Initial Rapid Needs Assessment: Baggari and Busere Payams Western Bahr el Ghazal Date: 7 th July 2014.

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1 Executive summary Initial Rapid Needs Assessment: Baggari and Busere Payams Western Bahr el Ghazal Date: 7 th July On the April 2014, clashes reportedly broke out in Mapel and Wau military barracks between members of the SPLA. As a result unspecified numbers of soldiers reportedly deserted their barracks and went into unknown areas in Bagari and Bazia Payams. The deserted soldiers were reportedly occupying a number of villages in the two Payams causing displacement of people from the occupied villages. Local Payam authorities requested the RRC and humanitarian actors to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced population many of whom allegedly leaving under deplorable condition in forests around their villages. Reports from the RRC and the local population had indicated that there are a lot of IDPs scattered all over the bushes and are not willing to return so soon in their communities due to the presence of armed actors. On the 7 th July 2014, in the absence of UNOCHA, RCO-RRP in collaboration with the state RRC led an integrated team consisting of humanitarian actors (WFP, WHO, IOM, UNHCR, UNICEF, IMC, ACTED, CARITAS, Save the Children International (SCI), Ministry of Social Development, and SRRC) and some units in UNMISS (MLO, UNPOL, RCO-RRP, CAD, CP, HR, UN Security) to assess the communities. While UNMISS representatives focused on security, protection and human right related issues, the humanitarian actors concentrated on assessing the needs of the IDPs in their host communities. Due to the areas of coverage, two teams were formed and each team visited one Payam covering several villages. The teams were able to establish that the current displacement is as a result of the direct clashes between the deserters and the SPLA in the two Payam. Some of the inhabitants from Bagari Payam were displaced to Ngodakala, Farajala, and Ngisa Bomas and those from six Bomas (Maju, Namatina, Taban, Mpaile, Dedi and Dongolto in Bazia Payam were displaced to Busere village. The IDPs informed the assessment teams that their food had been looted and all their personal belongings including, cooking utensils. They said they are not prepared to return to their places of origin at the moment as long as armed actors are occupying their villages. Priority humanitarian needs identified include WASH, food, NFIs/ES, health, and protection, with a priority given to emergency shelter / NFIs and food. Therefore, the assessment team recommends immediate humanitarian support in the areas of identified needs. 1

2 Situation Overview: Bagari and Bazia Payams are now heavily militarised due to the presence of SPLA forces deployed to protect the communities against attacks from the deserters in the occupied villages. Unfortunately some of the deployed forces are occupying schools, and public health facilities. Some of the IDPs report harassment and assault by armed actors. In Bagari Payam, 5,518 individuals are said to have been displaced from the following villages. Baggari/Ngo-Dakalla, Farajalla, Ngissa. While in Bazia a total of 4,828 individuals were displaced from six villages (Na Matina, Maju, Maju, kpaile Dedi and Dongolto Bomas). Drivers of Crisis and underlying factors On 26 April 2014, unspecified numbers of SPLA soldiers reportedly deserted their barrack and went into unknown areas in Bagari and Bazia Payams following internal altercations. Military and police were deployed to the area but the local population have run to the bushes in fear of any cross fire between the two forces. Also, most of the community s food stock is reportedly depleted due to looting by armed actors. Scope of crisis and humanitarian profile Following skirmishes that took place on April 2014 in Mapel and Wau military barracks, SPLA deserters fled to Bagarri and Bazia Payams and settled in some villages and nearby forests. Their presence caused displacement of 1,068 people from Ngolimba, Ngobar, Kara and Bafara villages to Farjallah Boma, an additional 2,500 from the villages of Venduku, Daaka, Varallah, Fonfone, Taddin and Utir to Ngissa Boma. While 1,926 were displaced in Ngodakalah Boma making a total of 5,518 IDPs. In Bussere a total of 4,828 are being displaced from Bomas of Maju, Na Matina, Taban, Mpaile, Dedi and Dongol respectively. There have been reports of harassment and intimidation, arbitrary arrests and detention, threat to life and physical integrity, attacks on civilians, and looting of property by armed actors. Armed forces have occupied schools, health center, churches and homes. As part of coping, some displaced children compelled to stay at home and abandon their education. IDP s appreciated but expressed deep fears over the visit of humanitarian agencies: they feared that the armed forces/groups would harass them over whatever information shared. Moreover, any assistance could put them at further risks if they are perceived to be reporting on the security situation or if assistance attracts looting. This means HCF has to devise strategies to diffuse this. 2 Map Site population Population of IDPs in Baggari are 5,518 individuals and Bazia 4,828 individuals making a cumulative figure of 10,486 individuals displaced from the two Payams. Key Response Priorities FSL: Food assistance should be given to the IDPs as soon as possible. Health: Liaise with SMOH and other agencies to give medical supplies to the health facilities in the two Payams. Fixing of the cold chain system so that EPI services can resume. Nutrition Screening for malnutrition needs to be established immediately in Farajallah PHCU, this is the only facility that does not provide the service in the area. Farajallah PHCU needs to be equipped with weighing scales, height boards and MUAC tapes. Armed forces occupying Farajallah PHCU need to be relocated with immediate effect. Protection: Prevailing on the State authorities and the deserters to provide safe environment for the delivery of humanitarian aid. Advocacy at higher level for forces occupying school buildings and health facilities to evacuate the facilities. NFI/ES Registration and verification of the most vulnerable groups in the community to determine who needs full kits and loose items. WASH: The cluster to conduct in depth assessment for Pur distribution and, water supply coverage, mapping for rehabilitation of boreholes and water supply schemes. Community mobilisation and support with slabs, digging kits and technical guidance to construct household latrines. Hygiene promotion to ensure that household start applying safe hygiene (hand washing at critical

3 times) and water chain practices. Provision of safe water collection and drinking water storage containers (buckets with lid and taps to the schools). In conjunction with other clusters NFIs and shelter (to avoid duplication), consider distribution of water collection and storage containers Humanitarian Access The areas are easily accessible and all locations visited can be reached by road. Findings Camp Management and Camp Coordination The population in Bagari and Bazia are indigenous Balanda Fertit of Western Bahr El Ghazal State. Though the relation between the host communities and the displaced is good, there is over burden in terms of Food, Health and NFI. Priorities for humanitarian response Support the design of an emergency response for internally displaced persons Food Security and Livelihoods (FSL): - Only one small market in the area with some few shops and kiosk just for selling some few basic needs. - The main livelihoods of these people in the area depend on agriculture, small business and selling charcoal. - The IDPs were able to cope with their situation by reducing the amount and frequency of meals per day. At the moment, they are only eating a single meal per day for those who can afford. Others largely depend on wild forest fruits for survival. The IDPs currently are relying on foods given to them by relatives and friends from the host community. The food is mainly cassava tuber and leaves and wild foods. The number of meal/day is just one. Food and market access has highly deteriorated among the IDPS as well as the host community. Incoming generating activities such as charcoal burning has been interrupted. The IDPS are no longer attending to their farms and the food security situation is more likely to worsen in a month to come as there will be no crop yields. The displaced persons relied on the host community, relatives and friends as they are not able to go to collect food from their homes, making life very difficult. Food that people eat will not be enough for both the IDPs and the host 3

4 community. The deserters and the government soldiers share the same food with the community as a result food consumption rate become very high which may lead to food shortage in few days to come. With these crises the IDPs and the host community mainly depend on less preferred and cheaper foods like cassava tubers, cassava leaves wild fruits and premature crops. In these mentioned places income generating activities such as charcoal burning has become impossible because of the fear of being harassed and abused in the bush. There are no markets, shops nor kiosk where the IDPs and the host community could access food and other necessary daily needs. The displaced persons have no access to their agricultural activities because of fear of armed actors who may demand for food or information or who may loot goods. IDPs said that the amount of food people are eating since the crisis began change on average, amount consumed has decreased Some IDPs said their food will only lasted for less than 7 days, they ran with some few food stock almost finished and they fear to go back to due to insecurity. The IDPS gathered in old building, Government houses and some with the host community. The coping mechanism these IDPs used are collect wild foods from the bush. Most of these IDPs entirely on reduce number of meals eaten per day; limit portion size at meals and foods is mainly given to children. The main food normally consumed by the population are sorghum, Maize, Cassava, Sweet Potato and Green vegetable and fruits which is mostly from the host community. The only livelihoods of these inhabitants depend on agriculture, Small business, Casual wage labour, selling of charcoal for getting income, and livelihood which are all disrupted with these crisis. Through observation and interview the general situation of the IDPs is bad they have nothings to eat and currently they survive on wild fruits and little from the host community. Priorities for humanitarian response Verification and registration should be conducted so that assistance can be directed to the IDPs only. Provision of food assistance to the displaced and/or returning communities until they are able to harvest their crops. Where possible, agricultural inputs (seeds and tools) should be provided to those returning to their communities to continues with their faming activities. Health: Real and imminent food shortages were noted as a major constraint. Hygiene facilities are inadequate. Team realized a case of malnutrition due to poor food intake (one child is sick) with severe sign of malnutrition referred to Wau hospital by World Health Organization (WHO). Health facility(phcc) within the vicinity Most of the said IDPs looked healthy though one severely malnourished and dehydrated child was found. The facility is underutilized by both IDPs and the host community due to lack of drugs. The inability of facility to offer essential health services and primary vaccination was notable due to faulty refrigerator. There was no disease outbreak. Nutrition: Approximately 523 children under 5 years are among the displaced. Though none of the children displayed signs of malnutrition, cases of malnutrition cannot be ruled out, hence the need to conduct a nutritional assessment. Of the three health facilities visited (Ngodakallah and Ingissa), 2 provide screening and referral of malnutrition cases, while Farjallah does not provide the service. The two facilities were equipped with weighing scales, height boards and MUAC tapes, and had nurses that can take the anthropometric measurements and refer any child with 4

5 malnutrition to Wau. One health facility has been partially occupied by armed and police forces, though one room in the facility is still used by the CHW, their presence has limited access for services and reduced supplies. Drugs may soon run out of stock. The community has cultivated some crops, however; it is unlikely that they will harvest these crops if the situation prevails; as such a nutrition emergency is likely to occur if the current situation persists and no intervention is made. Priorities for humanitarian response: Approximately 523 children have been affected by this displacement. Though the children appeared well nourished on observation a rapid nutrition assessment must be conducted to identify those that may be moderately or even severely malnourished Screening for malnutrition needs to be established immediately in Farajallah PHCU, this is the only facility that does not provide the service in the area. Farajallah PHCU needs to be equipped with weighing scales, height boards and MUAC tapes. Health workers need to be trained on how to take these measurements and refer cases of malnutrition to the next level of care. Armed forces occupying health facilities need to be relocated with immediate effect. 5

6 Protection -Displacement reportedly started in June IDP main communities are not isolated in Bussere, Ngo-Dakalla and Ngissa, except in Farajalla. Most of the displaced are integrated into the host community, while other live with host families/relatives and friends. They all largely share communal activities, as they have a common tradition and beliefs. Most are ethnic Fertit/Balanda (Baggari and Bazia), and some Dinka. -Early indications to return: IDP s are not yet willing to return to their villages, because they are concerned over heavy presence of armed activities there. They fled homes and villages due to the chaos, looting, intimidation and harassment that ensued with the fighting. Safety and security of the displaced As observed and deduced from individuals and group interviews in the areas, security is described as: tense (no trust to either party), fragile (hope is getting lost, from all parties), and unpredictable. The IDPs complained of not being able to go to farms due to security concerns. Photo 1IDPs in Kadokala@Elizabeth/RRP Coexistence IDP s and host communities were already adjusting well. Some were able to find relatives, while many are trying to survive on own. There is an increasing strain on food resources, with imminent shortage. GBV: There were several GBV cases noted while fleeing in the bush and afterwards. Team learned that victims and families live in actual fear of retribution, if they reported such cases. Child protection Families were disrupted; however, according to a brief focus group discussion with women, there are no unaccompanied and separated children reported. Main concern was the military occupation of key social structures including schools and health units. Three schools, one health centre and the church are occupied by armed actors Ngo-Dakalla Primary School (P/S) is on halt, without teachers and education materials. Ngisa Primary School is operating, but it s greatly affected by the crisis that affected the attendance of the pupils (e.g. total enrolment was 282 and number dropped to 132). Suspected child soldiers were observed. IRNA team in Ngissa village Elizabeth/RRP Priorities for humanitarian response Immediate actions 6

7 Reactivate a protection taskforce to verify the most vulnerable individuals Ensure that the numbers of IDP s are verified on time in order to guide cluster interventions Liaise with the leadership of armed forces to draw their support to humanitarian access. Press upon them to strengthen their roles before, during and after any assistance to the affected populations Liaise with the State Police to increase safety and physical protection, esp. in Baggari Payam Monitor closely and identify emerging incidences and concerns, including access to land Track population movements within the areas of displacement (IDP s concentration sites) Establish the patterns of displacement, in order to track early indications to return IDP registration, issuance of identifying cards and documentation; to distinguish IDP s and hosts Follow up on GBV cases for treatment, and other referrals. Provide PEP and dignity kits Meet with State Forces Authorities for an alternative shelter for their personnel so that schools can be a friendly environment for learning Discuss with armed actors the June 2014 re-commitment Agreement on recruitment and use of children into armed forces Identify the cases,, if any, of children missing/unaccompanied/separated, for FTR Provide non-food items to the most vulnerable individuals identified by NFI/ES Cluster Follow up and re-verify the level of need for non-food tiems, in order to guide distributions Medium-to-long term: Track population movements to and from the areas of return, liaising with local authorities Coordinate with armed actors for possible screening/demobilization of children Provide psychosocial training to community leaders within areas of displacement (coexistence) Preposition 100 emergency/family tents and 1,000 dignity kits for distribution when need arises Verify the level of need for temporary shelters, including tents for child friendly spaces, if any. NFI/ES: -The team observed that most of the shelters are intact but some with minor damages. - IDPs said all their belonging was looted and that they were not able to take anything with them. -IDPs said they urgently need, Cooking utensils, plastic sheeting, mats, blankets and mosquito nets 7

8 Priorities for humanitarian response: There is a need for the NFI Cluster to do the registration and verification of the most vulnerable groups in the community to determine who needs full kits and loose items. Registration and verification of the most vulnerable groups in the community to determine who needs full kits and loose items. WASH: 3 functional hand pumps One shallow well fitted with diesel pump not functioning 2 Unprotected shallow wells. Using bucket and rope to scope out the water. 1 broken hand pumps near the Bussere health facility. Open defecation done far away from the homesteads. Hardly any household latrine seen. Only institutional ones at the Boma compound. No hygiene facilities seen even at schools visited. Knowledge of washing hands with a detergent at critical times, hardly available among the persons met. Priorities for humanitarian response Check the water quality and assess the quantity of the water in the unprotected shallow wells. Carry out water quality checks of broken hand pump and repair including apron repair. Disinfect and protect the wells against both contamination using a hand pump and risks to water collectors Check thoroughly the existing motorised shallow well (quality and quantity) and consider installation of either a hand pump or motorised pump Promote household latrines using modified CLTS with provision of slabs, digging kits and technical guidance on how to construct, correctly use and look after a shared family latrine. Promote safe practice hand washing with detergent at critical times and safe water chain keeping the safe water safe all the way from collection from safe source, transportation in clean containers, storage in clean containers and drinking with clean containers. Distribute soap as part and parcel of hygiene promotion Education 3 schools (2 primary schools and 1 closed secondary school) Closed secondary school has very beautiful permanent buildings. Closed because there are no teachers. No single teacher identified among the IDPs. It was reported that they went to Wau Municipality probably to look for paid work? There were no children at Bussere Primary School. The teachers, who were folding their hands, told the visiting team that children 8

9 were told to go for registration at the Boma Offices. When asked, number of new children that joined the school after April 25, 2014, they indicated none. The school has 2 additional TLS under construction. The Bussere Boma authorities did not have the number of the IDP children aged 6 12 years, as registration was still in progress. Priorities for humanitarian response Work with WASH cluster to ensure hygiene and safe water practices are promoted in the school, Identify teachers within the IDPs and work with the local authorities to redeploy them among the host schools. Consider expanding the classroom capacity TLS construction to cater for the increased number of children in the schools. Provide learning and teaching materials Work with H&N cluster to ensure U15 year old access services measles vaccination. Follow-up assessment to determine the actual numbers of displaced school going children The SMoE to deploy teachers to this Bussere Secondary school before the beginning of the next academic year. Next steps Based on the Humanitarian priorities identified, the following Cluster Responses are committed: Cluster Priority actions Human and material resources required CCCM Verify figures and/or conduct a humanitarian led registration exercise. Identify Community Leaders Train Community Leaders Establish Community Centre s Monitor IDP site movement Responsible Entity RRC/IOM/UNH CR By when Immediatel y before mid July 2014 FSL Verification and registration of displaced persons to be followed by immediate food distribution. -Provision of seeds and tools to returning IDPs. Food, necessary logistics and personnel Seeds, tools WFP,FAO Immediatel y before mid July 2014 Health Liaise with SMOH and other agencies to give medical supplies to the facility. IMC 9

10 Nutrition Conduct a rapid nutrition assessment on children 6-59 months. 4-5 nutritionists are needed to conduct a rapid nutrition assessment. Establish nutrition screening at Farjallah PHCU, train health workers and provide nutrition equipment. Request the government to vacate soldiers/police residing in healt facilities One weighing scale, a height board and some MUAC tapes (5) Vitamin A capsules and Mebendazole tablets Train a health worker at Farajallah to conduct nutrition screening in the. UNICEF & SMoH 72 hrs 1 week Advocate to the government to relocate the armed forces. RRC & UNOCHA/Gove rnment ASAP Protection -Advocate with the State Authorities for alternative shelters for their personnel so that schools can be a friendly environment for learning, Protection cluster partners, Child Protection, UNICEF,UNOC HA, UNMISS RRP GBV WG, Gender/MoSD immediate -Liaise with the leadership of government forces and deserters to elicit their support on humanitarian access. Follow up on GBV cases for treatment, and other referrals. Provide PEP kits SHELTER / -NFI Cluster to do the NFI registration and verification of the most vulnerable groups in the community to determine who needs full kits and loose items. Education -More space for learning TLS -Identify and redeploy IDP teachers -Work with other sectors WASH and H&N to get services for children -Provide learning and teaching materials -SMoE to deploy teachers to this Bussere Secondary school -Follow-up assessment to know number of displaced school going age and plan for them WASH Repair 1 hand pump and protect 2 shallow wells Modified CLTS with slabs, 10 Assorted NFI kits Some, UNICEF, cluster partners DRWSS, cluster partners, UNICEF technical guidance, -Water collection and storage IOM, Cluster members some and UNICEF UNICEF and DRWSS Immediatel y before the end of July 2014 Immediatel y before mid July 2014 Immediatel y before

11 Assessment information digging kits and technical guidance, Hygiene promotion with soap distribution containers -Digging tools- Soap and Slabs mid July 2014 IRNA stands for Initial Rapid Needs Assessment. Initial: Serves as a first look at locations where immediate emergency humanitarian response is anticipated, and determines immediate priorities for intervention registration and targeting of caseload can be required as follow-up, or blanket distribution of aid can be actioned directly. Rapid: Deployed quickly, from a list of pre-trained and pre-qualified humanitarian personnel Needs Assessment: The IRNA is an Inter-agency and inter-cluster process using an ICWG-endorsed tool, reporting format and methodology namely The IRNA form, and the IRNA Reporting Template. The IRNA was endorsed by the South Sudan Inter Cluster Working Group (ICWG) and launched in November 2012, combined with training of humanitarian actors at Juba and state level. The assessment was conduct by the following team: No Org. Names Title Cluster Telephone 1 ACTED Amule Julius WASH Eng WASH amulejulius@yahoo com 2 UNICE Edward WASH WASH/Ed ebwengye@unicef.org F Bwengye Specialist ucation 3 UNICE Paula Nuer Health/Nutrit Health/Nut pnuer@unicef.org F ion specialist rition 4 IOM Moses Udo CCC NFI&ES mosudo@iom.int coordinator 5 WFP FSL 6 RRP/RC Elizabeth NPO Coordinati baroudi@un.org O Baroudi on 7 RRP/RC Nelson Duku PA Coordinati dukun@un.org O 8 UNHCR Piol Piol James 9 RRC William Daniel Community Services Associate Acting Director Coordinates in: Buserre: N:08,28,56.4 E: 02,84, 04,41 Bagari: N: E: Ngodakalla: N: E: Farajalla: N: E: Ngissa: N: E: on Protection coordinatio n