SUDAN/CHAD SITUATION UPDATE 58 4 June 2006

Transcription

1 SUDAN OPERATIONS SUDAN/CHAD SITUATION UPDATE 58 4 June 2006 Returnee children in Chali El Fiel, Blue Nile State. UNHCR/A. Imai/May 2006

2 SOUTH SUDAN Security The overall security situation in South Sudan remained largely stable. The security situation in the Mvolo area (Western Equatoria) was tense following clashes between the Dinka Agar and Jur tribes of Lakes and Western Equatoria States respectively, which reportedly resulted in the displacement of a large number of people. The SPLA sent forces to control the fighting. Repatriation from Ethiopia Since the beginning of the repatriation of refugees from Ethiopia on 31 March, 1,507 individuals (399 families) of the Uduk ethnic group have been repatriated from Bonga refugee camp in three convoys. Out of these, 1,001 individuals (261 families) returned to Chali El Fiel and the remaining 504 individuals (138 families) returned to Nylie (Blue Nile State). The repatriation of refugees from Sherkole refugee camp started on 18 April and since then 1,038 individuals (275 families) have been brought home. In total, 2,545 refugees have returned from Ethiopia with UNHCR s assistance since the start of the operation. A returnee shelter in Chali El Fiel. UNHCR/A. Imai/May 2006 Reintegration of returnees in Chali UNHCR staff who recently visited the Chali return area (Blue Nile State) were impressed to see that, following years of war and abandonment, a village buzzing with activity has sprung up merely a few weeks after people have returned from exile. Many tukuls have been constructed since the first return movements and returnees are busy building more before the onset of the rains (through World Vision and Church UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 2

3 Ecumenical Action in Sudan, UNHCR has provided them with sickles, axes and machetes to assist them in constructing their homes). A small market which provides basic supplies has been established and a few shops and other businesses have opened. Despite the difficulties of setting up their village from scratch, the returnees are proud to be back and are happily going about rebuilding their lives. UNHCR, other UN agencies and NGOs, along with the Government, are helping them in the reintegration process by drilling boreholes, pre-positioning food for the rainy season, distributing seeds and tools, deploying a medical team and constructing schools. The first shop set up by returnees in Chali El Fiel. UNHCR/J. Lopez-Cifuentes/May 2006 Returnee monitoring in Belatuma On 2 June, UNHCR carried out a returnee monitoring mission to Belatuma, Blue Nile State, the area of origin of 444 repatriated refugees. Although the returnees have arrived a little over two weeks ago, they have settled and constructed 52 tukuls, mainly on a plot of land set aside for them by the existing Uduk community. All returnees have settled in Belatuma Central, including the few who had indicated that their places of origin were Bayeth, Penaduma and Bambellan. Those interviewed indicated that they did not have security concerns and were not experiencing problems in reintegrating. The main complaint was that the water pump in the village is insufficient to supply the population. The returnees were also concerned that the food ration they had received was running out. UNHCR informed WFP which assured that a food distribution would take place on 3 June. The returnees were grateful that they had received tools and seeds and requested further assistance with hoes and sickles as well as cabbage and okra seeds. The returnees also requested that the health facilities be expanded to service a growing population. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 3

4 Repatriation from Kenya Repatriation from Kakuma refugee camp, Kenya, to Bor (Jonglei State) took place on 15 and 19 May with two separate flights to Padak and Payangor airstrip respectively, consisting of 95 persons in total. The returnees were provided with a one-month food ration by WFP and were transported to their payams. The first return operation from Kakuma refugee camp to Bentiu (Unity State) took place on 20 May. The flight landed at Rubkoana airstrip with 53 returnees (22 families) and the IOM escorting staff. Upon arrival, the returnees were welcomed by the Deputy Governor/Minister of Social Development of Unity State, the Director of the Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) Unity State, UN agencies and NGOs. After the returnees received their food rations, the Deputy Governor personally handed each returnee family a cow and 10,000 Sudanese Dinars (about 45 US Dollars). The returnees were then medically screened by CARE Sudan and provided with mine awareness materials. All those going beyond Bentiu were transported to their various destinations. Transportation was facilitated by the Indian contingent, which also provided a tank of clean water, juice and biscuits for the journey. Three flights carrying a total of 146 returnees from Kakuma refugee camp arrived in Malakal (Upper Nile State) on 21 May. This particular group of returnees were received by their community leaders from Kakuma refugee camp who were on a go and see visit to Malakal. The final destinations of the returnees were Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity States. Three more flights with 142 returnees on board landed in Malakal on 28 May. Two of the flights were scheduled to land directly in Rubkona airstrip, Bentiu, but had to be re-routed due to weather conditions. Upon arrival, the returnees received food from WFP and seeds and tools from FAO (distributed by UNHCR and Adventist Development and Relief Agency - ADRA). They were medically screened by GOAL and provided with mine risk education by RONCO. A joint UNHCR/ADRA team organised onward transport to their final destinations. The arrival of this group brings the total number of refugees repatriated thus far by air from Kakuma refugee camp to Upper Nile, Jonglei and Unity States to 1,139 since the first repatriation movement on 17 December The onset of the rainy season, which adversely affects all movement in Upper Nile State, brings phase I of the repatriation exercise to an end. UNHCR Malakal will work closely with UNHCR Kakuma to schedule the return of those whose final destinations are Malakal city or the suburb counties which are reachable on foot. Go and see visit from Kenya Refugee leaders from Kakuma refugee camp arrived in Malakal on 19 May on a three-day visit to assess the situation in their home areas. During their visit, they met senior government officials, staff from UNHCR, WFP, OCHA and implementing partners, community and family members, tribal leaders and church groups. The refugee leaders also participated in receiving returnees from Kakuma refugee camp at the airport and at the way station and in organising their onward transport to their places of origin. At the end of the visit, they expressed their appreciation to the humanitarian community for the efforts being made to facilitate their return and reintegration. Repatriation from Uganda The twelfth convoy since the beginning of the repatriation operation of refugees from Uganda on 2 May left Moyo for Kajo Keji (Central Equatoria) on 31 May with 160 individuals on board, bringing the total number of persons repatriated by UNHCR to 2,623. This last convoy marked the conclusion of phase I of the operation. The refugees were met at Kangai way station by senior Government of South Sudan officials, including the Governor of Central Equatoria State, State Ministers, Members of Parliament, the Commissioner of Police and the Commissioner of Kajo Keji County. The refugees continue to return home with a number of valuable assets, including, among other things, herds of goats and sheep, poultry and bicycles. This is the clearest manifestation that the Self Reliance Strategy (SRS), adopted by UNHCR and the Government of Uganda, has yielded some concrete livelihood benefits. It UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 4

5 implies that when most of these refugees return home, they will find it easier to reintegrate into their local communities and resume a normal life. Repatriation from the Central African Republic A total of 2,114 refugees have been flown home to Western Equatoria from Mboki by UNHCR s implementing partner IOM since the repatriation operation started on 2 February. Some 5,000 refugees were scheduled to be repatriated over a three-month period, but the operation was temporarily interrupted on 15 April when the border was closed by the authorities of the Central African Republic (CAR) after Chadian rebels had allegedly moved through Sudan to CAR. The operation had previously been suspended three times due to deteriorating security conditions. It is expected to resume shortly. Bor Dinka IDPs from Yei Following the first movement of about 2,400 Bor Dinka IDPs from Juba to Bor by IOM-chartered barges between February and May, a further relocation of approximately 7,000 Bor Dinka from Yei to Juba, and eventually by barge to Bor, is to take place shortly. Rising ethnic tensions and clashes in Yei have resulted in pressure to move the Bor Dinka IDPs out of Yei as soon as possible. Consequently, UNHCR has requested IOM to urgently look into their transportation to Juba. Following a recent mission to Yei, IOM is working on the details regarding security escorts for the movements. Once these security arrangements have been put in place, the operation can start. Presently, there are about 50 Bor Dinka IDPs who have moved spontaneously from Yei to Juba and are waiting in the Lologo temporary way station for transportation to Bor. Visit of the Royal Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation On 28 May, the Royal Netherlands Minister for Development Cooperation, Mrs. Agnes Van Ardenne, and personnel from the Ministry in The Hague, along with the Dutch Ambassador to Sudan, Adriaan Kooijimans, senior officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) of the UK, staff from the Joint Donor Office in Juba and journalists visited the Lologo temporary way station in Juba. UNHCR, in collaboration with other agencies, set up the way station on 30 November 2005 to provide humanitarian assistance to vulnerable Bor Dinka IDPs going back to Bor. In Lologo, UNHCR was responsible for providing protection and the construction of approximately 200 shelter units to accommodate the IDPs. At the end of the visit, the Minister expressed appreciation for the work being done by UNHCR and its partners in preparation for returning people to help build South Sudan. On 29 May, she opened the Joint Donor Team (JDT) office in Juba, which will be the exclusive channel for reconstruction aid from Denmark, the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden and the UK. Repatriation of Congolese refugees from Sudan The fourth repatriation flight to Kisangani, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), took place on 23 May carrying Congolese returnees from Juba along with Congolese returnees from Khartoum. The arrival of the flight in Kisangani was followed by a cross-border meeting attended by UNHCR staff from Juba and Khartoum as well as Aru and Kinshasa, IOM staff and a representative of the DRC government. The purpose of the meeting was to discuss the logistical and technical aspects of the operation, coordinate activities and plan the flight schedules for the other destinations in the DRC including Mbandaka, Buta, Isiro and Aru. The logistical challenges in the DRC are significant due to the lack of infrastructure and the fact that UNHCR does not have offices in many of the return locations. The fifth and sixth repatriation flights took off for Mbandaka on 25 and 28 May respectively. A total of 55 individuals were returned to Mbandaka bringing the total number of repatriated Congolese refugees from Sudan to the DRC to 337 since the start of the operation on 9 May. The last flight is scheduled to depart on 15 June. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 5

6 Ethiopian Anuak asylum seekers In the reporting period, ten Ethiopian Anuak asylum seekers were screened and registered in Malakal; another four await screening while two new arrivals approached UNHCR for registration. The Ethiopian Anuak asylum seekers in Malakal thus increased to 104 cases or 128 individuals. Food was distributed to them last week. UNHCR also organised a meeting to introduce them to the elders of the Sudanese Anuak community in Malakal. In Upper Nile State, Ethiopian Anuak asylum seekers have been seeking refuge mostly in Pochalla since mid-december 2003, following an operation of the Ethiopian army against Anuak rebels, sparked by the killing of eight UN and Ethiopian Government workers on 13 December According to local authorities, between 10,000 and 12,000 persons arrived in Pochalla town and were provided sanctuary. However, due to the close proximity of Pochalla town to the Ethiopian border and the incursion by the Ethiopian army into South Sudan in April 2004, allegedly in pursuit of Anuak rebels, some began to move to Pibor town (Jonglei State). The vast majority opted for relocation to the Alari village area, some eight kilometres from Pochalla town and the border with Ethiopia. Another group, consisting primarily of young men, moved to Juba town due to the protracted difficult living conditions in Pibor, where the County Commissioner provided them with a piece of land at Lologo. A small number of Ethiopian Anuak asylum seekers arrived in Malakal between 2005 and Following a number of assessment missions, UNHCR recognises these asylum seekers as prima facie refuges in need of international protection. Influx of Ethiopian refugees in Pagak On 9 May, UNHCR, OCHA and the UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) undertook a mission to Pagak (Upper Nile State) to assess the needs of refugees from Ethiopia who crossed into Pagak in recent weeks to reportedly flee attacks by an armed group of Murles and Nuer Lou who crossed from South Sudan to rustle cattle. The refugees are residing along the river bordering Ethiopia and South Sudan over a stretch of 40 kilometres. Local authorities and the SRRC estimate a population of 2,300 families and more refugees are reported to be coming. Due to looming rains, the assessment team was only able to meet with a group of refugees that assembled near the airstrip. The refugees said that they lacked water, food, shelter, domestic items, blankets and mosquito nets, but that they did not have problems with the host population. The authorities have received and assisted them and are willing to continue to do so but their capacity is limited. Meanwhile, UNHCR has contributed some relief items, including 35 plastic sheets, 100 mosquito nets, 100 buckets and 200 bars of soap. Stranded IDP returnees in Malakal For the second time in the month of May, a barge carrying over 600 IDPs got stranded in Malakal, reportedly due to a mechanical problem. The final destination of most of these IDPs is Juba. The IDPs, who arrived in Malakal on 23 May, ran out of food and experienced a number of waterborne diseases. IDP leaders approached UNHCR, which in turn mobilized, through inter-agency participation, distribution of food (provided by WFP, distributed by ADRA), non-food items (provided by UNICEF, distributed by ADRA), provision of health services (by GOAL and MSF-Holland) and other activities. UNMIS RRR and the SRRC Director played a lead role in the resource mobilization process. Government-organised IDP returns As part of the planning for Government-assisted returns, the SRRC Lakes submitted to the Returns Working Group Rumbek a list of reception points that have been identified as drop-off points by the Lakes State authorities. After further discussion of these reception points between the SRRC and the Returns Working Group, it was agreed by the SRRC that they would in no way be considered as way stations where distribution is to be carried out. Rather the idea was put forward by UNHCR to create reception committees in all of these areas, composed of local authorities, village chiefs, elders, representatives of youth and women s groups, who would receive the returnees (for those movements known in advance) and provide them with information about changes in community structures and leadership during their absence as well as advise them on issues such as access to land, water, health, education, etc. In the last week, inter-agency missions UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 6

7 were carried out to six of these identified reception sites in different areas of Lakes State. The communities expressed enthusiasm about receiving the returnees and eagerness in forming the reception committees. The idea of targeting certain committees for training and capacity-building activities for returnee monitoring was also discussed. An additional two missions are planned for the coming weeks, bringing to 16 the number of reception sites visited and reception committees created. Training of IDP leaders in Khartoum From 15 to 18 May, UNHCR Khartoum, in coordination with Save the Children-UK, conducted two protection workshops for 65 IDP leaders. The objective was to provide them with legal and protection information, so that they can disseminate this knowledge to the wider IDP community in Khartoum and South Sudan and take a role in protecting IDPs in the return process. The theme of the workshops was Child Protection in the Context of Return with a focus on the role of IDP leaders in protecting children during and after return. Training of police In Lakes State, UNHCR, Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) and Women for Women International requested UN CivPol to expand their training plan for police officers in Akot, Wulu and Cueibet to include modules on refugee and IDP rights, women s rights and sexual and gender-based violence. UN CivPol is currently elaborating their training plan for the remainder of the year, which UNHCR has agreed to support financially. In Jonglei State, UNHCR, UNDP and UN CivPol jointly organised a six-day inter-agency training programme targeting members of the local police in Bor. The programme looked at the human rights obligations of police officers in relation to the rights of refugees, IDPs, women and children. UNHCR conducted a training session on 23 May on police and women s rights and another on 26 May on police and IDPs rights. HIV/AIDS workshops The first of a series of training workshops on HIV/AIDS was held in Juba on May. Twenty-seven UNHCR and implementing partner staff attended. The workshop was facilitated by UNHCR, UNICEF and UNDP. The main objective was to build the capacity of staff who will be dealing directly with local authorities in the main returnee areas. Reports indicate that prejudice, discriminatory practices and ignorance about the status of HIV-positive returnees may negatively affect their eventual reintegration into the communities. Access to education for displaced people The UNHCR Education Officer for South Sudan, based in Juba, attended an African Union (AU) meeting with partners on the Draft Policy on Access to Post-Primary Education for Victims of Forced Displacement in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia) on 7 May. The AU Executive Council requested the Commission to formulate a policy that will facilitate access of refugees and displaced persons to education, including at the post-primary level. According to the AU Head of Humanitarian Affairs, Refugees and Displaced Persons at the Department of Political Affairs, education is a humanitarian response and the lack of a coordinated approach across the African continent has resulted in only three per cent access of adolescents to post-primary education. Partners mentioned UNHCR s experience with various training strategies, including peace education in refugee camps. UNHCR shared its appreciation of the partnership shown by AU with respect to the latter s contribution of US$ 100,000 towards the construction of a girls secondary school in South Sudan. Update on funding situation as at 17 May 2006 Requirements for South Sudan/countries of asylum: US$ 63,203, Contributions: US$ 25,282,204* *Of this amount, US$ 8,629,773 represents an allocation from the UN Common Humanitarian Fund. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 7

8 EAST SUDAN Security The security situation in east Sudan remained stable during the reporting period. The latest visit by Sudanese Vice President Taha to Eritrea is expected to improve bilateral relations with Asmara. The visit has already yielded proposed talks with the Eastern Front to be hosted and brokered by Eritrea. New arrivals In the reporting period, 144 Eritreans asked for asylum in Wad Sharifey, including eight unaccompanied minors and 11 persons who were detained in Khartoum by the Immigration Office for travelling through Sudan without valid documents. In the same period, 135 persons were recognised as refugees, one case was accepted on appeal and one asylum claim was rejected. Another case is pending a decision. In total, 480 Eritreans have been granted refugee status during the month of May. Relocation to Um Gargour Among the new arrivals in Kilo 26 camp, eight families and four individuals who received official letters from the Commissioner for Refugees (COR) Girba approving their relocation to Um Gargour for the purpose of family reunification have been moving to Um Gargour. However, the majority do not have relatives or families in Sudan and are used to living in closed camps such as Samsam, Hawata or Abu-Rakham which were consolidated to Um Gargour. All of them claim that they are in need of shelters. Nine Ethiopian refugee families were relocated from Abu-Rakham closed camp to Um Gargour, according to their own request due to lack of assistance in Abu-Rakham. In Um Gargour, they will be provided with a full food ration for a period of six months and will also have access to all other assistance, i.e. water, health care and education. Relocation from Khartoum The arrival of 86 refugees in Kilo 26 camp and 11 asylum seekers in Kassala from Khartoum on 17 May was confirmed to UNHCR by COR Kassala and Girba. These individuals had been arrested during an attempt to illegally cross into Libya and had served two months in prison in accordance with the court s decision. After expiration of the punishment, as an alternative to deportation, the Sudanese Alien Department of Khartoum, in consultation with UNHCR, decided to transfer them to east Sudan. UNHCR s recommendation that the transfer should be carried out only on a voluntary basis was accepted and followed. Shortly after arrival of these refugees in Kilo 26, eight refugees left the camp back for Khartoum on their own and, as a result, were detained at Soba check point. Deportation Recently, an increasing number of refugees and asylum seekers have been detained, taken to court, sentenced and deported. A Congolese and four Somali asylum seekers were referred by Gedaref Immigration Office to COR Es Showak on 20 May for determination of their status. According to COR, all five were assisted by COR with transportation to Wad Sharifey to undergo the refugee status determination procedure. However, they all ended up in detention and the court of Kassala issued a deportation order for each of them. UNHCR and COR are following up with the relevant authorities to prevent deportation and grant access to the asylum procedure. Two Eritrean refugees and one Somali asylum seeker were deported on 24 May to Eritrea and Ethiopia respectively. According to the authorities, the Eritreans were detained and deported for illegal presence in Kassala and for lack of valid refugee IDs, while the Somali was detained and deported because of illegal entry in Sudan. An appeal against the deportation decision has been lodged with the court in Kassala. Similarly, two Ethiopian asylum seekers were deported on 28 May following the court s decision to deport UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 8

9 both allegedly for illegal entry into Sudan. UNHCR s efforts to prevent the deportation through lodging an appeal with the court and negotiating with the authorities were to no avail. The deportees were not allowed to access the asylum procedure and were kept in detention from 21 May until deportation. A decision was taken by the Kassala court to deport one Kenyan asylum seeker for illegal border crossing into Sudan. He has been in custody since 21 May awaiting deportation. An appeal has been lodged through a hired lawyer. UNHCR and COR are jointly taking action to prevent deportation and ensure his access to the asylum procedure. Workshop on 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees UNHCR is organising a senior level workshop for local authorities of the institutions related to population movements in Kassala State (National Security, immigration, police, courts, COR, etc.) to explain Sudan s obligations under the 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees as well as developing a coordination mechanism among these institutions for the protection of refugees and asylum seekers. Resettlement A group of refugees comprising eight families or 39 individuals from Um Gargour camp were accepted by the Canadian Government for resettlement. The families are currently securing all documents necessary for their resettlement. Water situation At the water intake point for Shagarab camp (22,000 refugees), one engine is in operation and one has been stopped due to lack of spare parts, causing low water production. At Wad Sharifey (33,000 refugees), two engines at two boreholes are in operation but one of them requires overhaul and the standby of the other has been stopped due to lack of spare parts. Sanitation inspection Following an inspection of the sanitary situation at Um Gargour camp, the main problems identified were scattered garbage/excrements due to lack of latrines, lack of containers for disposal and poor hygiene awareness among the refugees. Most of these problems cannot be addressed at this stage as the operation is experiencing funding constraints. Education activities On average, only eight teachers are allocated to a basic school in refugee camps whereas 14 teachers are allocated to a government school. In addition, government teachers salaries are twice more than those of UNHCR/COR basic school teachers. Several camp elders and parents committees complained to UNHCR that due to the lack of teachers and their low salaries, the performance of students is very poor. For example, in Um Gargour and Fat-el-Rahman, over 50 percent of students in eighth grade failed the final exam. Application forms for school income generation activities were circulated to 25 basic schools in the 12 refugee camps for the teachers, students and parents committees as well as camp elders to come up with proposals. Proposed activities by the schools will be incorporated in a proposal for submission to donors. However, due to the current poor situation in the schools, the teachers and parents committees in some of the schools are discouraged to initiate the discussion on school income generation activities. COR Girba has closed three basic schools on 21 May due to shortage of funds for education and lack of classroom supplies. Update on funding situation as at 17 May 2006 Requirements for East Sudan/Khartoum: US$ 13,045, Contributions: US$ 4,232,913* *Of this amount, US$ 700,000 represents an allocation from the UN Common Humanitarian Fund. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 9

10 DARFUR Security The UN Country Team (UNCT) recommended that El Geneina and surrounding areas should revert to security phase III. Uncertainty arising after the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement (DPA) continued to cause some unrest in IDP camps although violent incidents directly related to the DPA did not occur in West Darfur. Most IDPs in the major camps of West Darfur are Massalit and are not aligned to the two major Sudan Liberation Movement/Army (SLM/A) factions. Unrest occurs because IDP community leaders are identifying more with Abdul Wahid (leader of the largest SLM/A faction) and some feel their concerns are unmet by the DPA. IDPs are anxious to understand how effective disarmament, individual compensation and rehabilitation of villages will take place under the DPA. WEST DARFUR Relocation of Chadian refugees to Um Shalaya In December 2005, Chadians started to arrive in border towns in Darfur, seeking refuge from increasing insecurity in Chad. In Habila, the influx started in March of this year. By early May, there were more than 6,000 refugees known to UNHCR in Habila and its environs. A combination of factors, including weak coping mechanisms of the host community, historical ethnic tensions among newly arriving tribes, the insecurity of the border area as well as a demand from the local authorities to relocate refugees to a designated camp, led UNHCR to conclude that relocation of this caseload was necessary. UNHCR set up a refugee camp in Um Shalaya, 25 kilometres north-east of Mornei and, from 11 to 28 May, in partnership with IOM and with the support of COR, Save the Children-US and the AU troops stationed in Mornei, conducted the voluntary relocation of 3,050 Chadian refugees to Um Shalaya through eight movements. These refugees are almost exclusively of Daju descent. There are still approximately 3,000 Chadian refugees present in the Habila locality. They are near Gobbe (about 1,200 Noheba Arabs), in Tandousa (about 1,200 Daju) and in the Dar el Salam area of Habila town (approximately 600 Burgo). It is UNHCR s observation that they have been integrated into the host communities. While it is believed that the majority of the people that wanted to move to Um Shalaya have already done so, it is possible that additional refugees will continue to arrive in Habila and ask to be relocated to Um Shalaya, especially for family reunification purposes. All traditional leaders, local authorities and international agencies in Habila have been informed that all new arrivals should be directed to UNHCR. As necessary, UNHCR will provide small scale ad hoc transportation (one-two trucks) from Habila to Um Shalaya until the beginning of the rainy season during which the roads to Mornei become impassable. During the reporting period, UNHCR also visited the Chadian refugees in Gelu to discuss whether they wish to move to Um Shalaya. Most indicated that they do not wish to move from the area and do not have security or protection concerns. Visit of the Special Representative of the Secretary-General to West Darfur On 17 May, the Special Representative of the Secretary-General Jan Pronk travelled to West Darfur for a three-day visit, during which he met with UN, NGO and government officials to discuss a wide range of matters effecting the humanitarian community and IDPs. In Mornei, he met with UNHCR during a UN/NGO meeting and was briefed on the status of the refugee camp in Um Shalaya and the relocation of Chadian UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 10

11 refugees. He also met with a group of the IDP Sheikhs and visited a UNHCR/Save the Children-US women s centre. The IDPs and the women at the centre complained about water shortages and food ration cuts. He also visited the food distribution centre where the atmosphere became very tense, bordering on rioting. He promised that the ration would be increased and that more food was already on the way, both from Government stocks and international donors. IDP camps near El Geneina The Sheikhs in Riyadh and Krinding 1 and 2 camps have been expressing dissatisfaction regarding the effectiveness of the AU CivPol in the camps. At a camp coordination meeting in Riyadh, Sheikhs refused to meet with the AU CivPol, while in Krinding, Sheikhs boycotted a camp security meeting attended by the AU CivPol. In both incidents, the Sheikhs from these camps stated that the AU CivPol was not helping to protect IDPs. The AU CivPol is currently not carrying out night patrols in any IDP camp in West Darfur following attacks on staff and offices in West and South Darfur. In Riyadh and Krinding camps, UNHCR has been looking into these expressions of discontent towards the AU CivPol. Conversations with IDP community leaders in both camps have highlighted the following issues: IDP community leaders question the effectiveness of the AU CivPol in the El Geneina IDP camps as they believe that security for IDPs inside and outside the camps of El Geneina has been non-existent since September This has been reinforced by the fact that all night patrols have been temporarily suspended as the organisation reviews its policy on night patrols. Since their deployment, the AU CivPol has had to endure a critical communication gap between themselves and the IDPs. Between September 2005 and March 2006, there were only three AU interpreters for some 50 AU CivPol officers in El Geneina. Operationally, this has resulted in the inability of the AU CivPol officers to communicate to the IDPs (disseminate the AU CivPol mandate) and the inability of the IDPs to communicate to the AU CivPol (reporting crimes and other incidents that have or have not been referred to the police) as well as the inability of the AU CivPol to effectively monitor cases/complaints reported to the police in the camps. The lack of communication by the AU CivPol at the start of their deployment regarding their role, responsibilities and overall mandate has led to false expectations from IDPs who wrongly perceive the AU CivPol as an alternative police force. A major reason cited by the IDP community leaders for the lack of confidence in the AU CivPol has been their perceived inability to protect IDP women and girls collecting firewood and grass outside of the camps. The AU CivPol stated that they are not willing to carry out patrols of firewood collection sites with only armed government police and are only prepared to carry out patrols with the AU Force Protection escort. However, the AU Regional Commander in El Geneina stated that the AU Force Protection in El Geneina does not have enough vehicles to dedicate to regularly escort the AU CivPol firewood patrols. Not surprisingly, with a lack of effective patrolling outside of the El Geneina camps, reported attacks on female IDPs are continuing on a disturbingly frequent basis. Negative views of the AU CivPol have been held for sometime. The signing of the DPA and what is perceived by many IDPs as the imminent arrival of a UN peacekeeping force has allegedly given the IDPs the confidence to express these attitudes. The alcohol patrols conducted by the government police in Riyadh camp have been suspended. The Government stated that since the signing of the DPA the atmosphere in the camps is tense and prefers to wait until it is calmer before resuming the patrols. It has been noted that there appears to be an increase in alcohol production since the suspension of the patrols. New locality in West Darfur On his visit to Habila locality, the Wali announced that from 20 May, Beida has become a separate locality, independent from Habila, and a new Commissioner is in the process of being appointed. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 11

12 SOUTH DARFUR AU pull-out from the camps The AU pulled out from the camps in South Darfur as there was burning of AU stations and looting. This raised fears that serious attacks against IDPs in the camps could occur. The Sheikhs, the UN and the Government have requested the AU to resume its role in the camps, but the AU has demanded that the following three conditions be met before they resume their activities: 1) the IDPs that committed the crimes to be brought to justice; 2) looted materials to be restored; and 3) the IDPs/Sheikhs to give guarantees that the same incidents will not occur again. Update on funding situation as at 17 May 2006 Revised* requirements for Darfur: US$ 18,536, Contributions: US$ 11,547,421** *The revised Supplementary Appeal for 2006 launched on 8 March represents a 44% reduction in the initial programme budget. **Of this amount, US$ 2,025,000 represents an allocation from the UN Common Humanitarian Fund. UNHCR Sudan Operations Update 58 4 June 2006 page 12