allow for increased attention to the area, which will likely require emergency relief for the foreseeable future. The Chief of Nhaldieu (Mayom County), who is displaced with his sub-tribe in Leal, noted that the group may move to another area that has better access to water and is less exposed to raiding.
Conclusion
| Participants |
 Ted Maly, USAID/OFDA Program Officer for Southern Sudan
Ami Henson, USAID/Sudan Task Force Program Operations Specialist
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Local peace agreements, as well as the broader cessation of hostilities, are enabling increased and sustained humanitarian access to areas of Upper Nile. The humanitarian needs in these areas are vast and require a range of continuing emergency response activities. While a comprehensive peace accord and subsequent access arrangements may eventually reduce the need for non-OLS activity, NPA activities have proven the utility of non-OLS options. Currently there remains a need for both OLS and non-OLS interventions and the continued attention of OFDA and FFP to maximize coordination between OLS and non-OLS response efforts.
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