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The Humanitarian Situation in Sudan

Click here for a list of non-profit organizations that currently receive USAID funds and accept contributions to help the Sudanese people.

Background

In 2008, 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 nearly 4.3 million people, including more than 2.4 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Darfur, fighting among armed opposition factions, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), militias, and ethnic groups is ongoing. According to the U.N., the clashes have displaced nearly 200,000 people within Darfur and to eastern Chad since January 2008.

The former Government of Sudan and the southern-based Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) continue to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) through the joint Government of National Unity (GNU). The GNU was formed in 2005, the year the parties signed the CPA and officially ended more than two decades of conflict between the north and the south. During the conflict, famine, fighting, and disease killed more than 2 million people, forced an estimated 600,000 Sudanese to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and displaced 4 million others within Sudan. The U.N. estimates that approximately 2.1 million people displaced during the conflict have returned to Southern Sudan and the Three Areas of Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei since 2005, taxing scarce resources and weak infrastructure. In eastern Sudan, the GNU and the Eastern Front opposition coalition signed the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement in 2006, but the area remains underdeveloped and slow to recover from the decades of conflict.

The U.S. Government (USG) is the largest bilateral donor to Sudan and has contributed more than $3 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 11, 2007, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez renewed the disaster declaration for the complex emergency in Sudan for FY 2008.

1 Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
2 U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
3 USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
4 USAID’s Office of Food for Peace
5 U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

Current Situation in Darfur

Humanitarian agencies in Darfur continue to provide essential services for conflict-affected populations, despite continuing insecurity and attacks against aid workers. On July 10, the U.N. increased the threat level for Darfur from Phase III to Phase IV, limiting U.N. activity throughout Darfur. In early July, USAID staff traveled to West Darfur to monitor USAIDfunded programs.

During the month of July, bureaucratic impediments and insecurity continued to hamper relief efforts and humanitarian access throughout Darfur. Humanitarian agencies report regularly changing administrative procedures, the non-issuance of visas to humanitarian workers, and GNU refusal to allow humanitarian agencies to use rented vehicles as challenges to the relief effort. Targeting of humanitarian vehicles escalated in July, with carjackings occurring nearly once each day.

Security and Humanitarian Access

On July 10, the U.N. increased the threat level for Darfur to Phase IV, limiting U.N. activity to emergency operations and requiring the provisional relocation of staff not directly engaged in live-saving operations. According to the U.N., the threat level increase was based on attacks against U.N.–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) forces as well as possible repercussions from the application for an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir. According to the U.N., despite the increase in the threat level, the security situation is relatively calm, but unpredictable, permitting essential relief operations to continue.

Throughout July, U.N. agencies and humanitarian workers experienced high levels of insecurity, with the frequency of hijackings, humanitarian facility and office invasions, attacks on relief workers, and abductions during the first seven months of 2008 reaching or exceeding the numbers for all of 2007. On August 1, OCHA reported that bandits had hijacked 180 vehicles since January 2008, compared to 137 in all of 2007. According to OCHA, as of July 12, unknown groups had also broken into 70 humanitarian facilities and compounds since the beginning of 2008. On August 1, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) evacuated staff from Tawila and Shangil Tobayi, North Darfur, following two attacks against MSF facilities and staff in late July. MSF provides medical assistance to more than 65,000 individuals, including 30,000 IDPs in North Darfur.

Increasing attacks against UNAMID forces in July hindered UNAMID patrols in North Darfur IDP camps. According to UNAMID forces, in late June, armed opposition group forces held 36 UNAMID peacekeepers hostage during a routine patrol in Zam Zam IDP camp near El Fasher, North Darfur. In addition, on July 8, an unidentified armed group attacked a UNAMID joint police and military patrol, killing seven peacekeepers and police officers and wounding 22 others in North Darfur. As a result of the attacks and at the request of local leaders, UNAMID suspended patrols in Al Salaam and Zam Zam IDP camps. On July 20, UNAMID commenced helicopter patrols over five IDP camps in North Darfur, intended to allow better access to more camps and minimize the risk of ambush.

Population Movements

In July, OCHA reported that fighting and insecurity in Darfur had displaced nearly 200,000 individuals since January 1, 2008. Interethnic fighting between the Tarjem and Beni-Halba ethnic groups in late June and early July caused displacement and impeded humanitarian operations in the Gandi region of South Darfur. Based on preliminary reports from local NGOs, the conflict has displaced more than 1,200 households to villages surrounding Ed al Fursan, South Darfur. Humanitarian agencies are currently verifying the number of IDPs and will continue to monitor the needs of the population.

In early July, USAID staff met with representatives from UNHCR and the U.N. World Food Program (WFP) to discuss vulnerable populations in Um Dukhum, West Darfur. According to WFP, insecurity in Chad in early 2008 displaced approximately 6,900 Chadian refugees to Um Dukhum. In addition, more than 5,900 Chadian refugees and 1,800 Central African Republic refugees have informally settled in Um Dukhum since September 2006 and April 2007, respectively, with limited access to basic services. UNHCR has provided assistance to refugees in Mukjar refugee camp, 50 km from Um Dukhum; however, UNHCR does not have a presence in Um Dukhum and organizational policy impedes efforts to coordinate humanitarian assistance close to the border, complicating relief efforts in Um Dukhum. UNHCR has offered to transport the refugees to Mukjar camp, but the displaced groups prefer to remain near the border, closer to areas of origin. In response, WFP agreed to provide food assistance in Um Dukhum until the end of the rainy season in October, after which WFP plans to terminate formal assistance unless the refugees move to Mukjar. NGOs working in Um Dukhum are providing assistance to refugees, IDPs, vulnerable host communities, and IDPs in transit.

Food Security and Nutrition

In June and July, humanitarian agencies noted an increase in admissions to nutrition programs and increasing food prices across all Darfur states. According to the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), prices for food in Sudan in 2008 have increased dramatically compared to 2007. In West Darfur, the price of dried tomatoes increased by 93 percent. In South Darfur, the price of sorghum increased by 128 percent, millet by 153 percent, and groundnut by 36 percent. Throughout Darfur, WFP has conducted general food distributions in conjunction with FAO seed distribution activities. In South Darfur, FAO distributed nearly 700 metric tons (MT) of crop seeds and 179,000 tools to more than 144,000 households. In West Darfur, FAO supported the distribution of more than 11,000 hand tools and 600 MT of seeds to food insecure populations.

Health

The health situation in Darfur remains relatively stable, with endemic diseases, including diarrhea, acute respiratory infections, and malaria displaying similar seasonal trends to July 2007. However, humanitarian agencies are intensifying hygiene promotion activities throughout Darfur to prevent possible outbreaks of water-borne diseases during the rainy season. To prepare, the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) is supporting the North Darfur State Ministry of Health and other humanitarian agencies in pre-positioning medical supplies and essential drugs in high-risk areas.

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene

Humanitarian agencies continue to express concern regarding the situation of displaced populations in and around Al Salam IDP camp in South Darfur. In late June, the South Darfur governor canceled the planned relocation of 10,000 IDPs from Al Salam to El Sereif IDP camp, intended to ease crowded conditions and demand on insufficient water sources in Al Salam camp. In early July, the GNU Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) also canceled the planned relocation of an estimated 3,000 to 10,000 IDPs living in the Sekele wadi (seasonal riverbed) adjacent to Al Salam camp to El Sereif camp. In early July, UNAMID police reported that the Sekele IDPs attempted to move from the wadi to higher ground to avoid the potential risk of floods. However, landowners expelled the IDPs, forcing them to return to the low-lying wadi. According to OCHA, the HAC has stipulated that the IDPs can only receive assistance if the group agrees to move to Al Salam camp. USAID staff continue to monitor the needs of the Sekele population.

Humanitarian agencies are planning to construct additional wells to increase water availability in Al Salam camp. To improve sanitation conditions, in early July, CARE agreed to begin latrine construction in new arrival areas and the GNU Office of Water and Environmental Sanitation committed to construct 500 latrines for new arrivals. In addition, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF) supported soap distribution to more than 19,000 families in Al Salam camp, including 4,000 new arrival families.

CURRENT SITUATION IN SUDAN, EXCLUDING DARFUR

In Southern Sudan, eastern Sudan, and the Three Areas, humanitarian organizations continue to provide basic services, assist returning refugees and IDPs, and prepare for possible floods in August.

Security and Humanitarian Access

On July 10, the U.N. increased the security threat level for Southern Sudan, the Three Areas, and the majority of northern states from Phase II to Phase III. Under Phase III, the U.N. requires that all staff not directly involved in emergency operations remain on standby for possible relocation. USAID and U.N. staff report that the current security situation remains calm, but tense, with humanitarian operations continuing.

On July 7, the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) reported that a Sudan People’s Liberation Army soldier shot and injured a U.N. military observer and an SAF national monitor in Agok town in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, Southern Sudan. Following the shooting, U.N. agencies and NGOs suspended humanitarian activities in Agok, limiting assistance to an estimated 27,000 Abyei IDPs sheltering in Agok following the mid-May conflict in Abyei. According to USAID field reports, relief agencies have resumed program implementation in Agok, but continue to exercise caution and adhere to security protocols.

Food Security and Nutrition

On July 15, FAO reported that households in the eastern part of Southern Sudan are highly food insecure due to food shortages resulting from crop losses after the 2007 floods. According to FAO, insecurity, isolation from markets due to inadequate roads, and rising food prices have further compounded food shortages. As of April 2008, the wholesale price of sorghum in Khartoum had increased to 82 Sudanese Pounds (SDG) per 90 kg bag, compared to 40 to 47 SDG between November 2007 and February 2008. USAID is supporting FAO to provide flood-affected households with certified seeds, locally made hand tools, small ruminants, veterinary drugs, vaccines, and equipment. In addition, USAID implementing partner Vétérinaires Sans Frontières/Belgium (VSF/B) is conducting projects aimed at increasing food production capacity, benefiting approximately 1.2 million people in seven states.

According to an Action Contre la Faim (ACF) nutrition and mortality survey released in July, the global acute malnutrition (GAM) rate in Aweil East County, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, is above emergency thresholds. According to ACF, in June the GAM rate in Aweil East County was 16.9 percent and the severe acute malnutrition rate was 1.7 percent. Although the GAM rate is above the WHO emergency threshold of 15 percent, results from the survey indicate a slight improvement in the overall situation compared to 2007. In June, USAID implementing partner Tearfund screened 67 children for malnutrition at primary healthcare units in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State and referred three children to the ACF nutrition program. USAID is supporting nutrition and health care programs in Aweil East County targeted at returnees and host communities.

Population Movements

In June and early July, suspected Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) attacks along the Sudan–Uganda border led to insecurity and displacement in Western Equatoria and Central Equatoria states. According to the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC), more than 2,800 IDPs displaced during a June 4 suspected LRA attack on Nabanga are sheltering in Maridi and Yambio counties in Western Equatoria State. According to initial SSRRC assessments, most of the Nabanga IDPs are in need of food, shelter, and emergency relief commodities. As of July 5, UNICEF had provided 236 IDP households with relief commodities through SSRRC, and WFP had distributed food to 77 households. In Central Equatoria State, SSRRC and the UNMIS Returns, Reintegration, and Recovery Section reported that suspected LRA forces attacked Lainya County on June 26, abducting 43 individuals. USAID supports health programs in Lainya County, benefiting approximately 70,000 individuals.

Returns

Spontaneous refugee and IDP returns continued throughout Sudan in July. In early May, U.N. agencies concluded organized returns due to the deteriorating security situation, the onset of the rainy season, and road blockages.

On July 17, UNHCR reported that 60,000 Southern Sudanese refugees had voluntarily returned to places of origin since January 2008, compared to 46,000 total returns in 2007. According to UNHCR, nearly 290,000 Sudanese refugees have returned since 2005, of which more than 135,000 returned under the organized and assisted self-repatriation programs. UNHCR noted that the increase in the number of returnees in 2008 was partially based on a desire to participate in the April census, as well as growing confidence in the CPA. UNHCR expects the high level of repatriation to continue before the planned 2009 elections. As of July 17, approximately 30,000 Southern Sudanese refugees had requested UNHCR assistance to repatriate during the 2008 dry season. In preparation, UNHCR and partners are planning to preposition emergency relief supplies and repair facilities at border crossing points.

Flood Preparations

According to the July 27 HAC Flood Watch Update, seasonal rainfall from July to September may be 80 percent higher than normal. Due to the expected increase in rains in August, flash floods may affect large parts of the country, including Khartoum, South and North Kordofan, Gedaref, and White Nile states. According to the HAC, the Blue Nile water level reached the high flood risk level on July 26, endangering the population living in the surrounding flood plains in Northern and Nile states. As of July 21, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development reported that eastern and central Sudan had received above normal rainfall and indicated that a significant amount of rainfall may continue in August. According to OCHA, heavy rains in the Abyei area are also limiting vehicular access to program sites. The U.N. is working with the Khartoum Flood Task Force to prepare for possible floods in the coming weeks. The U.N. Joint Logistics Center has also mapped flood prone areas throughout Sudan and identified sites to pre-position emergency relief supplies.

USAID reconstruction programs support the establishment of a foundation for a just and durable peace with the broad participation of the Sudanese people. Activities focus on supporting the peace process, democracy and governance, education, health, and economic growth.

USAID humanitarian programs work to meet immediate needs while simultaneously transitioning to longer-term reconstruction and development activities in areas outside of Darfur. Priorities include assisting individuals displaced by conflict, providing basic services in traditionally underserved areas, and improving food security through increased agricultural production.

USAID food assistance accounted for over 80 percent of the commitments to the UN World Food Program in 2005, and supports ongoing programs with the Red Cross and other nongovernmental organizations. As the leading donor of food assistance to Sudan, USAID targets food aid commodities to the most vulnerable, with particular emphasis on women and children.

USAID Sudan Strategy Statement (pdf,469kb)

USAID Monthly Update - November 2007 (pdf,505kb)