Sudan: Eritrean Refugees

Transcription

1 Sudan: Eritrean Refugees Appeal number: 12/2000 (revised) 22 June, 2000 THIS REVISED APPEAL SEEKS CHF 1,651,827 IN CASH, KIND AND SERVICES TO ASSIST UP TO 100,000 BENEFICIARIES FOR 4 MONTHS Summary This is a revision of the Emergency Appeal launched on 22 May, 2000 which sought CHF 1,310,393. This has been revised to CHF 2,294,270. Pledges received to date total CHF 642,443, with CHF 1,651,827 still outstanding. The influx of Eritrean refugees into areas around Kassala, eastern Sudan, has now reached 85,000 persons since it began a month ago. This fresh influx of people fleeing the war between Eritrea and Ethiopia is currently accommodated in four camps located in hot, arid areas in which water and other natural resources (e.g. firewood) are extremely scarce. While the refugees have generally been arriving in good condition, many with their personal possessions, the imminent onset of the rainy season gives cause for concern that current shelter, water, sanitation and health conditions in the camps is likely to deteriorate in the coming months. Moreover, it is not at this stage known whether, or when, people will be able to return to their homes, in spite of the recent cease-fire agreement. It looks increasingly likely that the refugees will remain in Sudan for the period of the rains at least. In support of the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS), the Federation launched a preliminary appeal for CHF 1,310,393 on May 22nd to cover immediate relief needs in health, complementary food and non food items for 80,000 people for two months. This revision seeks to extend support for a further two months in providing 100,000 beneficiaries with adequate shelter and medical care over the rainy season. The Disaster Hostilities between Ethiopia and Eritrea over disputed border areas have now continued for over a month since the outbreak on May 12. The extension of the conflict zone throughout south western Eritrea has led to fresh influxes of refugees into areas around the Sudanese-Eritrean border in

2 Page 2 of 5 Kassala state, eastern Sudan where some 85,000 people are now living in four camps. Many people arrive on foot after journeys lasting several days into an area which is extremely arid and has few natural resources to support the extra population. The area also contains already existing settlements of long-term Eritrean refugees and Sudanese displaced by instability on the border and flooding. There are currently four camps housing the new influx; Gulsa, Laffa, Gergaf and Shagarab. Due to logistical difficulties in reaching Gergaf (the most remote camp) as well as the general insecurity of this area, the refugees there are currently being transferred to Shagarab. There has been one land-mine incident so far. Although many people have managed to bring personal possessions, farming equipment and herds of animals with them, there is an urgent need to provide adequate shelter in time for the onset of the rainy season and improve water supply. Moreover, while the health situation of the camps population is reasonably stable, an increasing incidence of URTI, malaria and diahorreal diseases has been noted and can only be expected to get worse during the coming months.the true incidence of malnutrition is not yet known, but a survey is expected to take place over the coming days which will determine the need for supplementary feeding. Access to water varies between the camps and is generally better at Shagarab than the other camps, but improvements in the supply of water at the well head, transportation and distribution systems within the camps is urgently needed. Of particular concern, in view of the approaching rains, is the need to install adequate sanitation facilities in all camps. So far little progress has been made in the digging of trench latrines and vector control within the camps is generally considered to be insufficient. The Response so far Government Action w Following the influx the state authorities in Kassala mobilised strategic food stocks for distribution by agencies including SRCS. Access restrictions for international organisations were also lifted. State institutions such as the Commission of Refugees (CoR) and Federal line ministries are also actively involved in co-ordination of the relief operation and service provision within the camps. Red Cross/Red Crescent Action w Federation Following an assessment of the situation by the SRCS Secretary General and the Federation s Head of Delegation on May 19, CHF 150,000 from Federation s Disaster Relief Emergency Fund (DREF) was released to initiate the local purchase of drugs and other medical consumables as well as charcoal for immediate distribution in the camps. ICRC ICRC responded immediately to the influx by providing two water tankers, four water bladders, tap stands, piping and pumps for the water distribution system in Gulsa camp. Additionally it provided SRCS with significant quantities of tarpaulins, buckets, soap and water purification tablets for distribution. Sudanese Red Crescent Society SRCS Kassala immediately assisted the state authorities with the reception and registration of the newly-arriving refugees. The SRCS Headquarters in Khartoum mobilised 250 tents and 2,000 jerrycans from existing stocks in Khartoum which were delivered to the branch for distribution. Additionally, foodstuffs donated locally by the state authorities and population of Kassala is also being distributed. The branch now operates two clinics in Gulsa and Laffa which are supplied by UNICEF. To date some 11,000 patients have been seen and nearly 29,000 meningitis vaccinations have been carried out. The SRCS provided two bladder tanks and one water tanker, operating from the nearby Wad

3 Page 3 of 5 Sherefei refugee camp. In addition, the SRCS is operating a second water tanker which was brought out of Eritrea by the refugees. SRCS Kassala has mobilised some 400 experienced volunteers to work in the camps where they are involved in a variety of activities, including the two clinics, identification of beneficiaries, and distribution of relief items in conjunction with other agencies. An important aspect of the volunteer s work is the dissemination of public hygiene messages to the camp population. Other Agencies Action w A number of INGOs and UN agencies are now involved in the camps. UNHCR has been providing shelter, non food and medicines through the CoR. WFP is distributing a partial basket of food items on a 15 day basis, using SRCS volunteers for the distribution. From July, WFP hopes to provide a full food basket. Shelter materials are being distributed by GOAL and IRC. A number of agencies, apart from the ICRC and SRCS, have provided water tankers, including UNHCR, CoR, and IARA. In addition Oxfam has erected two 45 cubic meter water storage containers and plans to erect four more as well as to improve the delivery capacity at the well sites. IRC has been digging trench latrines and has begun the production of concrete latrine slabs in addition to the 100 plastic slabs it has dispatched to the camps. In terms of health, the SRCS clinic in Laffa was constructed by MSF (Holland) who also supplied some equipment and drugs. Human Appeal International, Global Health Foundation and the Al Birr Foundation are operating clinics and feeding centres in Gergaf and Shagarab. Additionally, a number of foreign Embassies, including those of Kuwait, Libya and Iran, have sent missions to assess the situation in the camps with the intention of providing assistance. Co-ordination w Overall co-ordination of the operation rests with UNHCR and CoR. Weekly meetings are held at the Kassala and Khartoum levels. There are also biweekly co-ordination meetings in the sectors of food and nutrition, health, shelter and water and sanitation held under the auspices of the relevant line ministries in Kassala. The day to day co-ordination of Red Cross/Crescent activity between the Federation and SRCS takes place both at the Branch and Headquarters levels. The Intended Operation Assessment of Needs Continuous assessments of the conditions for refugees in the camps is being made by SRCS staff and volunteers and the Federation relief delegate in Kassala. Information gathered is cross referenced with that collected by other operational agencies in order to verify accuracy. A month after the first refugees arrived, the situation can generally be characterised as stable. However in certain sectors, especially shelter and water/sanitation, the current provision of assistance is inadequate, and unless remedial action is urgently taken the health status of refugees is likely to deteriorate during the rains. Immediate Needs The primary need is to provide adequate shelter, water and health facilities for refugees staying in Sudan during the rainy season (July-September.) Following an assessment of outstanding needs and the interventions proposed by other agencies, the Federation and SRCS have identified the following needs to be covered during this period. Water: Continuation of the water tankering operation in Laffa and Gulsa. Provision of jerrycans. Shelter: Provision of tents and the erection of suitable shelters utilising locally available materials (wooden poles, bamboo and matting) incorporating plastic sheeting or tarpaulins for roofing.

4 Page 4 of 5 Mosquito netting: family sized nets to be purchased locally where possible. Essential drugs and medical equipment: (to be purchased locally). Staff/volunteers and transportation: including evacuations to referral hospitals in Wad Sherife and Kassala. Anticipated Later Needs The medium to long term future for these refugees is obviously dependent on a permanent cessation of hostilities and the creation of stable conditions that will allow them to return home and begin to rebuild their lives. The current proposals for shelter provision are designed with this in mind as the materials provided will be able to be transported back into Eritrea. Should the refugees have to remain in Sudan for a period longer than three months, consideration will have to be given to the creation of more permanent settlements and infrastructure. Objectives The Red Cross and Red Crescent aim to continue emergency assistance to the populations with immediate water distribution, health services and distributions of emergency supplies (principally non food) as available. Once the emergency relief stage has passed and infrastructure in the camps (shelter and water supply) has improved, it is likely that the SRCS will concentrate it s resources on the health sector. National Society/Federation Plan of Action Emergency Phase: May-June 2000 Activities in this period concentrated on the provision of assistance to incoming refugees in terms of emergency food and non food, water supply, health services and co-operation with other humanitarian actors in the distribution of relief items. Phase Two: July-September With the increasing likelihood that refugees will remain over the rainy season, even if there is a stable political settlement to the conflict, there is a pressing need to improve shelter and water supply to the camps. A rise in the incidence of malaria and diahorreal diseases can also be expected during this period. Planning is therefore to undertake the provision and construction of suitable shelters and the consolidation of medical services. Capacity of the National Society The Sudanese Red Crescent has wide experience in emergency interventions at all levels and the local Branch at Kassala is particularly well prepared. Through it s ongoing involvement with the long-term refugees in the Kassala area the branch has a particularly good understanding of relief needs for the Eritreans. The SRCS s Kassala branch also has a well developed logistical infrastructure, including storage capacity which is also utilised by other agencies. To date some 400 highly trained and experienced volunteers are participating in the operations. The branch has also involved representatives from the refugee community in beneficiary selection and clinic staffing. The Branch has a good communication system with Khartoum, but needs improved VHF communication. Reinforcement of the branch s light 4x4 transport capacity will also be needed for the rainy season. Present Capacity of the Federation in Sudan The Federation Delegation is small and operates in support of the SRCS, with three delegates (a Head of Delegation, and a Finance/Adminstration as well as a Health delegate). In addition, a relief delegate has been seconded to the operation and works closely with SRCS Kassala in an advisory and support capacity. Evaluation

5 Page 5 of 5 As numbers change or the situation becomes clearer, ongoing evaluations of needs and responses will be undertaken. Budget summary See Annex 1 for budget summary. Conclusion Initial hopes that the current influx of Eritrean refugees into eastern Sudan would be short term look, unfortunately, optimistic. It is now believed that, even with a political settlement to the Ethiopian-Eritrean conflict, the imminent onset of the rains will prevent many refugees from returning to their home areas. There is an urgent need to winterise the shelter in existing camps and ensure adequate medical services are provided. SRCS volunteers continue to be at the forefront of service provision in the camps, and the Kassala branch remains a central focus for other agencies providing assistance to the refugees. This revised appeal aims to continue the generous support already provided to the SRCS in key sectors in ensuring that the humanitarian status of the refugees does not deteriorate during the next three months. Jean Ayoub Acting Under Secretary General, Disaster Response & Operations Coordination Didier J. Cherpitel Secretary General This and other reports on Federation operations are available on the Federation s website: