SUDAN SITUATION UPDATE 71 4 March 2007

Transcription

1 SUDAN OPERATIONS SUDAN SITUATION UPDATE 71 4 March 2007 A returnee in Chali, Blue Nile State, rebuilds his life back home starting with his shelter. UNHCR/A. Imai

2 SOUTH SUDAN Security The situation in Juba and the surrounding areas remains calm. All roads leading to Juba are relatively safe following the massive deployment of SPLA and Uganda People s Defense Force (UPDF) troops along the Juba-Nimule road and the Juba-Torit road. At the same time, the Lord s Resistance Army (LRA) is reported to have left Eastern Equatoria in large numbers heading towards Western Equatoria on the way to the Sudan/Central African Republic (CAR) border. The presence of LRA in Western Equatoria continues to mark the general situation there. After a string of small-scale looting in villages around Tambura, the LRA attacked Source Yubu (22 kilometres from Tambura) on 1 March. The LRA overpowered the Joint Integrated Forces (JIU) guarding the area and proceeded to loot the town. Two people were killed and two others injured. The timing of the attack follows the expiry date of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement with the Ugandan Government on 28 February. On 1 March, some demobilized Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) soldiers demonstrated in front of the UNMIS compound in Juba against SAF headquarters demanding pension money for the years they served in the army. The demonstration broke up peacefully after half an hour. Summary of ongoing repatriation operations Organized repatriation movements by air and road continued from Kenya, Ethiopia and CAR during the reporting period. Assisted self-repatriation 1 during this period also continued from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Ethiopia and Egypt. The number of people helped by UNHCR with repatriation to South Sudan since operations started in December 2005 reached 34,733 on 3 March, of which 26,987 through organized movements and 7,746 under the assisted self-repatriation scheme. Meanwhile, UNHCR has launched an appeal amounting to US$ 56.1 million for operations in South Sudan in The funds are needed to boost the ongoing voluntary repatriation programme in order to assist the return from neighbouring countries of more than 100,000 refugees this year as well as to help 25,000 IDPs return home, provide returnees with reintegration packages and improve access to basic services in areas of return. Tripartite Commission meeting in Nairobi A Tripartite Commission meeting was held between the Government of Kenya, the Government of Sudan and UNHCR on 27 February in Nairobi. The Government of Kenya delegation was led by Mr. Emmanuel Kisombe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Immigration and Registration of Persons, while the Government of Sudan delegation was led by Dr. Mohamed Ahmed M. Alaghbash, Commissioner for Refugees. The UNHCR delegation was led by Mr. Chrysantus Ache, UNHCR Representative for Sudan. The Commission discussed major policy matters, protection concerns and operational issues, including challenges and constraints affecting the pace of repatriation from Kakuma refugee camp. The Technical Working Committee of the Government of Kenya, the Government of Sudan and UNHCR was tasked to review a number of operational matters and make recommendations to accelerate repatriation. The Commission also agreed to a plan of action leading up to a second Tripartite Commission meeting scheduled to be held in Juba on 6 May. In 2007, UNHCR has so far repatriated a total of 1,359 refugees from Kakuma refugee camp. 1 Refers to those persons who were registered in countries of asylum and assisted through voluntary repatriation forms with return packages and reintegration support from UNHCR upon arrival in South Sudan. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 2

3 First repatriation movement from Ethiopia in 2007 The eighth repatriation convoy from Bonga refugee camp, which happens to be the first movement from Ethiopia in 2007, left Bonga on 26 February carrying 507 Uduk refugees home to Blue Nile State. The convoy, which arrived on 1 March in Sudan, received a warm welcome in Kurmuk town and then proceeded to Gindi in Chali Boma where other festivities by the residents of the village awaited the returnees. At destination, the returnees were registered, issued with ration cards and provided with a three-month food package and construction tools. Another convoy from Sherkole camp to Keyli and Saly villages in Blue Nile State arrived on 3 March carrying 580 individuals. The convoy was received at the villages by a large gathering of people led by the Payam Administrator and the Omda (elder) amid speeches, singing and recital of poems. A cow and a goat were slaughtered as a sign of welcome. Photo above: First convoy from Ethiopia in UNHCR/J. Musau/Mar Photo left: Slaughtering of a cow to welcome the returnees in Keyli village. UNHCR/J. Musau/Mar Meanwhile, a cross-border meeting which discussed details of the soon-to-start voluntary repatriation operation from Yarenja camp through the Bamboodi corridor was held in Damazin on 24 February. Participants from Ethiopia and Blue Nile State agreed to start the return operation from Yarenja on 10 March and to repatriate all the 1,522 refugees from the camp in three convoys. The convoys are expected to move within five days interval on 10, 15 and 20 March carrying 500 individuals at a time. The majority of returnees from Yarenga will return to Damazin. UNHCR has undertaken a number of assessment missions in order to open the Bamboodi corridor. As a result, repair of the road has been completed, including repair of two river crossings. The construction of a temporary reception centre at Um Darfa is underway and partners have been identified to assist at the centre. Meetings have also been held with the community leader in Um Darfa. Preparations for the first ever organized repatriation from Fugnido refugee camp to Upper Nile State through the new Pagak corridor are also underway, with the first convoy expected to move on 10 March with some 300 returnees on board. A go and see visit by refugee representatives from Fugnido camp to Pagak has already taken place. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 3

4 Returnee convoy from Bonga camp climbing up Kulalite hill in Ethiopia and heading to Blue Nile State. UNHCR/B. Negash/Dec Ethiopian returnees in Boma UNHCR facilitated a visit by the Deputy Chairman of the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC), Rev. William Chan, to Boma, Jonglei State, where he acquainted himself with the situation of 634 spontaneous returnees from Dimma refugee camp, Ethiopia. UNHCR and the SSRRC are preparing to airlift these returnees to their different destinations. Meanwhile, the SSRRC Secretary for Boma voiced concern that the presence of the large number of returnees is raising security concerns in the Boma area. Their presence is having a negative impact on food and water resources and creating tensions with the host community. The Secretary appealed for a speedy transfer of the returnees from Boma. UNHCR continues to monitor the situation of spontaneous return of refugees from Ethiopia to areas within Jonglei State. However, UNHCR is constrained in monitoring these areas because they are only accessible by flight. UNHCR is concerned about such spontaneous movements from Ethiopia because the returning refugees are not able to travel from the above-mentioned border areas within South Sudan to their places of return elsewhere in the country. Air repatriation from the Central African Republic The repatriation by air from CAR continued. Between 18 and 24 February, a total of 300 returnees (103 families) came back from CAR to Yambio and Nzara Counties via Nzara airstrip including 31 vulnerable persons (14 male and 17 female). A total of 80 women between 13 and 49 years old received sanitary materials and six pregnant ladies received delivery kits. HIV/AIDS awareness is conducted at the way station by International Medical Corps (IMC). The sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) programme is now in UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 4

5 place in Tambura and Yambio, implemented by IMC in both areas. Between 25 February and 3 March, another 449 individuals (192 families) returned to Yambio and Nzara Counties. Assisted self-repatriation from the Democratic Republic of Congo Assisted self-repatriation from the DRC continued amid security concerns about LRA presence in Western Equatoria State. So far in 2007, over 600 individuals have been assisted under the assisted self-repatriation scheme. Resumption of organized repatriation from Uganda With the meningitis epidemic in northern Uganda now under control following more then one month of intensive vaccination campaign, repatriation from Uganda to Greater Yei is scheduled to resume on 6 March with a group of 316 refugees. Meanwhile, a group of six students returned from Uganda to Kajo Keji during the reporting period as assisted self-returnees. These students were supported and accompanied in their return journey by Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). They were provided with return packages of food and non-food items upon presentation of voluntary repatriation forms issued by UNHCR in Uganda. The students have now joined Pomoju and Jalimo Parents Secondary Schools in Kangapo I and II Payams respectively. Return from Egypt An average of 20 persons a day continues to approach the UNHCR office in Cairo for assistance with voluntary repatriation to Sudan. The total number of persons assisted to return in 2007 is 215. Participatory assessment: Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming exercise To ensure that the concerns of returnees, refugees and IDPs are put at the heart of the decision-making process in UNHCR programmes, the Age, Gender and Diversity Mainstreaming (AGDM) exercise for South Sudan commenced in Juba, Yei and Bor. The exercise started with training workshops for UNHCR and government and implementing partner staff who were then constituted into multi-functional teams. The teams undertook participatory assessments on four themes health, education, livelihood and security among returnee, refugee and IDP communities. The information collected will be used to develop UNHCR s country operations plan for IDP return operation in Blue Nile State The IDP return operation in Blue Nile State continued successfully. Within the reporting period, 15 convoys accompanied by IOM, UNHCR and WFP vehicles assisted 1,526 IDPs to return from Bau Locality to their villages of origin. The major return destination was Khor Bodi in Kurmuk Locality. UNHCR ensured that all IDPs received medical screening by IOM and mine risk education by Mines Advisory Group (MAG) before departure. At final destination, UNHCR assisted WFP in food distribution. Photo: The IDPs receive mine risk education prior to embarking on the return journey. UNHCR/I. Zorn/ Feb UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 5

6 At the IDP return planning meeting held in Damazin on 25 February it was agreed to accelerate the return movements during the next two months before the rainy season. Government authorities and most UN agencies and NGOs in Blue Nile involved in the operation participated in the meeting to take stock of the IDP return operation, identify obstacles and challenges and discuss policy matters affecting the operation. Photo: Before departure, the IDPs undergo medical screening to ensure that they are fit for travel. UNHCR/I. Zorn/Feb IDPs in Khartoum UNHCR is currently engaged with partners in the AGDM participatory assessment exercise for IDPs in Khartoum. Multi-functional teams have been formed and meetings are being held in the major IDP camps and settlements in Khartoum targeting women, men, children and youth. Initial findings seem to indicate that lack of livelihood opportunities is a major concern and that, in the case of IDPs from the South, the desire to return is strong. Meanwhile, the IOM-managed registration of IDPs in Khartoum continues and by 21 February 375,510 households had been registered for return. As of 1 March, a total of 2,629 IDPs have left Khartoum for destinations in South Kordofan and Unity States. SGBV training In Yei, UNHCR conducted two awareness training workshops on SGBV and the UNHCR Code of Conduct for partner staff who are working with UNHCR in the repatriation programme. The objective was to enhance staff capacity to prevent and respond to SGBV and to ensure protection of returnees from sexual exploitation and abuse. Update on funding situation as at 1 March Requirements for South Sudan/countries of asylum: US$ 55,067, Contributions: US$ 12,373,525 UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 6

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8 EASTERN SUDAN Security The overall security situation in Eastern Sudan remained stable. UNHCR continued to be unable to monitor the asylum procedure in Wad Sharife reception centre due to travel restrictions that were put in place at the beginning of February and that still remain in force. UNHCR is monitoring the situation in the reception centre through daily reports of its implementing partners. The unrest caused by the congested conditions of the newly-arrived refugees in Kilo 26 camp in Kassala State is intensifying. During a recent visit, a UNHCR vehicle was surrounded by refugees demanding better living conditions. Some refugees reportedly threatened to hold UNHCR staff in the camp unless concrete measures are taken to solve their problems. The situation is expected to worsen until the non-issuance of refugee ID cards by the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) is resolved. Meanwhile, the ninth meeting of the Ethiopian-Sudan Joint Border Commission took place in Gedaref town. The Governor of Gedaref, Abdurahman Ahmed Al-Kedir, described the meeting as fruitful and emphasized his commitment in forging strong bilateral ties with Ethiopia. New arrivals The number of asylum seekers in Eastern Sudan rose from 499 persons in January 2007 to 583 in February However, the trend is lower than last year when compared to the same period 677 persons asked for asylum in January 2006 and 730 in February During the latter half of February, the reception centre in Wad Sharife refugee camp, Kassala, received 299 Eritreans, 10 Ethiopians, and eight Somali asylum-seekers. A total of 394 were recognized as refugees and nine on appeal. The backlog created by the two-week strike by COR adjudicators at the end of January was not cleared by the end of the reporting period. Despite earlier agreements to increase the number of COR adjudicators, the number remained the same as before. As a result, 341 asylum seekers were still waiting for their refugee status determination interview and 17 recognised refugees were waiting for transport to Kilo 26 camp. Kilo 26 camp COR still refuses to issue refugee ID cards to recognised new arrivals who were transferred to Kilo 26 camp. Without this ID, National Security will not issue the refugees with travel permits which would allow them to look for work outside the camp. Thus, the refugees are virtually confined to the camp without means of income. As a result, over 800 refugees are forced to live in a compound which usually accommodates 200 persons. The available shelters in both the male and female compounds are overcrowded and many are forced to sleep outside. The congested living conditions put pressure on water, sanitation and health facilities as well as non-food items. As a result, tensions are rising and an increase in thefts and quarrels among the refugees has been reported. The overall unrest in Kilo 26 could pose a security threat for UNHCR staff. Detention UNHCR was informed of arrests and detentions of 13 Eritreans and one Ethiopian in Kassala. In a meeting with the detainees, it was discovered that 11 are Eritreans who are recognized refugees in Sudan and one is an asylum seeker from Ethiopia. The Eritrean refugees were arrested under suspicion of spying against Sudan or involvement in smuggling people across the border. The Ethiopian was arrested for illegal entry into Sudan. Their cases were tried in court on 28 February. The court hearing was monitored closely by UNHCR to prevent any cases of refoulement and ensure that normal legal proceedings were followed. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 8

9 The court considered that none of the charges against the Eritreans on spying or smuggling were proven; however, the judge convicted 10 Eritreans to three months imprisonment for leaving the refugee camp without travel permits and/or for not holding valid refugee ID cards. The 10 Eritreans will be handed over to COR after they have served their sentence. The remaining two of concern to UNHCR (one Eritrean, one Ethiopian) were given deportation orders - one because of his illegal stay in Sudan and because there was no proof of his registration as a refugee and the other because he changed his statements before the court and no longer made a claim for asylum in Sudan. Health situation The situation of acute watery diarrhoea in Um Gargour camp is stabilizing. In the past few days, no patient has been reported to the treatment centre. Health education (house-to-house), sanitation campaigns and chlorination of water activities are ongoing through Human Appeal International (HAI) medical staff and home visitors. Preparations for sentinel surveillance for all the camps are in the final stages. A sensitization workshop for COR camp managers and implementing partners is planned to take place shortly. Food distribution at stake WFP has decided to stop the food delivery to the refugee camps due to travel restrictions on its food distribution monitors. Only the most urgent programmes, i.e. therapeutic and supplementary feeding as well as food distribution to new arrivals, have been exempted from this measure. This has also affected the general food distribution in some camps. If travel restrictions are not lifted soon, the general food distribution for March is at stake in all camps. UNHCR has offered to take over the monitoring of the food distribution, which is now already part of its regular activities, but no solution has been found so far. Livelihood activities Purchasing of livestock for livelihood activities, including donkey carts, was done in Suki camps. In Abuda camp, a general community meeting was held to vote for the establishment of a cooperative society and was approved. Community mobilisation is also being carried out in Fau 5 camp for the establishment of the same cooperative. Loan recovery activities in Abuda, Um Gargour, Fau 5 and Suki camps are continuing as before. The livestock scheme for particularly vulnerable refugees is also continuing in Abuda and Fau 5 camps. Update on funding situation as at 1 March Requirements for East Sudan/Khartoum: US$ 13,676, Contributions: US$ 3,591,559 UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 9

10 DARFUR Security The general security situation in West Darfur was relatively calm. The bandits who are targeting UN/NGO vehicles remained active and continued to constitute the main constraint to free movement of humanitarian agencies. The border area with Chad continued to be tense, in particular to the north and east of Guereda. Tensions between the Chadian army and rebels in the region of Iriba-Bahai-Tine-Kulbus-Guereda continued. Tribal conflicts between Tama and Zaghawa around Birak, including Guereda, led a number of civilians to flee to West Darfur. Meanwhile, Chad refused permission for UN peacekeepers to deploy along its border with Sudan. The Government said it would however welcome a "civilian force composed of gendarmes and police" to help protect Sudanese refugees, IDPs and humanitarian workers. WEST DARFUR Missions to investigate reports of new arrivals During the reporting period, UNHCR undertook a variety of missions in response to reports of influxes of refugees at the border. Accompanied by CAM, COR and the AU, UNHCR went on a road mission to Shukhri village, some 22 kilometres west of El Geneina, on the road to Adre. About 200 families (Arab nomads) from Chad have arrived in the vicinity of the village since 12 February. They originate from the vicinity of Tiero which was recently attacked by Chadian forces. Also noted during the mission was that some 125 Sudanese families have returned to Shukhri (all nomads) since August UNHCR also conducted a mission to Kulbus (Girgiri) on February to investigate reports of new arrivals from Chad numbering some 400 families. It was found that the new arrivals were in fact Sudanese nomads who had returned to the area more than two years earlier. On 28 February, UNHCR undertook a mission to Forobaranga to assess reports of new arrivals from Chad in the area. Refugee Sheikhs reported that approximately 500 individuals had settled in several areas on the outskirts of Forobaranga and that an additional 1,000 were believed to be making their way toward the area. UNHCR will conduct a follow-up mission to the area to clarify the conditions of the refugees, reasons of flight, composition of the groups and immediate assistance needs. Furthermore, UNHCR conducted a fact-finding mission to investigate reports from Um Dukhun of new arrivals in the past two months consisting of 309 families from CAR (plus 44 families on 26 February), 230 from Chad and 35 from within Sudan. The mission was conducted in cooperation with Triangle, COR and Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC). The refugees from CAR who were interviewed said they came from the Birau area and fled during instability around November 2006, many passing through Um Dafuk on the way, but heading north owing to lack of assistance in Um Dafuk. Some claimed that their villages were targeted owing to accusations that they were supporting rebels in the area, while some women indicated that sexual violence formed part of their reason for fleeing. The refugees from Chad indicated that they had fled from areas including inter alia Monashir, Rutrut, Haraza, Umzeili, Birkat Tamasih, Kele, Gadar, Higer, Romalia, Lejaf, Sarafhamra, Gaya, Laja, Ladayat and Tissi in Chad. Many have families in Sudan. Mixed among the refugees from Chad are persons of Sudanese origin who spent the past 20 years in Chad. The Sudanese returnees from Chad said that they had returned to their own homes in Sudan owing to insecurity in Chad and not because their areas of origin were safe again. Many have had their possessions UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 10

11 taken for a second time and have nothing. The Sudanese Government plans to create model villages for return in three areas and UNHCR will follow up further on the progress of this initiative in the next mission. Update on refugees in Beida UNHCR met with representatives of the refugee population in Beida to ascertain the number of Chadian families currently residing in Beida and to conduct an initial assessment of the conditions and immediate needs of the group. According to the refugee representatives, approximately 190 families have fled fighting in Chad and have settled in Beida. It appears that some of these families are likely Sudanese returnees. However, the proportion of returnee versus refugee families is uncertain and will have to be clarified in a follow-up mission. Refugee representatives have been asked to informally register the group to provide more reliable figures. UNHCR plans a follow-up mission to Beida to clarify numbers and assess needs. Um Shalaya refugee camp As a consequence of the hijacking of a UNHCR vehicle on loan to COR in Um Shalaya refugee camp on 7 February, UNHCR suspended its activities in the camp until a security assessment was made of the area on 21 February. Following the assessment, it was recommended that UNHCR could again travel to and work in the refugee camp. However, security concerns remained in the area until the end of the reporting period, due to reports of the gathering of a large group of armed Arab militias close to Gendernei. Between 1 and 27 February, UNHCR registered 81 new spontaneous arrivals from Chad, which represents a sharp increase in the number of registered new arrivals compared to the two previous months (no arrivals registered in December 2006 and 32 arrivals registered in January 2007). At the end of the reporting period, the total number of registered refugees in Um Shalaya was 3,632. The largest single arrival was a group of 70 refugees, which were assisted by a Sheikh from Um Shalaya camp to travel from Ade, Chad, to Um Shalaya on 23 February. UNHCR was still in the process of registering these refugees at the end of the reporting period. The spontaneous movement of sizeable groups of refugees, including several families without family links in the camp, is a new development, as the camp in previous months had only seen small numbers of cases of family reunifications. Meanwhile, preparations continued in cooperation with IOM and implementing partners for the movement of approximately 1,000 refugees from Arara to Um Shalaya refugee camp scheduled to being on 17 March and to take place in several stages over the latter half of the month. Mukjar refugee camp The previous 255 Chadian refugees in Mukjar refugee camp increased to 265 persons during the reporting period. UNHCR interviewed the new arrivals and provided them with non-food items. Child protection On 19 February, UNHCR met with implementing partner Save the Children-Spain (SC-Spain) in Mukjar in order to discuss several issues relating to child protection. UNHCR arranged for the issuance of birth certificates for IDP children in Mukjar and Bindizi and SC-Spain offered logistical support for the government team who will do the registrations. UNHCR and SC-Spain discussed the importance of developing a system for monitoring and following up vulnerable cases through the youth centres funded by UNHCR. It was agreed that an advanced child protection workshop in April would be essential to develop a system for dealing with vulnerable cases. Land issues The Ministry of Planning and the Habila Locality began surveying specific areas in Habila town in January Neither the resident nor the IDP population were informed properly about the activities or about the procedures, priorities, prices and related fees of buying plots. The lack of a proper information campaign led to a demonstration by a few IDPs and to the subsequent arrest of some of the demonstrators. It also spawned rumors that plots had been reserved for non-residents, particularly Arabs. Local officials assured UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 11

12 the population that the plot distribution would follow set rules and that any disputes would be solved by a neutral committee. However, fear about further displacement spread especially among the IDP population and added to the tense situation in Habila town. UNHCR is monitoring the situation closely and has intervened with the authorities in Habila. UNHCR is trying to address any protection issues that result from the surveying exercise. The authorities have assured UNHCR that IDPs who do not have the funds to buy a plot will be allowed to stay until peace prevails in Darfur. UNHCR is monitoring the situation by physically checking the land surveying activities, by conducting individual interviews and by meeting regularly with community leaders and with representatives of the locality. The Protection Working Group in El Geneina is also following up on this issue as similar problems have arisen in the El Geneina IDP camps and in other communities. Traditional reconciliation committees On 19 February, UNHCR conducted a mission to Bindizi to visit implementing partner Triangle and observe their projects. Triangle continues to facilitate the traditional reconciliation committees with logistics (transport and fuel) and success has been noted towards diminishing violent settling of disputes regarding land occupation, crop destruction and cattle stealing. IDP camps around El Geneina UNHCR held meetings with various government interlocutors during the reporting period, including HAC and the Ministry of Urban Planning to discuss issues involving land, National Security and the El Geneina Locality police. UNHCR agreed to coordinate with government authorities regarding the establishment of police posts in the IDP camps around El Geneina. UNHCR has extended tents, mattresses and kitchen sets to the Government to assist them in the establishment of such police posts in the IDP camps. Training-of-trainers On February, UNHCR staff from Darfur and Khartoum held a training-of-trainers workshop in El Geneina for 23 international and national staff from El Geneina, Habila, Mornei, Mukjar, Zalingei and Nyala. The workshop aimed to enhance the training skills of Darfur-based field staff who will be instrumental in implementing capacity building activities and providing institutional support to local government authorities as part of UNHCR s protection strategy for The workshop was followed by a seminar on stress management headed by the UNMIS Staff Welfare Officer who was on mission in El Geneina. Staff were further trained in UNHCR s Code of Conduct on 18 and 20 February. SOUTH DARFUR Mission to Um Dafuk On 26 February, UNHCR participated in a joint mission to Um Dafuk, South Darfur, together with OCHA and UNMIS to observe the situation of CAR refugees. While the mission was not able to speak directly with refugees from CAR, there were indications that there are CAR refugees still in Um Dafuk. Update on funding situation as at 1 March Requirements for Darfur: US$ 19,739, Contributions: US$ 5,476,719 UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 71 4 March 2007 page 12