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The Humanitarian Situation in Sudan
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.
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Estimated Numbers Affected | Source |
| Internally Displaced People in Sudan |
From Southern Sudan: 2.7 million In Darfur: 2.45 million In Eastern Sudan: 168,000 |
UNHCR (1)- Nov. 2007 OCHA(2) – June 2008 U.N. Sept. 2007 |
| Sudanese Refugees | From Darfur: 250,000 From Southern Sudan: 260,000 |
UNHCR – June 2008 UNHCR - March 2008 |
| Refugees in Sudan |
From Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC, and others: 215,630 |
UNHCR – Dec. 2007 |
| Humanitarian Funding Provided to Date (FY 2008) | |
| USAID/OFDA(3) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $84,631,925 |
| USAID/FFP(4) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $458,494,800 |
| State/PRM(5) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $84,108,829 |
| Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $627,235,554 |
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)
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