SUDAN SITUATION UPDATE

Transcription

1 UNHCR/M.Ilyas SUDAN SITUATION UPDATE July 2007

2 SOUTH SUDAN AND BLUE NILE Political developments On 29 June, the Ugandan rebel group the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) and the Ugandan government signed a pact on accountability and reconciliation. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Dr. Riek Machar, South Sudan s Vice President and the Chief mediator of the peace talks. The pact recommends alternative traditional justice, shields the four top LRA commanders from prosecution by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes and crimes against humanity. The parties committed themselves to honouring the suffering victims by promoting lasting peace and justice, preventing impunity and promoting redress in accordance with the constitution and international obligations, especially the requirements of the Rome Statute which set up the ICC. Reparation would include rehabilitation, restitution, compensation, guarantees of non-recurrence and other symbolic measures such as apologies, memorials and commemorations. Repatriation operations REPATRIATION SUMMARY Organized 57,621 Self-assisted 8,694 Spontaneous 90,516 TOTAL 156,831 Country Organized and self-assisted repatriation trends 2007 GRAND of Asylum Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Total TOTAL CAR 4,547 1,868 1,337 1, ,195 9,742 DRC 6, ,909 8,328 Uganda 5, ,252 2,856 2,662 1, ,511 16,377 Kenya 2, ,440 5,759 Ethiopia 5,937 1, ,689 8, ,295 24,232 Eritrea Egypt ,672 Others Sub-total 26,023 4,023 2,913 13,204 13,048 4,586 1, ,292 66,315 IOM IDP returns operations to South Sudan* Summary by Mean of Transport Number of IDP Families Females Males Number of IDP Persons Road operations 5,620 10,822 10,404 21,226 River operations Air operations Total 5,953 11,303 10,931 22,234 * Information provided courtesy of IOM 2

3 Uganda The repatriation by road from Uganda continued with 509 returns (198 families) to Yei (Central Equatoria). Returnees received the standard three-month food ration and non-food items. Sanitary kits were given to female returnees and delivery kits to pregnant women. Children were vaccinated against measles. The returnees also received mine risk awareness education from MAG and homebased care and HIV/AIDS awareness from American Refugee Committee (ARC). UNHCR has also undertaken a series of follow-up home visits to assess the well-being of documented returnees with special needs who arrived in previous convoys. Follow-up interventions, such as provision of tents, have been made and cases with land and property rights disputes have been referred to the South Sudan Law Society. Between 2 and 13 July, UNHCR received two groups of self assisted returnees at UNHCR/Norwegian Church Aid (NCA) reception centre, Nimule. The groups were composed of 138 individuals (60 families) from Kiryandongo and Kyangwali refugees' settlements in Hoima (Uganda). The returnees were warmly received by the local authorities as well as inter agency team, UNHCR, SSRRC, Payam Administration, the SPLA Garrison commander and local chiefs. Arrival of first self- assisted convoy from Uganda to Nimule. UNHCR/S. Ali UNHCR verified all the families, MERLIN provided medical assistance and personnel for over night stay at the NCA reception centre, while South Sudan HIV/AIDS commission provided sensitization to the new arrival. Later on, the returnees were dispersed to their final destinations by Aktion Afrika Hilfe (AAH). Egypt UNHCR Cairo continues to be approached by Sudanese refugees for voluntary repatriation with a minor decline in the numbers due to the recent floods in the greater Khartoum. A number of vulnerable cases have approached the office wishing to repatriate (unaccompanied minors, elderly and physically handicapped persons) for whom the arrangements for return have prolonged procedures. A further 198 individuals signed voluntary repatriation forms and are being processed for return within the coming weeks, pending the completion of exit formalities. Kenya The repatriation from Kakuma camp to Eastern Equatoria State continued. On 27 June and 11 July, UNHCR received two convoys composed of 102 returnees in Nadapal. UNHCR organises, onward transport to their places of origin after they receive a three and a half month food ration, agricultural tools, health screening and mine awareness training. 3

4 IDP returnees On 6 July, UNHCR together with ATLAS received the first organized IOM barge of 299 IDPs from North (Khartoum) in Bor, Jonglei State. UNHCR, UNMIS RRR, WFP, Security Advisor to the Governor and the host community welcomed the returnees back in their homes Jonglei State after 21 years of exile. Upon arrival, the returnees were registered by the ATLAS and UNHCR staff in the way station. UNHCR/ATLAS provided meals for the returnees at the way station, where the returnees had transit stay for five days before their dispersal to the final payams of destination. The case load for Baidit Payam was transported on 9 July, while the rest 222 IDPs destined for Makuach, Kolyang and Twic East Counties were handed over to SSCCR to stay in Bor town due to seasonal rains and impassable road conditions. IDPs barge in Bor.UNHCR/S.Imtiaz Overview of activities Blue Nile State Workshop on reintegration of returnees UNHCR in collaboration with HAC/SSRRC and the Ministry of Finance/Department of Planning organized a two day workshop on re-integration of returnees in Damazin, Blue Nile from 2-3 July to undertake a comprehensive evaluation of the living conditions, and identify gaps in basic services and propose solutions in main areas of return. Participants were drawn from ministries and local government, UN agencies and NGOs. Joint assessment A joint UNHCR/WFP assessment mission was carried out in the villages of Diglok, Gambarda, Afakao and Bulang in Blue Nile to a 241 families. In Diglok IDP returnees (96 families) originally from Keren Keren, complained to have no access to land. During the war they fled to Diglok and stayed there for several years. They returned to Keren Keren in April, but the local community refused to allocate farm land to them. The discussions for allocation of land are ongoing at the local level. Upper Nile State UNHCR conducted three returnee monitoring exercises in Malakal County. The main issues raised by returnees are: food shortage; lack of clean drinking water; lack of jobs and income generating activities; education (lack of schools); high educational/health fees and issues related to the return or allocation of the land and property. 4

5 Central Equatoria State Returnee monitoring in Kajo Keji UNHCR carried out returnee monitoring in Ngepo Payam, Kajo Keji. Two returnee families were found to have temporary shelters with tree branches and leaves for roofing. UNHCR provided tents to the two families for protection from rains. Meanwhile, 260 households with 931 individuals received 438 plastic sheets; and 39 households with 179 individuals received 127 bags (6,350 kgs) of cereals. Visit of Limi IDP camp UNHCR collected the IDP population figures from SSRRC of the four other IDP camps in Kajo Keji, Central Equatoria. Bamuri 7,834 individuals (2201 families); Mondikolok 452 individuals (127 families); Mangalotore 4,694 individuals (1,003 families); Kerwa 2,055 individuals (342 families) and Limi 533 individuals (118 families). Their places of origin are Upper Nile, Bahr el Ghazal, Eastern Equatoria and Central Equatoria States. UNHCR made an assessment visit to Limi IDP camp in Kajo Keji. The camp was established in 2001 with a population of over 3,000, mainly people from southern Bari, Lulubo, Madi and Kuku. The IDP camp administrator disclosed that most of the IDPs have voluntarily moved back to their areas of origin. The remaining are engaged in subsistence farming of groundnuts, cassava and other crops while others carrying some casual labour works like water in Wudu Township, and braking and selling rocks for building construction, which is highly in demand at the moment. The camp has one primary school with 290 pupils and thatch roof primary health unit serving the community. Jonglei State Limi IDP camp in Kajo Keji. UNHCR/M.Ilyas Protection Working Group meeting UNHCR Bor held Protection Working Group meeting on 13 July. The participants included were UN agencies, RCO, INTERSOS, UNMIS RRR, Civil Police and a representative from Ministry of Social Welfare and Gender. They discussed food security, water and sanitations, education and gender. SGBV workshop UNHCR conducted a Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) awareness and basic psycho-social counselling skills workshop for 18 women leaders from the Yei Women Association, seven churches of different denominations, and the Muslim Women Association. The women expressed appreciation indicating that this was their first time attending an inter-denominational workshop and requested follow-up workshops. Post workshop activities were planned and UNHCR will provide support to the women to implement these activities. 5

6 Village assessment On 26 June, returnee monitoring and village assessment activities were jointly carried out by UNHCR and INTERSOS in Bor. The priority issues identified are lack of access to potable water, education, health care facilities, security, food, shelter and agricultural support. UNHCR is coordinating with other organizations to address these needs. INTERSOS staff conducted assessment of the vocational skill training programme to verify the abilities and assess the impact of trainings. Literacy classes are ongoing in all women and youth centres of Baidit, Makuach and Jalle Payams. 6

7 EAST SUDAN Major developments Due to heavy rains in Eritrea during the first week of July, the Al Gash River burst its banks. Most of the villages to the north of Kassala State were flooded. Houses, latrines and wells were partially or completely destroyed. The town of Aroma was completely flooded and cut off from the Khartoum - Port Sudan highway. UN agencies along with international and national NGOs carried out rapid assessments of the situation. In order to respond to the floods, WFP started the distribution of food to the affected local population, UNICEF distributed non-food items (NFIs) and UNHCR donated 3,000 blankets and 1,500 sleeping mats. Refugee matters Asylum Seekers From 25 June to 19 July, the reception centre in Wad Sherife, Kassala State, received 620 asylum seekers from Eritrea (468), Ethiopia (13), Somalia (135) and Cameroon (4). The camp has been inaccessible due to floods in the beginning of July. Asylum Seekers are normally transferred from Shagarab and Girba to Wad Sherife, but due to flooding in Kassala state they were transferred to Kilo 26 camp. Livelihood Crop cultivation has begun by refugee farmers in all camps except Wad Sherife, which lacks arable land. The Agency for Cooperation and Development in Research (ACORD) provided financial assistance to refugee farmers in Abuda, Kilo 26, Shagarab and Um Gargur camps. UNHCR provided the same assistance to the central state camps of SUKI and Fau. HIV/AIDS Three Laboratory Technicians from Shagarab, Kilo 26 and Girba camps and one medical doctor from Human Appeal International (HAI) traveled to Khartoum to participate in the Sentinel Surveillance training for HIV among pregnant mothers. The three day training facilitated by the Sudan National Aids Programme (SNAP), focused on the protocol of the survey and prepares the way for the implementation of the nation wide survey that is scheduled to start in August. UNHCR procured and equipped health facility survey sites with laboratory equipment, a deep freezer and refrigerators for specimen collection during the survey. Malaria UNHCR also provided long lasting treated mosquito nets to the Wad Sherife camp population (estimated at 33,000 refugees). UNHCR and Sudan Red Crescent (SRC) are expecting a reduction in malaria morbidity and mortality this year due to usage of the nets. Meanwhile, a new Health Information System for monitoring the health programme was inaugurated in Eastern Sudan on 01 July Assessment in all camps shows that six out of eight health facilities started implementation of the programme. The SRC sites of Wad Sherife and Abuda camps did not start implementing due to the floods in Kassala state. 7

8 DARFUR WEST DARFUR Security The volatile security situation in Zalingei, Masterei, Sirba, and Abu-Surug continued to affect humanitarian operations in Darfur. Several vehicles hijacking were reported in East West Darfur (centered on Zallingei). On 29 June, UN Department of Safety and Security (UNDSS) advised all UN and INGOs to restrict movement of vehicles in Zalingei town and environs due to an increase threat of car jacking. Clashes broke out in Mastrei (South West of El Geneina) between militia and the Justice and Equality Movement (JEM) faction. UNDSS has assessed the situation in Mastrei and made recommendations to avoid this area as there is tension in the area. Local leaders and other parties were trying to solve the matter to guarantee security for the humanitarian assistance flow. Abusroje and Sirba camps were also closed for humanitarian activities due to the deteriorating security situation. Population Movements Major population displacement continued from Um Dafok area (South Darfur) to Um Dukhun. Triangle/ Um Dukhun reported 1,046 families arrived and settled in Gedida camp and estimated 1,000 more individuals were expected. Most of them are coming from Rehed al Birdi and Buram, citing harassment for alleged support to SLA. There have been a noticeable number of new arrivals to Hemidya and Hassa Hissa camps (Zalingei) from the areas of Jebel Marra and Saraf Omra. Approximately, 152 individuals (35 families) from Saraf Omra arrived in Hemidya camp and 22 individuals (six families) have arrived in Hassa Hissa camp. It was reported that there has been a number of influxes to the areas of Kutrum and Golo (Jabel Marra) due to escalation of fighting between the rebel factions and the GoS in the east part of Jebel Marra. The details remain unknown including the number of the new arrivals, though according to the Sheikhs, the influx is not major. The issue is to be further verified once the security situation allows access. Chadian refugees in Um Shalaya UNCHR continues to receive Chadian refugees in Um Shalaya camp. Two hundred and sixty two individuals were registered by UNHCR Mornei. On 2 July, UNHCR transferred another 12 Chadian refugees to Um Shalaya refugee camp. These new arrivals from Habila come in addition to 433 refugees in the camp that are still remain to be registered since April due to UNHCR s problems accessing the Um Shalaya camp. Twelve Chadian refugees from the Dajo tribe approached UNHCR for assistance to travel to the Um Shalaya refugee camp. The refugees had fled Chad in June and stayed in the Foro Baranga area prior to arriving in Habila. UNHCR assisted them with clothing, food, and travel money. On July, Save the Children distributed food in Um Shalaya refugees to 5,798 individuals for the month of July. Food has been pre-positioned in the warehouse for the next two months (August, September). 8

9 To date, the total number of registered refugees in the Um Shalaya camp by UNHCR is 5,260 individuals out of 5,798 identified by COR. El Geneina IDP camps UNHCR in El Geneina continues to complete the verification exercise of the new arrivals (arrivals from villages north Geneina) in Dorti and Riyad camps for food assistance, which is being carried out by the Save the Children (SC-US). There are indications that cases of malnourishment among these groups might be on the rise. In Ardamata camp, relocation process of over 765 IDP families from the flood area to a new area in the north-east part of the camp has been completed. Some 200 families have received construction materials, 700 families received plastic sheeting, and some other non-food items assistance to all beneficiaries. The situation with farming is difficult for IDPs in Geneina camps, but especially for IDPs in Dorti. IDPs in Dorti Camp generally originate from villages between Dorti and Kondobe (north), however, they are hesitant to travel to the northern direction due to heavy presence of nomads in the area. Monitoring mission Saleah On 4 July, UNHCR conducted a visit to Saleah. The situation in the whole Sirba/Saleah area remains extremely tense. A new phenomenon that further exacerbates the tensions is increase in the number of nomads entering Saleah area (south part) with their herds due to insecurity in Chad. The situation has somewhat improved during the last week. Clashes took place during the month of June resulted in a number of deaths on the road to Goz Mino/Jabal Moon. This has contributed to further limit the movement of villagers outside Saleah. This season, villagers are trying to cultivate north Saleah, since south and east directions are too risky. UNHCR will continue monitoring the situation. Community leaders mentioned that a number of returns have taken place to Aroshorow, Hajilija and Saleah from Chad due to the prevailing insecurity. The team was unable to obtain information about numbers of returnees. UNHCR is in contact with partners working in the area to obtain more information. Tulus On 10 July, UNCHR undertook a mission to Tulus to assess reports of Chadian arrivals. Fifteen Salamat families have recently arrived in the Tulus area from Chad, while a group of 36 Tarjam families arrived in the past few months, reportedly after their damra (nomad settlements) was repeatedly searched and looted by Chadian soldiers. Fifty Awlad Rashid families are already in the area for the last two years. Beida On 8 and 9 July, UNHCR Habila conducted a mission to Beida. UNHCR supported Tearfund staff in distributing non-food items to damras surrounding Beida and helped verify vulnerable families in need of additional material assistance. Throughout the Beida, Arara, Kongo and Haraza area there are insufficient schools and teachers. Children are unable to receive primary education, despite registering, due to the fact that schools have no capacity to accommodate them. UNHCR met UNICEF and Ministry of Education officials (MoE), to discuss the gaps. During the meeting, it was decided that an assessment mission by the MoE, to all three towns will take place within the next two weeks. 9

10 Protection Working Group meeting On 3 July, Protection Working Group El-Geneina held a meeting on the issue of IDPs access to land for cultivation. It was noticed, that the majority of IDPs who cultivated their land could not harvest their crops because of insecurity and/or destruction of crops by animals. A task force was formed to look into possible ways of facilitating IDPs access to land. The task force consists of UNHCR, UNMIS Civil affairs and FAO. On 17 July, the task force agreed to concentrate on Krenek and Mornei as two locations that had the most problems during the last cultivation season. Teams will be deployed to gather information, including but not limited to resources available in the area, nomad tribes residing in/migrating through the area, root causes of conflict between farmers and nomads. Peace Building and Conflict resolution On 4-5 July, UNHCR Zalingei conducted training on Peace Building and Conflict resolution to students from Zalingei University. Sixty-five students attended the training which was organized in collaboration with the Centre for Peace and Development-Zalingei University. The objective was to create awareness on the causes of conflict in IDP camps and in the host community, to equip the participants with skills on how solve conflicts in their respective communities, to enable to develop a plan and a collective vision for the future of peace building efforts in their respective camps and promote dialogue, peace and conflict management among the different groups in IDP camps and the host community. Distribution of non- food items UNHCR Habila extended its NFI stocks to enable Save the Children (SC US) to distribute NFIs to all families in Habila town and surrounding villages. Distributions to two villages, Nurelhuda and Abudahia, have been completed on the basis of WFP ration cards. UNHCR is working with SC -US and INTERSOS, to ensure that all villages in the Habila are included into an NFI distribution before the rainy season. SGBV training On June, UNHCR and SC - US conducted a sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) training for community leaders and national staff from Krenek. Fifty-one individuals participated in the training. 10

11 Funding Update for UNHCR Operations in Sudan as at 26 July 2007 Total 2007 requirements: USD 91,684, Total requirements for DARFUR SB: USD 19,739, Total requirements for SOUTH SUDAN SB: USD 56,137, Requirements for East SUDAN AB: USD 15,808,110 Donor Contributions (USD) Darfur SB South Sudan East Sudan AB Canada 317,797 1,271,186 Bill and Melinda Gates 4,000,000 Foundation Belgium 1,013,514 Germany 1,366,120 Denmark 2,733,686 Dutch Postcode Lottery 1,333,333 European Commission 1,501, ,895 Floridon Foundation 98,684 Ireland 460,526 Monaco 50,000 66,225 Japan 3,000,000 Spain 3, ,654 Switzerland 819,672 Sweden 1,455,604 Italy 672,043 Shinnyo-en 50,000 United States of America 4,950,000 13,750,000 2,077,120 Common Humanitarian Fund 1,850,000 6,690,063 52,000 Holy See 17,273 51,818 17,273 UN Programme on HIV/AIDS 85,600 Australia for UNHCR 1,298 Japan Association for UNHCR 21,264 Misc. Donors Italy 243,959 Espana Con ACNUR 716 TOTAL CONTRIBUTIONS - 9,704,165 32,822,859 8,695,880 ALL DONORS Carry over from ,911,049 10,939,584 2,271,744 Other income and transfers 74, ,428 GRAND TOTAL 12,689,436 43,869,871 10,967,624 11