Sudan/Chad Situation Update Highlights

Transcription

1 Sudan/Chad Situation Update Highlights SOUTH SUDAN Security Lord s Resistance Army (LRA) activity continued in areas of Eastern Equatoria. Western Equatoria remained stable with no reported incidents. Bahr el Ghazal and Lakes remained relatively stable, with some incidents of clan fighting relating to cattle migration still being reported in the Yirol area but not affecting UN Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) activities. In Eastern Equatoria, OLS level 3 was declared in Nimule, Parajok, and Labone due to LRA incidents. OLS Level 4 was declared in the rural areas and roads in the LRA triangle (this comprises the area east of the Aswa River between Nimule and Juba, the area west of a line from Juba to Mount Kinyeti and the Ugandan border and the area north of the Ugandan border between Mount Kinyeti and Nimule). Western Upper Nile and Central Upper Nile remained stable. In Eastern Upper Nile and Shilluk Kingdom, Akobo, Wanding, Kier and Thokliet remained at OLS level 4. The general security situation in Juba town and surrounding areas remained relatively peaceful. SPLA security personnel reported that a task force is advancing from SPLA-controlled areas towards Government-held areas to jointly conduct operations with Sudan Armed Forces against the LRA. Ethiopian refugees in Juba Following a joint UNHCR/WFP head count of refugees in Lologo, all Ethiopian refugees have now been issued with monthly food distribution cards. Before mine clearance of the land begins, the refugees will undergo a land mine awareness training so that they can start cultivating the land allocated to them by local chiefs. Ethiopian refugees in Pochalla Staff from UNHCR Rumbek are currently in Pochalla, in the Upper Nile region, on the border with Ethiopia, to follow up on an earlier assessment mission to the region and finalise projects in the fields of water, health and education. In Pochalla, there are about 8,000-9,000 Ethiopian Anuak refugees who have settled with the local population of the same ethnicity. The region is also a return area, mainly for Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia. The team will look into providing assistance to the refugees as well as improving the local population s capacity to receive returnees. Return of Sudanese refugees from Ethiopia UNHCR Gambella, Ethiopia, met with the SPLA/M Coordinator for Paguak and Maiwut area who mentioned that work is ongoing for the construction of a bridge at Kahtir River (location considered to be the natural border between Ethiopia and Sudan) through International Cooperation for an Integrated Rural Development (CiDRi). He added that road conditions from Kuargen town to the bridge site will be improved and, depending on the availability of funds, the road between Gambella and Paguak will be repaired later in the year. It worthwhile to note that 90 percent of the Sudanese refugees from the three camps in Gambella region (Bonga, Fugnido and Dimma) is expected to repatriate through the Kuargen-Paguak route. He also informed UNHCR that during his recent visit to Paguak, he met several Uduk refugees returning from Bonga camp, living in desperate conditions. He stated that he provided these 1/10

2 returnees with water and food who then continued their journey to their respective destinations. UNHCR Gambella verified this information and found that these refugees are leaving because they wish to return and cultivate their lands and construct tukuls to prepare for the return of their families. This movement concerns only men who have instructed women and children to stay behind in the camp. Refugee leaders mentioned that many refugees leave the camp during the night and return to Sudan. This year very few Uduk refugees have cultivated lands in Ethiopia as they expect the repatriation to start shortly after the end of the registration (completed on 17 March). Population movements to Juba The population of Juba has almost doubled now and returnee students who have been registered by HAC number over 600. In addition to spontaneous returnee students, family visits and traders who bring in goods from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda and SPLAcontrolled areas, a new category of returnees has emerged family heads who leave their families behind and come to assess the situation in Juba before taking a final decision to return with their families. Improved access to Juba The reopening of the Juba-Yei road and the introduction of commercial vehicles has added a shorter access to Juba from the south and south-west. The mine-infested road of Juba-Nimule leading to Uganda is now also accessible. The Torit road has become more insecure as armed banditry are stepping up their military campaign on the road. The Deputy Governor of Juba paid an official visit to 39 mile point, a point where trucks from Juba and Yei meet and a temporary official meeting point between SPLA/M- and Government-held areas. During his visit, he declared that the most important road linking the southern capital Juba to Yei (and to Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo) is open. Clearing and demining of the road have started and people are now officially allowed to travel by bus from Juba up to 39 mile point at the Government s fare of 1,500 Sudanese Dinars per ticket. The opening of the road generated a lot of excitement as this road is an important one in South Sudan and a shortcut to neighbouring countries. Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Yei River Province has been ordered by the Governor to immediately transfer his office from Juba to 39 mile point. Return Task Force On 22 April, the first Return Task Force (RTF) for the South was held in Rumbek. The discussion focused on the Protection Framework for the Return of IDPs and Refugees, prepared in the South, and the Return Plan for IDPs, prepared in the North. It was recommended that the two documents be merged so that it results in a common framework for the return of IDPs and refugees. The Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator tasked the RTF to draft an operational plan for the return to be presented to Khartoum before the end of May. Sustainable returns On 21 April, UNHCR participated in the Sustainable Returns Team meeting which discussed integration efforts for IDPs arriving in urban areas, Rumbek in particular. The SPLM Secretariat of Education requested an urgent intervention in the provision of secondary education. There is currently a total lack of teachers and infrastructure (two functioning secondary schools in Bahr el Ghazal, none in Upper Nile). There is no examination board and there is no agreed-upon curriculum. 2/10

3 Community-Based Reintegration Projects UNHCR briefed SRRC and County Commissioners of Yei, Morobo and Lainya on the community-based reintegration projects that have been identified so far for implementation. The Commissioners were provided with details of project activities, location, implementation and cost. It was agreed that all project proposals by NGOs should first be discussed with county officials before being presented to UNHCR or other agencies. International Aid Services has completed the rehabilitation of four boreholes in Yei town; three of the four boreholes are operational. Water committees that will manage the boreholes have been established for each rehabilitated borehole. Visit to Juba by UNMIS Force Commander The week was marked by the visit of General Fazle Elahi Akbar, UNMIS Force Commander, and other senior staff of the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations. During his visit, the Force Commander met with the Governor of Bhar El Jabl, the Government s Army Area Commander, SPLM/A leadership in Juba as well as heads of UN Agencies and NGOs. At the meeting with heads of humanitarian organizations, he explained his role as chairman of the Ceasefire Joint Military Committee which will be headquarted in Juba and which will manage the implementation of the military and security aspects of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement. He also introduced the plan relating to the arrival of UN Peacekeepers in different parts of the country. New Constitution The National Constitutional Drafting Committee, charged with the drafting of the new Constitution, is currently meeting in Khartoum. The meeting started on 24 April and is attended by 60 lawyers, government officials and selected politicians from the North and South. The delegation from South Sudan is headed by Michael Makuei, Attorney-General of South Sudan. Update on funding situation for South Sudan as at 27 April Requirements: US$ 60,187, Contributions: US$ 11,326,901 EAST SUDAN Security The security situation in the East remained stable. However, exchanges of accusations against the Government by the Eastern Front (a coalition of Beja and Rashaidah Arab rebel groups) for not seriously addressing the issues of the East dominated the media. Consolidation of camps In the Central State, refugees have raised strong objections to the imminent closure of their camps where they have lived for more than 30 years. They promised to make their objections formal. Meanwhile, it has been observed that camp managers, who are also affected by the closure of the camps, are stirring up the refugees. The consolidation of Wad El Hileau and Um Ali camps to Abuda, which started during the last week of March, has been completed. A total of 44 families, comprising 244 individuals, have been relocated. All forms of assistance, including the construction of tukuls, have been provided. 3/10

4 Camp issues Food delivery and distribution is still trying to make up for the delay of past months. Food rations for April have not been received in most camps. Shortage of drinking water in most camps continues due to non-availability of fuel in the camps. Refugees from Um Gulja complained of the exorbitant Government fees for issuance of ID cards. Many of those who cannot afford to pay are afraid of deportation in case of round-ups by the police. They have asked for UNHCR s assistance to convince the Government to reduce the fees if the ID cards cannot be given for free. It has been observed that most camps have some system and structure in place for solving problems, such as councils, especially with regard to protection-related cases. These councils, however, only consist of male elders in the camp. Most councils interviewed said they use traditional problem-solving methods and the process strictly follows Islam teachings. UNHCR will do a proper assessment of this. Unaccompanied minors from Eritrea There has been a slight increase in the number of Eritrean unaccompanied minors (UAMs) entering Sudan and arriving at Kilo 26 camp, but their situation is being monitored closely. A UNHCR Protection Officer visits the camp on a regular basis to meet with new UAMs, provide assistance and liaise with UNHCR in Eritrea when they want to establish contact with their families. UAMs are provided with hot meals through a local restaurant and have recently been given footballs and volleyballs for recreation in the evenings. Rehabilitation of refugee-affected areas In Gedaref, rehabilitation of Doka hospital is 95% complete, while rehabilitation of Um Rakuba hospital is 100% complete. In addition, a new theatre building is being constructed. In Kassala, ten rehabilitation projects in four locations are in progress. These include rehabilitation/construction work in Kassala and Girba hospitals as well as rehabilitation of the school in Wad El Hileau and the construction of eight classrooms in W/Sherife. Update on funding situation for East Sudan as at 27 April Requirements: US$ 12,165, Contributions: US$ 5,028,212 DARFUR Security The Jabel Moon area remains insecure. Despite the recent operation by government forces to flush the NMRD out of Jabel Moon, some National Movement for Reforms and Development (NMRD) fighters remain and, possibly, JEM and SLA personnel as well. Government troops are still stationed nearby and renewed hostilities allegedly occurred on April, the nature of which is still not confirmed. There are also reports of increasing Chadian presence along the border between West Darfur and Chad. These include reports of Chadian, both Arabs and Zagawa militia, entering West Darfur in the Masteri, Kongo Araza, Beida and Ararah areas and reports that Chadian militia have penetrated as far east as the Mornei area. This is in addition 4/10

5 to occasional reports received over the past months that regular Chadian military have entered into West Darfur to chase cattle thieves. Camp coordination in West Darfur Together with OCHA, UNHCR will undertake responsibility for IDP camp coordination in West Darfur. Terms of reference for joint support to IDP camp coordination will be developed by the UNHCR and OCHA offices in El Geneina. It is proposed that under the arrangement, interventions with the authorities on protection-related matters will be done by UNHCR (and no longer by the present agency camp coordinators) in view of UNHCR's responsibility in West Darfur to ensure implementation of a comprehensive and consistent protection framework. A UNHCR Senior Field Coordinator will provide coordination and advice to agencies working in the camps. Return movements from Chad UNHCR undertook a two-day mission (13-14 April) to the villages of Gobbe, Tewenj, Jadida in Habila District to confirm reports of refugee returns and also to investigate the alleged arrival of small groups of Chadian nationals. The mission confirmed that a relatively small number of Chadians had crossed the border with the intention of registering for food assistance. They were refused registration and returned to their villages of origin. Moreover, in Gobbe, approximately 114 households/500 individuals originating from Sala have temporarily settled in a makeshift IDP camp, pending an improvement in security and the restoration of basic infrastructure in Sala. Local officials report a small, but perceptible, improvement in the security situation and its environs. They attribute this to the increased presence of international agencies as well as the recent food registration conducted by WFP, in which nomadic communities were included and separate distribution centres established. Approximately 91 Chadian individuals, consisting primarily of women and children, have settled in Tewenj, where they intend to remain, despite their exclusion from the recent WFP food registration. The team also confirmed the return of several small groups of refugees from border towns in Chad, apparently to access food and other humanitarian assistance. In Jadida, the bulk of villagers who returned from Chad in March 2004 have been forced to relocate to nearby Tewenj because of the deteriorating security situation and harassment of nomads. Thirty households currently remain in the village, but the Sheikhs report that many of these families are also preparing to join their neighbours in Tewenj. The large number of Chadians who reportedly arrived to register for food assistance has also departed. In Talahaia, approximately 130 households from four neighbouring villages have re-established themselves, with the intention of accessing their former farmland from this single, consolidated community. According to the Sheikhs, the residents of the four small villages decided to resettle in Talahaia to obtain improved government services as well as improved access to food and other humanitarian assistance. These returns appear genuine and voluntary. The returnees in Talahaia claimed that a representative of the Fursha visited Chad to encourage their return, but neither exerted pressure nor promised material rewards in exchange for their return. 5/10

6 Elderly refugees A mission was sent to Kosti, Tajuna and Fokodiko villages in the Um Tajouk area on April to distribute non-food items, including clothing, mosquito nets and soap to elderly residents (47 men and 113 women). These villages are village of origin/return where UNHCR has identified populations of vulnerable elderly, some of whom have not left the village during the conflict but whose children have fled and thus have been unable to care properly for their elderly relatives. Another mission to Lima, Amrikana and Muriat, also in the Um Tajouk area, took place on April. A total of 151 elderly received non-food items, including clothing, soap and mosquito nets. Both distributions were extremely well received by the communities, as their villages are remote and had not previously received any assistance. Rehabilitation of villages of origin In coordination with UNICEF and WES, organizations in charge of water and sanitation have identified villages for the drilling of boreholes in IDP and return communities in West Darfur. Six rigs have been positioned in the localities of Kulbus, Habila, Foraboranga, and Mukjar. Rigs have been positioned in localities furthest from El Geneina in order to complete sites before the onset of rainy season impedes access. UNHCR has also followed up on the distribution of seeds and tools in villages of origin. Monitoring in villages of origin and nomadic damras On 13 April, UNHCR Zalingi and DRC visited three villages. The first, Tereej, has a mixed population of 1,880 inhabitants who are IDPs and local residents. The second, Karti, has a population of both Arabs and settled farmers with a total of 1,100 persons. The third, Orokom, is a collection of damras or nomadic base settlements. The main preoccupation of the populations was food shortages during the dry period up until the commencement of the rainy season. UNHCR has raised this with WFP who is planning to conduct food distribution to these local/host communities. Monitoring of firewood collection routes The patrolling of firewood collection routes has been handed over from the African Union (AU) military observers to the AU civilian police. This is part of a strategy to ultimately devolve responsibility for providing protection to women to the local police in the Zalingi area. The patrolling exercise and subsequent monitoring/debriefings with the IDP community in Zalingi indicate that more women are collecting firewood and more male IDPs are accompanying their female relatives for this activity. The community as a whole feels safer as a result of the patrolling. Meanwhile, UNHCR has been in discussions with the AU regarding their participation in accompanying women to collect firewood in Sisi and camps in El Geneina. Return of IDPs from South to West Darfur On 18 April, 81 families (approximately 350 individuals) from Kalma camp (South Darfur) were transported to Deleige in the vicinity of Garsila (West Darfur). According to sources on the ground, these families were transported to Deleige and placed in a school building. Some of those in the group stated that they had been given 10,000 Sudanese Dinars by the authorities in exchange for agreeing to come back; several individuals said that they intended to return to Kalma immediately. Several days later, most of these persons were no longer in the school and some of them had apparently returned to Kalma. UNHCR has expressed grave concern that the movement happened without any prior consultation with the international agencies in South or West Darfur and without any reference to the mechanisms for joint cooperation for voluntary 6/10

7 return which the Government has agreed to with IOM for South Darfur and UNHCR for West Darfur. Although it appears that the movement was induced through payments of money rather than forced, UNHCR, IOM and other agencies have sought and obtained the Government s agreement to suspend such movements until their nature and circumstances can be verified. The Government indicated that this was the first of a series of planned returns and claimed that there were many IDPs in Kalma who had registered for return with the Government. It was agreed that lists of families registered for return would be shared with UNHCR and IOM so as to enable the agencies to verify the voluntary nature of these movements and whether they take place in safety and dignity. At the same time, the circumstances of the movement of 18 April will be verified both in Kalma and Garsila. HAC has to date not provided the lists needed to conduct the verification, but the mission will go ahead to try to gather information on the ground. Re-registration for food distribution in Kalma camp A re-registration of Kalma camp planned for April did not take place. Early in the morning of 19 April, HAC informed a number of involved humanitarian agencies that there were security problems in the camp and that the registration should be postponed. On investigation of the situation inside the camp, the agencies found that the security situation was normal and proposed to go ahead with the registration. However, the HAC Commissioner for South Darfur ordered that the registration should not go ahead. It has therefore been postponed. Re-registration for food assistance in El Geneina WFP will be undertaking re-registration of the IDP population around El Geneina this week. UNHCR is working closely with WFP and IOM to ensure that the forthcoming food registration exercise planned for El Geneina will include the most vulnerable in the camps. UNHCR will participate in vulnerable mobile teams which will enable the vulnerable to be registered from their homes and hospitals. Community-Based Reintegration Projects in West Darfur The final version of the proposed agreement with Triangle has been finalized and is awaiting signature. The overall objective of the Triangle project is to support the resettlement of IDPs in the Bindisi area (area of origin), through the rehabilitation and/or supply of water, sanitation and shelter and distribution of non-food items. The Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) has shown interest to submit proposals mainly on rehabilitation of health facilities in the El Geneina area. Mercy Malaysia has submitted a proposal for the rehabilitation of a preschool in Krindig II. The preschool will serve not only for children but also for adult literacy classes in the afternoons. Women and youth centres Discussions were held with Intersos regarding the women s and youth centres project proposal in Habila. The security situation has unfortunately delayed the establishment of the youth centres and new women s centres as the staff were evacuated from their area of operation for three weeks. It was agreed that the youth centres will be established as soon as possible and community mobilization has already commenced. The new women s centres will be established before June and the additional centres will commence in July and will be in villages of return. Income generation activities have now commenced in all the women s centres being run through Intersos and there continues to be high attendance at the literacy classes. 7/10

8 Promotion of fuel-efficient stoves UNHCR has developed pre and post stove surveys, which are being conducted by NGOs in the field. The surveys show that with the use of fuel-efficient stoves, women are spending about 50 percent less time cooking and use 50 percent less fuel. The stoves have also decreased their need to collect firewood. However, in some areas, women still choose to collect as much firewood as before but sell it for income generation. All NGOs report that, in addition to the positive impact on the environment, the stoves have had beneficial effects on safety and health in the home. Distribution of sanitary materials Sanitary materials have been sent to Habila and Garsila for distribution. Registration mechanisms to ensure that all women have access to the distribution have been discussed with Intersos which will begin distribution in the coming weeks. This is part of the programme to implement UNHCR s five commitments to refugee women. The plan is that all IDP women in West Darfur will receive sanitary materials. Visit of the Deputy Director of Operations for the Sudan Situation The Deputy Director of Operations for the Sudan Situation and a Protection Officer from Headquarters visited Habila. They met with the Deputy Commissioner of Habila, the Sheiks, recent returnees from Chad and visited the women s centres operated by Intersos. Some of the issues raised included the ongoing intimidation of the population of Habila by armed militia. They then traveled to Mornei and met with Concern which is the camp coordinator. En route, they had the opportunity to see some of the villages which the Government has proposed under their rehabilitation scheme. The delegation also attended a meeting with the Sector Commander of the AU in El Geneina. The AU outlined their activities and highlighted the constraints that they currently have in relation to limited logistics and the difficulties with trying to increase the number of daily patrols. The AU said they have recently deployed to Mornei and will cover Wadi Salih from this base, including regular patrols to Bindisi, in response to the protection concerns in that area. The AU spoke of the excellent relationship with UNHCR and of the assistance that has been provided to them by the organization. Visit by journalists Following the visit of the Acting High Commissioner to Darfur, accompanying journalists from the New York Times, Reuters and Japanese wire service were taken by UNHCR to Abu Sorouj and to Masteri. In Abu Sorouj, the journalists heard reports of armed militia harassing, beating and intimidating the population. In Masteri, they visited the village of Seraf, several km southwest of Masteri. This village was abandoned during 2004 and has been empty since that time. Four days before the visit, the remains of the village had been burned to the ground. It is feared that this may be part of a systematic campaign to discourage people from returning to their villages. There are no reports of any IDPs returning to their villages of origin around Masteri, as the area remains insecure, with both Arab militias and SLA/JEM present in the area. New UNHCR field offices Following a mission to Mukjar (31 March 9 April), it became clear that establishment of an office in Mukjar will encounter significant logistical obstacles because it is very remote and underdeveloped. However, it has been decided to go ahead with the opening of the office anyway to enable better access to the affected populations. Initial inquiries have also been 8/10

9 made into the practicalities of establishing a field office in Kolbus. The local authorities have welcomed the idea. Update on funding situation for Darfur as at 27 April Requirements: US$ 31,341, Contributions: US$ 2,837,884 CHAD Security Insecurity remains prevalent at the border with Sudan and appears to be primarily linked to cattle theft. Tensions between refugees and humanitarian organizations in Oure Cassoni camp increased due in large part to the issue of incentives for refugee workers. Representatives of humanitarian organizations active in the camp had several meetings with teachers who have been on strike since mid-march and community leaders. During a meeting with community leaders, the humanitarian staff were threatened. Representatives of the local authorities in charge of camp security have expressed the wish to intervene in the situation. Meetings with Governors of Wadi Fira and Ouaddai regions Coordination meetings were held with the Governors of the Wadi Fira and Ouaddai regions. These meetings gathered representatives of NGOs and UN Agencies active in the Governors respective regions. Topics on the agenda were food security and health for the Wadi Fira region and the creation of a coordination mechanism for projects to the benefit of local populations as well as the new site in Gaga for the Ouaddai region. New Gaga camp site UNHCR Adré has been sensitizing the populations of Farchana and Bredjing camps to their future transfer to the new Gaga camp site. The population of Farchana is particularly concerned about the transfer. Visits to the site by community leaders are foreseen in the coming weeks as part of the sensitization campaign. Despite the recent agreement of the local authorities and population to the transfer of the 109 refugees at the border, UNHCR Guéréda has been unable to transfer them as they have scattered in the area. A representative of the refugees has been requested to gather the group so that they can be transferred. Members of the Chadian security services responsible for ensuring protection in refugee camps of the region have been deployed to the new Gaga camp site in anticipation of the refugees transfer. Work is ongoing to set up the necessary water distribution system in the site. Three boreholes yielding a total of 12 litres per second have been finalised and two of the three planned water tanks have been installed. Visit of the Acting High Commissioner The Acting High Commissioner visited eastern Chad as part of her five day mission to Sudan and Chad, which started in Khartoum on 18 April. After visiting the Darfur region of western Sudan, she arrived in Abeche on 20 April. She visited UNHCR's field office in the town of Iriba and met with refugees from Darfur in Touloum camp. The refugees told the Acting High Commissioner that their main concerns were food, water, firewood and literacy classes for women. Upon return to Geneva, she held a press conference where she stressed that UNHCR 9/10

10 has a unique protective role to play, but cannot fully meet its goals because it is limited by funds. In Chad, UNHCR needs over US$ 80 million but has only received US$ 30 million. Update on funding situation for Chad as at 27 April Requirements: US$ 81,225, Contributions: US$ 30,838,078 10/10