COMMISSION DECISION of on the financing of a Global Plan for humanitarian operations from the budget of the European Communities in Sudan

Transcription

1 COMMISSION DECISION of on the financing of a Global Plan for humanitarian operations from the budget of the European Communities in Sudan THE COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES, Having regard to the Treaty establishing the European Community, Having regard to Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid 1, and in particular Articles 2, 4 and 15(2) thereof, Whereas: (1) Sudan is experiencing a chronic crisis due to years of conflict, deep poverty, marginalization and absence of development in most areas, and the ongoing conflict in Darfur. The humanitarian situation remains highly precarious and will not significantly improve in the short and medium term, (2) In Darfur, the situation of the 4,140,000 people affected by the crisis, in particular the 2,150,000 internally displaced people, remains dismal despite massive international aid. More then 50,000 Chadian refugees are hosted in Darfur, while some 236,000 Sudanese refugees are hosted in Chad. Access to the most vulnerable, as well as security for humanitarian workers, continues to deteriorate. An inclusive peace agreement is still unpredictable. It is anticipated that in 2008 the conditions in Darfur will not yet be conducive to large scale returns, (3) Despite the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in 2005, the political and security equilibrium remains precarious in Southern Sudan and the transitional areas. The legacy of the North - South conflict is around 1,000,000 Internally Displaced Persons currently in and around Khartoum, while an additional 500,000 people still live abroad as refugees. The return and reintegration process in areas totally lacking basic services is on-going, but at a lower pace than expected, (4) Natural disasters such as droughts and floods regularly hit extensive areas of the country, and have a significant impact on the lives and livelihoods of the population, (5) The situation is worsened by insecurity, access denials, and seasonal rains that cause large areas of Sudan to be periodically inaccessible to humanitarian agencies, (6) The complexity and scale of the humanitarian crisis is such that it seems likely to continue, (7) In order to maximise the impact of humanitarian aid operations financed by the Commission in the context of chronic crisis, it is necessary to maintain a technical assistance capacity in the field, 1 OJ L 163, , p ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

2 (8) An assessment of the humanitarian situation leads to the conclusion that humanitarian aid operations should be financed by the Community for a period of 18 months, (9) It is estimated that an amount of EUR 70,000,000 from budget article of the general budget of the European Communities is necessary to provide humanitarian assistance to around 6 million affected people all over Sudan, displaced persons, refugees, and resident communities, taking into account the available budget, other donors interventions and other factors, (10) The present Decision constitutes a financing Decision within the meaning of Article 75 of the Financial Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1605/2002 2, Article 90 of the detailed rules for the implementation of the Financial Regulation determined by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 2342/2002 3, and Article 15 of the Internal Rules on the Implementation of the general budget of the European Communities 4, (11) In accordance with Article 17 (3) of Council Regulation (EC) No.1257/96 of 20 June 1996 concerning humanitarian aid, the Humanitarian Aid Committee gave a favourable opinion on 13 December HAS DECIDED AS FOLLOWS: Article 1 1. In accordance with the objectives and general principles of humanitarian aid, the Commission hereby approves an amount of EUR 70,000,000 for a Global Plan in 2008 providing Humanitarian Aid for the most vulnerable in Sudan from article of the 2008 general budget of the European Communities. 2. In accordance with Articles 2 and 4 of Council Regulation No.1257/96, the humanitarian operations shall be implemented in the pursuance of the following specific objectives: To reduce mortality and morbidity among highly vulnerable populations through integrated assistance. To improve humanitarian and operational environments through support to special mandates, as well as common services, including transport and logistics. To strengthen the preparedness to respond to humanitarian crisis. To maintain a technical assistance capacity in the field, to assess needs, appraise project proposals and to coordinate and monitor the implementation of operations. The amounts allocated to each of these specific objectives are listed in the annex to this Decision. 2 OJ L 248, , p.1. Regulation as last amended by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1995/2006, OJ L 390, , p.1 and by Regulation (EC, Euratom) No 1525/2007, OJ L 343, , p OJ L 357, , p.1 Regulation as last amended by Commission Regulation (EC Euratom) No. 478/2007, OJ L 111 of , P Commission Decision of , C/2007/513. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

3 Article 2 Without prejudice to the use of the contingency reserve, the Commission may, where this is justified by the humanitarian situation, re-allocate the funding levels established for one of the specific objectives set out in Article 1(2) to another objective mentioned therein, provided that the re-allocated amount represents less than 20% of the global amount covered by this Decision and does not exceed EUR 2,000,000. Article 3 1. The duration of the implementation of this Decision shall be for a period of 18 months, starting on 01 January Expenditure under this Decision shall be eligible from 01 January If the actions envisaged in this Decision are suspended due to force majeure or comparable circumstances, the period of suspension will not be taken into account for the calculation of the duration of the implementation of this decision. Article 4 1. The Commission shall implement the budget by direct centralised management or by joint management with international organisations. 2. The actions supported by this Decision will be implemented by humanitarian aid organisations that are signatories to the Framework Partnership Agreement (FPA) or the EC/UN Financial Administrative Framework Agreement (FAFA). 3. Taking account the specificities of humanitarian aid, the nature of the activities to be undertaken, the specific location constraints and the level of urgency, the activities covered by this Decision may be financed in full in accordance with Article 253 of the Implementing Rules of the Financial Regulation. Article 5 1. The amount of EUR 70,000,000 shall be conditional upon the necessary funds being available under the 2008 general budget of the European Communities. 2. This Decision shall take effect on the date of its adoption. Done at Brussels, For the Commission Member of the Commission ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

4 Annex: Breakdown of allocations by specific objectives Specific objectives To reduce mortality and morbidity among highly vulnerable populations through integrated assistance. Amount per specific objective (EUR) 46,000,000 To improve humanitarian and operational environments through support to special mandates, as well as common services, including transport and logistics. 19,000,000 To strengthen the preparedness to respond to humanitarian crisis. 2,000,000 To maintain a technical assistance capacity in the field, to assess needs, appraise project proposals and to coordinate and monitor the implementation of operations. 1,000,000 Contingency reserve 2,000,000 TOTAL 70,000,000 ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

5 EUROPEAN COMMISSION DIRECTORATE-GENERAL FOR HUMANITARIAN AID - ECHO HUMANITARIAN AID for The most vulnerable populations in Sudan GLOBAL PLAN 2008 December 2007 ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

6 Table of content 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CONTEXT AND SITUATION General Context Current Situation IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF HUMANITARIAN NEEDS PROPOSED DG ECHO STRATEGY Coherence with DG ECHO's overall strategic priorities Impact of previous humanitarian response Coordination with activities of other donors and institutions Risk assessment and assumptions DG ECHO Strategy Duration Amount of Decision and strategic programming matrix EVALUATION BUDGET IMPACT ARTICLE MANAGEMENT ISSUES ANNEXES Annex 1: Statistics on the humanitarian situation Annex 2: Map of Sudan and location of DG ECHO's operations (indicative) Annex 3: List of previous DG ECHO operations Annex 4: Other donors' contributions Annex 5: List of Abbreviations ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/01000

7 1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY For the last few decades, Sudan has suffered from a number of deadly conflicts with disastrous humanitarian consequences. As the political and security equilibrium remains precarious in Southern Sudan and the transitional areas, and the evolution of the peace process in Darfur is largely unpredictable, most parts of the population in these areas, internally displaced, refugees and residents, are in need of a substantial level of humanitarian assistance. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) of January 2005 ending the 22-year North- South civil war has instigated the return of more than one million refugees and Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) to already depleted areas that are lacking any of the basic services, thus creating immense difficulties for reintegration. One of the consequences of this has been a series of disease outbreaks (e.g. yellow fever, meningitis, cholera) requiring swift humanitarian response. Moreover, the almost five year long conflict in Darfur has led to more than 4,000,000 people being affected 5, including more than 2,000,000 IDPs and 236,000 refugees in Chad 6. Since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006, the situation has further deteriorated and elements of a protracted crisis are in place. The conflict stakeholders have further fragmented, leading to rising insecurity 7 and reduced access to some camps and rural areas, new waves of IDPs, and more violations of the International Humanitarian Law (IHL). With this global plan, the Commission, through the Directorate General for Humanitarian Aid (DG ECHO), will continue assisting the reintegration of refugees and IDPs in Southern Sudan and the transitional areas, increasing access to basic services and protection, with a focus on health, water, nutrition and food security in the return areas and in the communities facing extreme challenges to ensure survival. In Darfur, DG ECHO will continue providing integrated assistance, to save lives and to stabilize the living conditions of IDPs, refugees, and communities whose coping mechanisms are steadily eroding and who are becoming more and more dependant on external aid. In the whole of Sudan DG ECHO will aim at reducing morbidity and mortality linked to outbreak of diseases, natural disasters, public heath stresses and conflict, and will improve the humanitarian and operational environments through support to special mandates and common services. In 2008, humanitarian aid will remain essential in Southern Sudan and the transitional areas, experiencing a complex post-conflict situation with a slow and difficult onset of development programmes and weak government institutions, and in Darfur where, due to the conflict, millions of people depend on external aid for their survival. The Commission's engagement will therefore continue to be considerable. The proposed envelope for the global plan for Sudan is EUR 70,000,000 over 18 months. The global plan has the necessary flexibility in order to ensure appropriate and prompt response to the likely changing circumstances in Alongside this Global Plan decision there is a separate Global Food Aid decision to address food aid and emergency food security needs, with a foreseen allocation of 40,000,000 EUR for Sudan. 5 UN Darfur Profile, September Sudanese refugees are being assisted through funding decisions covering the countries where they are hosted. 7 Since January 2007, 98 cars belonging to humanitarian agencies have been hijacked, 226 humanitarian personnel have been kidnapped, arrested or physically assaulted, including 5 killed. (UN Darfur profile, September 2007). ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

8 2. CONTEXT AND SITUATION 2.1. General Context Sudan covering 2,500,000 km² is the largest country in Africa. Its population is estimated at 37,800, The country ranks at the bottom 20th percentile of nations on the Human Development Index 9. Overall, the mortality rate of the children under 5 years old is 90 per 1, and life expectancy is 56.6 years 5. An estimated 30 percent of the population is without access to safe drinking water 5, and 50 percent lived below the poverty line in 1999/2000 (over 90 percent in the South). However these figures vary greatly between regions and have deteriorated throughout the years of conflict since then. The DG ECHO Vulnerability and Crisis Index score puts the population at the most severe rank of 3/3. Sudan, with its long track record of conflicts, experienced a civil war from 1983 between the Government of Sudan (GoS) and the then rebel movement of Southern Sudan, Sudan People's Liberation Movement/Army (SPLM/A) until the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in January The CPA, to be fully implemented requires, among other provisions, a census in 2008, national elections in July 2009 and a Referendum in the South on self-determination in Southern Sudan is facing a tremendous challenge having to build a functioning state and economy from scratch and under extreme time pressure. In parallel, conflicts took place in other areas marginalized by the central regime, like in the East for which the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) with the Eastern Front was signed in October 2006, but most of all in the Greater Darfur Region since The Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) was signed between the Government of National Unity (GNU) and one of the rebel movements, the Sudan Liberation Movement lead by Mini Arkou Minawi (SLM/MM) in May However, given that the situation on the ground has been constantly changing with an increased level of violence, fragmentation of uncontrolled armed group, and insecurity spilling over to bordering States, a new round of peace talks started in Sirte, Libya, at end of October 2007 to find a solution to this conflict that has already killed more than 200,000 people. AMIS, the African Mission in Sudan 11, should remain deployed until the arrival of the joint AU-UN 12 force UNAMID, planned in January 2008 according to UN Security Council Resolution Conflicts and natural disasters as well as economic hardship have contributed to massive levels of displacement. There are approximately 5,400,000 internally displaced persons, representing about 14 percent of the population 13, including more than 1,000,000 living around Khartoum. An additional 700,000 people live abroad as refugees 14. Darfur is also hosting more than 50,000 Chadian refugees 8. 8 UNFPA, UNDP, UNICEF, AMIS was funded in United Nations Security Council Resolution African Union and United Nations. 13 IDMC - Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre- June UNHCR, ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

9 2.2. Current Situation Darfur: The signature of the DPA in May 2006 triggered a further fragmentation of the rebel groups (signatory and non-signatories of the DPA), new fighting, changes of alliances, multiplication of the frontlines, and cross-border movements of rebels and civilians with neighbouring Chad. The launch of a new round of peace negotiations in addition to the expected deployment of the UNAMID mission in the coming months is currently exacerbating localised fighting and banditry on roads, and violence in camps (including circulation of arms), including ambushes, looting and killing of civilians and humanitarian workers. The visible deterioration of the humanitarian situation is well documented, and none of the observers expect a change in this trend in the near future. In such a context where the protection level is at its lowest, 15 access to beneficiaries and delivery of aid in camps and rural areas is constantly challenged 16. A reverse of this trend is unlikely at least until UNAMID's effective deployment has a real impact on the ground. In order to keep the same level of assistance to the victims of the conflict, and to ensure timely response to new emergencies, there is a need to increase logistics, transport and security support. Southern Sudan: Southern Sudan is characterized by a slow implementation of the CPA and a fragile security situation with sporadic surges in tensions among armed factions and ethnic groups. The return of displaced Sudanese began in 2004, and picked up pace over the past months with the support of a UN joint approach with GNU and the GoSS. It is estimated that over this period more than 1,200,000 IDPs alongside 158,000 refugees (approximately 38 percent of the total refugees) 17 returned to Southern Sudan and the transitional areas. For 2008, assumptions indicate 500,000 expected returns 18. Many more IDPs and refugees are waiting to return, but continued political tensions, the slow rate of post-conflict recovery, the lack of infrastructure, employment and livelihood opportunities, and the prolonged rainy season during which large parts of the terrain are inaccessible, all discourage potential returnees and place real stress on those who have returned. Moreover, the perception amongst the donor community that Southern Sudan is ready for development is occulting the huge humanitarian needs in terms of access to water, basic health services, food security and livelihood opportunities for the majority of its 7,500,000 population 19. After 22 years of war the population is expecting immediate peace dividends, which is creating a deep tension between the short-term demands and the long-term requirements. Other areas of concern: Pressure from the returnees and unresolved disputes between North and South on the sovereignty of the transitional areas (Blue Nile, Abyei and Nuba Mountains) has compounded an already fragile context. Access to land and water in these areas remains a bone of contention between tribes. In Khartoum and neighbouring states, the forced and violent resettlement of IDPs has continued unimpeded. In Kordofan, Red Sea State and Kassala, access for humanitarian workers is difficult. 15 AU mission is itself a target, as shown by the attack on Haskanita on 29 th September 2007, where the AMIS base was attacked and 10 AU soldiers killed. 16 In 2007, 22 ECHO funded projects were partially or totally suspended in Darfur due to targeted attacks on partners or fighting in the project area. 17 1,230,000 IDPs and refugees (1,100,000 spontaneous & 130,294 organized returns) UNHCR September organized returns North-South since IOM, June planning assumption for return. 19 UNFPA, ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

10 Natural disasters such as droughts and floods have a significant impact on the lives and livelihood of the population. Over the past twenty-five years, Sudan has recorded eighteen droughts, the most severe of which occurred between 1980 and 1984 and were accompanied by famine and displacement 20. The flooding of last summer 2007 affected more than 400,000 people, including 200,000 in Southern Sudan. 3. IDENTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT OF HUMANITARIAN NEEDS Darfur: The on-going conflict has rendered life more dangerous and constraining for the 4,140,000 affected people in the whole of Darfur. As a result, no significant return of IDPs is expected to take place in On the contrary, the number of people forced to flee into gatherings and camps is rising with an average of 1,000 new IDPs every day since January , up to a total of 2,150,000 IDPs in September The protraction of the crisis and its growing complexity are resulting in the exhaustion of the coping mechanism of the overall population and the increasing dependence on international aid. All the following sectors will need continued massive support from the international community 23. Health: The efforts made to cover the primary health care needs in IDPs' camps should be maintained and even reinforced as the number of IDPs is growing. In remote and rural areas, supply and support is more limited due to insecurity 24. Through its partners, DG ECHO will continue supporting more than 87 primary health care clinics, including mobile clinics where permanent structures do not exist, as well as hospitals in order to ensure free access to emergency secondary health care for IDPs and conflict-affected populations, within a life-saving perspective. Nutrition: Despite security and access difficulties, there is nutritional data available for Darfur, based on more than 100 surveys done over the last 4 years. The trends in 2007 indicate a serious deterioration of the nutritional status, sometimes far above emergency thresholds of 15% for GAM 25, with rural and urban areas and with IDP and resident populations, being more and more equally affected. There is a need to stabilize acute malnutrition rates below emergency thresholds through a scale up of routine supplementary feeding programmes 26, improvements in community-based prevention and identification of malnutrition, strengthening of partners' capacity to link with related public-health interventions, and ensuring a rapid and flexible response to localized nutritional emergencies. Water & Sanitation: Water resources in camps are under increasing stress due to constant IDP' movements towards the camps, and there is a need for emergency solutions. The effort to maintain or put in place water pumps will be continued, as no massive return to rural areas is foreseen in the coming months. The increased size and numbers of camps, makes environmental health a top priority. The construction or maintenance of thousands of latrines will be pursued in order to avoid major outbreaks of disease and their disastrous consequences. 20 UNEP, UNOCHA, July Darfur Humanitarian Profile, Sept Mainly from the U.S., the EU Member States, Japan, Canada, Australia and Switzerland % of population having access to primary health care, OCHA, Sudan Work Plan Global Acute Malnutrition for the May/September 2007 period between 15,9% and 30,4% of general population and ACF Darfur Nutritional Situation, October UNICEF Sudan, Darfur Nutrition Update, issue 10 (July/August 2007). 26 ECHO HQ/RSO mission report 28 September operational recommendations. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

11 Food security: Both within and outside of IDP' camps, there are some opportunities for short-term agricultural and food security activities to improve the dietary intake and decrease the dependency and reliance on food aid 27. There is therefore a need to link these activities with the large food aid operations (funded under the specific DG ECHO Food Aid financial decision with an amount of EUR 40,000,000 foreseen for Sudan), so that any potential to enhance the immediate food security, nutritional intake and shortterm livelihood prospects of people affected by the long lasting crisis can be optimised. Southern Sudan, North and Transitional areas: The absence or disrepair of basic services in large parts of Southern Sudan and the transitional areas is alarming, particularly for health. The return movement has led to historical outbreaks of cholera in 2006 and meningitis in 2007, as well as a suspected increase in HIV transmission. The 2007 floods affected the already appalling standard of health services. The first cases of Hemorrhagic Fever and suspected Rift Valley Fever, were registered early October 2007 in White Nile state and Sinnar. In a context characterized by insufficient access to safe water, sanitation facilities and hygiene promotion for the majority of the population, compounded by limited income and inhibiting cultural practices, in 2008, assistance needs to be maintained and strengthened in the following sectors: Health: It is estimated that less than a third of the population have access to adequate healthcare and water. The maternal mortality ratio is around 2,037 deaths per 100,000 lives birth 28 and the under-five year's mortality rate is 135 per 1,000 births 29, which are amongst the highest ratios in the world. Because of the lack of capacity of the Ministry of Health and the slow implementation of the Multi Donor Trust Fund, health services still depend largely on International NGOs and humanitarian support. Southern Sudan and the Transitional areas are prone to regular outbreaks and natural disasters that are fostering epidemic spreading of diseases. Nutrition: The results of a number of recent surveys indicate that in eight of the ten Southern Sudan states, GAM rates exceeded the emergency threshold of 15 % 30, with highest levels in Unity State (39 %), Upper Nile (37 %), Western Bahr el Ghazal (35 %) and Northern Bahr el Ghazal (32 %). Even though it is known that livelihoods and coping mechanisms have been seriously eroded during the war (including widespread asset depletion), the causes of malnutrition appear more related to a lack of access to clean water and health services, and a lack of education contributing to poor child care and child feeding practices. War patterns with regards to food habits still impede an evolution towards more diversified and healthy food intake, resulting in longstanding acute malnutrition still prevailing in many areas. Water & Sanitation: With limited public health and water supply services during more than 22 years of conflict, Southern Sudan presents by far the worst conditions in terms of access to these services compared to other areas of the country 31. Access to safe water, 27 58% of IDPs households and 34% of resident households are severely food insecure WFP et al., Darfur Emergency Food Security and Nutrition Assessment, OCHA Sudan Household Health Survey, Millennium Development Goals, Interim Report for Southern Sudan, WFP et al., Annual Needs and Livelihoods Assessment, South Sudan, In 2000, estimates of access to safe water and sanitation in Southern Sudan were 27% and 15% respectively. Millennium Development Goals - Interim Report for Southern Sudan, In addition, in 2004 the Joint Assessment Mission gave an estimate of 25% and 30% access to safe water and basic sanitation, with only 35% of the rural water points functional at any point in time. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

12 especially in the rural areas needs to be increased, including new water points but also the rehabilitation of thousands of bore holes, to be coupled with hygiene promotion and capacity building. Food security: Markets are still under-developed and paralysed by poor infrastructure. There are limited productive and economic capacities. The large numbers of returnees are causing severe pressures on both access to, and availability of locally produced food. Conditions are not yet conducive for the promotion of increased local production on a large scale due to the still slow and precarious process towards recovery and development. In addition, there is still evidence that food aid dependency has yet to be challenged by increased support to the development of local capacities and self-reliance. Though food security kept on improving, following the CPA, the recent floods are expected to have had a negative impact on the conditions of many households in the affected areas (loss of crops, cattle and assets). This impact is still to be measured by FAO and WFP in particular, as many of the affected areas still remain physically inaccessible. Moreover some cross-cutting issues need particular attention: Environment: Several recent studies are raising significant concerns about environment and water resource management in Sudan 32, showing direct links between displacement, urbanization and the current patterns of conflict as well as the protection issue. There is a growing need to take into account environmental risks (i.e. linked to fuel wood collection and to water) within projects by applying the "Do no Harm approach" and to avoid future major public health problems, and help reduce tensions between refugees, IDPs and the local population on access to scarce natural resources and arable land. Common services and special mandates: Sudan is an extremely difficult environment to respond to humanitarian needs, especially in the violent and volatile context of Darfur and in the vast and poorly resourced environment of Southern Sudan. There is a strong need to support specific cross-cutting issues such as protection, general coordination and camp coordination, as well as logistics, transport and security, in order to improve operational capacities of DG ECHO partners, and to maintain their flexibility in volatile contexts. 4. PROPOSED DG ECHO STRATEGY 4.1. Coherence with DG ECHO's overall strategic priorities The strategy proposed under this decision is consistent with the DG ECHO's overall strategic priorities in four ways: Priority countries in need: Sudan ranks amongst the 20 countries most affected by poverty, natural disasters, and conflict in DG ECHO s vulnerability and crisis assessment (GNA). Humanitarian crisis: The crisis in Darfur continues to be considered as the worst and largest crisis in the world today. At the same time, other high humanitarian needs 32 UNEP Post conflict environmental assessment, June 2007; Tearfund Relief in a vulnerable environment March ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

13 continue to exist or are expected to arise elsewhere in Sudan, generated by, for example, the impact of a post-peace return process, the high prevalence of communicable diseases, or tensions along the borders. Mainstreaming cross-cutting issues: Attention to vulnerable groups such as children, women, the elderly, and the disabled and possible HIV/AIDS actions (such as protection against sexual violence, and anti-retroviral post exposure prophylaxis if possible) will be strongly encouraged into the operations identified by the partners. Linking Relief Rehabilitation and Development (LRRD): In those areas where the context is conducive to promote a peaceful and sustainable transition from humanitarian aid into recovery and development, DG ECHO will continue to liaise with other Commission services and donors with the aim of encouraging LRRD Impact of previous humanitarian response The Commission has contributed EUR 135,000,000 to support humanitarian operations implemented effectively in , out of which 70% have been allocated to Darfur compared with a 22% allocation for Southern Sudan and 8% for the North and Transitional Areas. DG ECHO has kept a distinctive focus on lifesaving activities, targeting an estimated total of 6,000,000 vulnerable people, the vast majority being IDPs, refugees and returnees. The Commission support also reached 800,000 people affected by large-scale floods and outbreaks of cholera and meningitis through the distribution of food and relief items and the provision of healthcare and clean water. Food aid and emergency food security operations allowed vital support to be delivered through virtually uninterrupted general food distributions to 3,100,000 people, IDPs, refugees and residents in Darfur. In complement, short term food security interventions reached some 420,000 households all over Sudan mainly through support to selfsubsistence farming and animal health services. Funding support allowed basic health and nutrition needs of approximately 5,500,000 million people, the vast majority in Darfur, to be covered by means of access to quality primary and secondary health and nutritional services provided in an estimated 271 health and nutritional facilities. Water, sanitation and hygiene promotion allowed more than people to have permanent access to safe drinking water, sanitation facilities and public health measures. Main activities focused on the construction and rehabilitation of 693 hand pumps and 29 motorized pump stations, chlorination of more than 1,900 water points, construction and maintenance of 16,898 latrines along with training, education and distribution of hygiene items. Support to coordination, protection and monitoring of refugees and IDPs, air transport, and security has improved the humanitarian and operational environments for more than 200 humanitarian organizations operating in Sudan. In Darfur, the vast majority of humanitarian agencies have been able to ensure a permanent presence of around 12,000 relief workers on the ground, despite prevailing and worsening security situation. 33 Alongside the EUR 70,000,000 Global Plan decision for 2008 there is a separate Global Food Aid decision with a foreseen allocation of EUR 40,000,000 for Sudan to fund food aid and emergency food security operations in a coordinated way. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

14 4.3. Coordination with activities of other donors and institutions In Southern Sudan where most of international NGOs managed to gradually reinforce their presence and capacity on the ground, DG ECHO has increased its leading role in the humanitarian coordination, with a permanent presence in Juba. Because donors sense that Southern Sudan is in a full post-conflict situation, funds allocated for humanitarian assistance and early recovery have seriously diminished to the benefit of development funds. However, it will take time for these funds to have an effective impact on services delivery, at least until their mechanisms of implementation become more appropriate to be used by all type of partners which in turn need to improve their absorption capacities. In Khartoum, coordination with humanitarian institutions and the United Nations (UN) has been particularly effective within the High Level Committee, as a result of the issuance of the Joint Communiqué signed in March 2007 between the Government of Sudan and the UN, helping to facilitate administrative procedures and obligations related to humanitarian activities in Darfur. Specific coordination has taken place with the Federation of the Red Cross/Red Crescent (IFRC), international NGOs and UN agencies such as OCHA, the World Health Organisation (WHO) and the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), in the response to the floods in the South and the transitional areas. Following on from the signature of the CPA in 2005, the European Commission resumed cooperation with Sudan and so far has committed over EUR 400,000,000 in long-term development assistance under the EDF and the Community budget. This assistance is addressing post conflict recovery, rehabilitation and development activities in the Northern and Southern parts of Sudan. This is complemented by the significant bilateral contributions of humanitarian assistance by EU Member States mainly for Darfur. Through the African Peace Facility more than EUR 242,000,000 has been provided to support the operational costs of the African Union peacekeeping force in Darfur (AMIS) since its establishment in April In addition to regular exchanges of information with the Delegation, specific coordination is taking place regarding food security operations and response to disasters, as well as on issues linked to the displaced people around Khartoum. Besides bilateral cooperation, the World Bank and United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), by means of funding mechanisms such as the Multi Donor Trust Fund (MDTF) chaired by the World Bank, the Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) for Sudan, and more recently the Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund are tasked to facilitate the disbursement of medium- and long-term development funds. Moreover, the annual UN Work Plan has become an important vehicle for strategy development and funding of humanitarian recovery, and development programmes Risk assessment and assumptions Sudan will continue to go through complex simultaneous situations of crisis, conflict and transition towards longer-term development in different parts of the country, for which several international responses have been established. In Darfur, the current volatile and unpredictable security situation is likely to continue, impacting negatively the humanitarian situation and the delivery of aid. Further threats and attacks on humanitarian workers could also lead to an increase in temporary or definitive suspensions of activities, as has been already the case since Further ethnical polarisation, political divisions and radicalization is another risk to be considered as it continues to lead to increased unpredictable violence, including in IDP camps. Whilst ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

15 forced movements of population can be expected, the number of returns is likely to be low. In South Sudan, insecurity in potential residual conflict zones, such as Jonglei/Upper Nile and the Equatorias, will be likely to persist, mainly due to instability created by uncontrolled armed groups, banditry, inter-ethnic clashes and landmine threats. The transition to longer-term assistance will continue to pose huge challenges for the international community to cover the existing gap between humanitarian and development aid. The upcoming population census planned for 2008 and the subsequent elections may create further political tensions and instability. The GoS policy of forced relocation in Khartoum and the Government of Southern Sudan's interest in intensifying the returns to the South will generate increased tensions as well as humanitarian needs in existing and newly created IDP areas. These increased humanitarian needs will be tackled by a still relatively small number of international NGOs. In order to be prepared to respond promptly and adequately to the above mentioned challenging factors, flexibility, vigilance, and realism will prevail in However, the absorption capacity of humanitarian actors mainly in Darfur and Southern Sudan is weakening with difficulties in finding experienced staff and the rapid turnover of human resources given the extremely challenging working environments. In addition, operational costs are steadily increasing as a result of insecurity and rising prices of goods and services, impacting negatively the efficiency of the interventions, and imposing a serious challenge for agencies and donors to be able to sustain the same levels of quality and coverage DG ECHO Strategy Principal objective: To save and protect lives and reduce the suffering of the most vulnerable populations in Sudan. As in previous years, DG ECHO will continue providing integrated humanitarian assistance focusing on the populations and areas with the highest needs, and targeting support to the return and reintegration process, taking into account diverse regional and local situations. This plan also aims at financing and promoting principled humanitarian assistance in support of, and complementary to, other mandated assistance initiatives, as well as common services to improve operational capacities. In all instances and as required in previous years, a great degree of flexibility will be essential in order to adapt to different possible scenarios. Specific objective 1 - To reduce mortality and morbidity among highly vulnerable populations through integrated assistance. In Darfur, due to the complexity of the crisis and despite the inauguration of a new round of peace negotiations, and the deployment of the UNAMID force, the vast majority of IDPs will remain, at least partly, in camps, seeking security and assistance. Emphasis will be put on the continuation of lifesaving activities in IDP and refugees camps and settlements, as well as enhancing the humanitarian efforts in rural communities when accessible. Assistance will focus mainly on primary healthcare and emergency secondary health care, nutrition, provision of safe water and sanitation, as well as protection. Darfur is likely to remain a major displacement and protection crisis in ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

16 For the rest of the country, assistance will remain focused on lifesaving interventions targeting the most vulnerable population, with a special focus on needs arising from the return process and from internal displacement due to insecurity, along with needs arising from outbreaks of diseases and natural disasters. As far as possible, projects supported will be of an integrated nature covering health and nutrition, food security, water and sanitation, distribution of relief items, while ensuring adequate protection, enhancing effective coordination, emergency preparedness and response capacities. The response will take into account the growing environmental constraints. Priority will be equally given to areas experiencing returns of IDPs and refugees, marginalized areas with difficult access or where the level of needs is higher, and in areas where humanitarian indicators are deteriorating (e.g. Khartoum camps and relocation sites). Specific objective 2 - To improve humanitarian and operational environments through support to special mandates, as well as common services, including transport and logistics. In Darfur, the increased level of inaccessibility has reinforced the need for support to air services, logistics and security management for humanitarian agencies. DG ECHO will focus its attention on reinforcing its support to protection and camp coordination whenever possible given the restricted political and operational environments. In Southern Sudan and transitional areas, support to humanitarian transport and logistics, as well as to security management will be strengthened in order to allow partners to increase their operational coverage in remote areas and areas facing accessibility challenges. With regards to the return process, support will be given to tracking and monitoring mechanisms in order to facilitate the return and reintegration process of both assisted and spontaneous returnees. All over Sudan, DG ECHO will strengthen partners' capacities to provide a coordinated and effective response to the chronic crisis. DG ECHO will also help to address protection needs exacerbated by the conflict and by displacement of populations. Specific objective 3 To strengthen the preparedness to respond to humanitarian crisis. All over Sudan, DG ECHO will strengthen partners' capacities to provide a coordinated and effective response to emergencies, and to improve the preparedness and response mechanisms in place. DG ECHO will contribute to address threats to public health exacerbated by exceptional circumstances such as natural disasters and major outbreaks of diseases. Specific objective 4 - To maintain a technical assistance capacity in the field, to assess needs, appraise project proposals and to coordinate and monitor the implementation of operations. In order to maximize the impact of humanitarian aid for the victims, the Commission will maintain DG ECHO support offices in Khartoum, Nyala (Darfur) and Juba (South Sudan). These offices will appraise project proposals, co-ordinate and monitor the implementation of humanitarian operations financed by the Commission. The offices provide technical assistance capacity and necessary logistics for the positive achievement of its tasks. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

17 4.6. Duration The duration for the implementation of this decision will be 18 months. Humanitarian operations funded by this decision must be implemented within this period. If the implementation of the actions envisaged in this decision is suspended due to force majeure, or any comparable circumstance, the period of suspension will not be taken into account for the calculation of the duration of the humanitarian aid operations. Depending on the evolution of the situation in the field, the Commission reserves the right to terminate the agreements signed with the implementing humanitarian organizations where the suspension of activities is for a period of more than one third of the total planned duration of the action. In this respect, the procedure established in the general conditions of the specific agreement will be applied. ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

18 4.7. Amount of Decision and strategic programming matrix Total amount of the Decision: EUR 70,000, Strategic Programming Matrix To save and protect lives and reduce the suffering of the most vulnerable populations in the whole of Sudan Principal objective Specific objectives Allocated amount (EUR) Geographical area of operation Activities proposed Expected outputs / indicators Potential partners Specific objective 1: To reduce mortality and morbidity among highly vulnerable populations through integrated assistance. 46,000,000 Country-wide, with a specific focus on Darfur regions, Southern Sudan and the Transitional States, Kassala and Khartoum, as well as all areas in Sudan showing alarming key humanitarian indicators. Health. Reduce incidence of common infectious diseases and vaccinepreventable diseases. Prevention and control of epidemics through improved routine EPI and public health surveillance and ad hoc campaigns. Contribute to the prevention, control and treatment of malaria, Kala Azar, Sleeping Sickness and Tuberculosis. Mainstream HIV/AIDS related components in all DG ECHOfunded interventions where appropriate. Improve maternal and child health through ante- and post natal care. Severe impact of (potential) major outbreaks reduced or prevented. CMR under emergency threshold : Global population < 1 death/10000/day Under 5 < 2 death /10000/day Increased EPI coverage in targeted areas with lowest coverage rates. Reduced morbidity and mortality records in relation to the main common killer diseases among children under 5 and other common tropical illnesses such as malaria, cholera, Sleeping Sickness and TB. Increased ante- and post natal coverage and number of safe deliveries. HIV/AIDS related components mainstreamed in all DG ECHO-funded interventions where appropriate. - ACF - AAH UK - ACH - ACTED - ADRA Deutschland - ADRA Denmark - A.M.I. - AVSI - CAFOD - CAM - CARE - AUT - CONCERN WORLWIDE - CARE UK - CCM - COOPI - CORDAID - COSV - CR - GBR - CR-AUT - CROIX-ROUGE - DEU - CR - DK - CR-E - CR - FIN - CR-F - CR - NLD - CR - NOR - CR - SWE - DIAKONIE ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

19 Nutrition Reduce the prevalence of acute malnutrition, and associated morbidity and mortality, through surveillance, prevention and curative care (supplementary and therapeutic feeding), as well as improving awareness of causes of acute malnutrition. Water & sanitation Improve availability of safe water and environmental sanitation and promote awareness on health and personal hygienic practices. Nutritional status of target populations stabilised, as demonstrated through regular and reliable surveillance and surveys: o GAM Rates < 15% o SAM Rates < 1% Therapeutic services provided, with >50% coverage, in key locations as per commonly recognized parameters: o Length of stay < 30 days (TFC) o Length of stay < 60 days ( Community treatment) o Length of stay<90 days (SFC) o Recovery rate > 80 % (TFC, CT) o Recovery rate> 70 % (SFC) o Mortality rate < 5% (TFC, CT) Improved awareness within target communities on causes of malnutrition. Water and environmental sanitation conditions improved and leading to reduced incidence of water-born or water-related diseases. - DCA - DRC - EMDH - FAO - GAA - GOAL - HI - HNI - HAI - IAS - IFRC-FICR - IMC UK - INTERMON - IRC-UK - IR & IRW - JUH - MAG -MALTESER HILFSDIENST - MC - MdM E - MDM - FRA - MDM-GR - MdM-P - MEDAIR UK - MERLIN - MSF-B - MSF-CH - MSF-SP - MSF-F - MSF-H - NCA -NPA - OXFAM GB - PAH - PSF - RET - SCNL - SC(UK) - SOLIDARITES - TEARFUND - UK - TDH-CH - TRIANGLE - TROCAIRE - UNDP-PNUD - UNFPA - UNHCR - UNICEF - VSF - DZG - Belgium ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/

20 Livelihood & return Protect and strengthen the livelihoods of the most vulnerable through integrated food-security assistance (agriculture, fisheries and livestock) taking into account environmental and protection constraints. Support re-integration packages that allow voluntary returnees and refugees to settle in areas of return and recover their basic livelihoods. Increased availability and utilisation of selfproduced food amongst the poorest households. Decrease in the incidence of livestock diseases, and greater prevention of diseaseoutbreaks among livestock. * Increased availability of essential goods and basic services for returnees and host communities, including productive inputs and livelihood assets. - WFP-PAM - WHO - ZOA Specific objective 2: To improve humanitarian and operational environments through support to special mandates, as well as common services, including protection activities. 19,000,000 * Country-wide, with a specific focus on areas listed above; and all areas in Sudan where a disaster may strike. Common services Enhance humanitarian coordination, information flows, advocacy and policy development with the aim of reducing assistance gaps and avoiding overlaps. Contribute to secure working conditions for humanitarian workers through assessments, updates, training and evacuation services. Enhanced co-ordination in top priority regions (e.g. Darfur, Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria), also in view of regional problems affecting humanitarian needs such as LRA and Northern Uganda. Understanding and agreement among humanitarian actors as to humanitarian conditions, required action and policy/strategic matters. Maintained or improved humanitarian access through united inter-agency efforts. Understanding of the needs assured and facilitated due to comprehensive and uniform data collection, analysis, management and accessibility. Appropriate security services provided, leading to reduced risk for humanitarian workers. - BBC-TRUST - IOM - ICRC - MAG - NRC - OCHA - REDR - UNHCR - WFP-PAM ECHO/SDN/BUD/2008/