Initial Rapid Needs Assessment: Jarwang and Malou, Bor South County, Jonglei Executive summary 21 February 2014 This inter-agency Rapid Needs Assessment was conducted on 21 February, 2014 in Jarwang village (Anyidi Payam) and Malou (Makuac) in Bor South County, Jonglei State. The assessment team comprised of OCHA & RRC (Coordination), PIN (FSL, ES), WFP (FSL), JAM (FSL), NP (Protection, Education, WASH), WHO (Health, Nutrition). Assessment methodology included group discussion, one-on-one meetings with key informants and physical observation. The housing in Jarwang village and the surrounding villages were not significantly damaged by the recent conflict. Therefore, most of the shelters (tukuls) are intact. However, looting of property including household items was reported. Their livelihoods were disrupted, as they were forced to temporary displacement to locations across the Nile River including Wathalel since 17 December when the fighting broke out in Bor. Some of the population of the village, which according to the Local Chief had before the crises an estimated population of 543 households, have started returning since 23 January. Current population in the village is estimated at 147 households, a figure subject to verification and registration exercise, which will start next week. However, the village is also hosting IDPs from Anyidi making about 40% of its current population. These IDPs came from Anyidi, which was directly affected by the violence. The IDPs were reportedly assaulted while fleeing through the bush. The majority of the people that the team saw were women and children (see the pictures in the report). In Malou the team saw only a few households, as the majority of its population (approximately 20,000) are still displaced to other areas. The few families returned from Twic East. Their main reason for their return was fear of attack on Twic East and lack of food. They anticipated more arrivals in the coming days with the possibility that some the returning families might proceed to Minkamman. The team representing the various clusters in the state recommended that humanitarian response starting with registration and verification to be launched in Jarwang within next week. Key needs identified included food (one month), NFI/ES and WASH among others. In Malou where the team observed only a few households an on-going monitoring was recommended; a call for another assessment might be made, as the number of returnees increase in the coming days and/or weeks. This IRNA Report is a product of Inter-Agency Assessment mission conducted and information compiled based on the inputs provided by partners on the ground including; government authorities, affected communities/idps and agencies. 1
Situation Overview (use the secondary information as well as the information gathered under the Generalist section of the IRNA questionnaire. Drivers of Crisis and underlying factors The violence, which begun in Juba on 15 December, immediately spread to various parts of the country. In Bor the fighting broke out on 17 December leading to loss of life, destruction of property and displacement of people. The population of Jarwang and Malou, both located in Bor County, were affected by the successive fighting that took place in Bor since 17 Dec 2013. Scope of crisis and humanitarian profile The conflict resulted in significant cattle raids and loss of relatives, friends and properties. While most of the houses in both Jarwang and Malou remain intact, almost all of them had their contents (food and NFIs) looted. The basic service facilities including water, health and education are not functioning or were destroyed (e.g. the clinic). Since Jarwang is located in a swampy area along the River Nile and is less exposed to attacks as compared to Malou, some of its residents have started to return since 23 January after the Government retook Bor. According to the Local Chief, the village has now some 147 households, which is only 27 percent of its original population (estimated at 543 households). Furthermore, nearly 40% of the 147 households are IDPs who flee from Anyidi and that are currently using the houses of those who fled from Jarwang. The IDPs that fled from Jarwang went to the other side of the River bank including Wathalel and Minkamman (2-3 hours far from Jarwang by boat). The community members hoped that many of their members would return in the coming days and weeks. In Malou, although a few families have returned, it remains by and large deserted. Nevertheless, it is hoped that the number of returning families will increase gradually, thus, the need for close monitoring. The IDPs from Malou are reported to be in Twic East, Golyar, Minkamman and the Toc area (swampy grazing areas along the Nile River). The majority of the population in Jarwang (both IDPs & returnees) are women, children and elderly people. In the absence of any humanitarian assistance, their main coping mechanisms include fishing and collection of wild fruits (dessert date). Those who have money go to Bor to purchase food commodities and get medical service. Trends and Scenarios Bor South County including the two villages assessed by the IRNA team has been under the Government Control for the last several weeks. Provided that the current status quo continues more and Displaced/ returnee population: Estimated at: 147 households; actual figure to be determined through the planned assessment & verification. Key Priorities FS&L Registration 30 day general food distribution Seeds and fishing nets/hooks, WASH Assessment & rehabilitation of existing boreholes, Provision of WASH NFIs including PUR, Promotion of latrine construction Health Support for the PHCU to resume work, Provision of drugs & supplies to the PHCU, Immediate resumption of routine immunisation services Education Reopening of the school, Close monitoring of the situation Protection: Monitoring of IDP movement and resulting protection concerns Advocacy with government authorities as primary duty bearers to ensure protection of civilians Protection monitoring in close coordination with respective agencies in case of an emergency response 2
more IDPs are expected to return to both Jarwang and Malou. The community members in the two villages are hopeful that the remaining members of their communities would return. The main threats to the population in the short and medium term are insecurity, lack of basic services and disruption of livelihoods. Therefore, provision of immediate relief and livelihood support is needed. Provision of fishing materials and general food tops the priorities of the community in Jarwang. Humanitarian Access Except physical challenges, there are no access problems for delivering assistance in these locations. DSA conducted SRA and cleared UN missions to both locations. Nevertheless, Jarwang is accessible only by light vehicle and by boat. Therefore, assistance can be delivered using light trucks or boats. Moreover, the area is swampy and hence, it would be difficult to access it by road once the rains start. Thus, the need for delivering of any humanitarian assistance before the wet season sets in. Findings Food Security & Livelihoods Key findings In Jarwang, although the conflict reportedly resulted in significant cattle raids, the community has still some stocks including goats and chicken. The community is located next to River Nile, making fishing an option for food. Community members indicated they are eating wild fruits (desert dates, see picture: 2) to complement the few food stocks they have. Through focus group/ household interviews, the team learnt that the amount of food consumed has decreased as is the number of meals eaten per day compared to pre-conflict. Their present food stock would last only for 1-2 weeks. The market system has been dismantled while preparation for the farming season has been disrupted. It has to be also mentioned that harvest of ground nuts was poor due to flooding last year. The team also observed that there were no signs of acute malnutrition among children under 5. However, nutrition status of vulnerable population will be deteriorated if food assistance will not reach them in the coming weeks. Priorities for Humanitarian Response: The food security situation is precarious. Thus, the need for urgent food assistance to the affected community. Following actions points are recommended: 1) WFP and its NGO partner JAM will conduct registration next week to be followed by distribution of a 30-day half ration as immediate response. 2) Road access to the community by truck is challenging. Prior to food distribution, the community should clean up bushes in order to provide enough passage for the truck transportation. 3 A family that just returned from Twic East to Malou Wild fruit: desert dates used as a source of food
3) Seeds and fishing nets/hooks distribution to the community should be conducted by FSL members urgently. Health Key findings: In Jarwang, the PHCU facility (a grass and wood tukul) collapsed Inside the collapsed facility there were some drugs including Amoxicillin syrup, Co-trimoxazole tabs and ORS packs that are all expired on 1/2014, 05/2013, 06/2013 respectively. The facility was functional before the crisis and there was one community health worker who was also displaced to Minkamman. There were no records found in the collapsed Tukul. However, through interviews with traditional birth attendants and other mothers and elders, the following main health concerns were gathered: Diseases Number of cases in last 7 days Number of deaths in last 7 days Measles 0 0 Malaria 10 0 Acute 7 0 Respiratory infections Cholera 0 0 Injures 0 0 Pregnancyrelated 7 1 conditions Others 0 0 There was not any unusual increase of illnesses or rumours of outbreak of any disease. The total number of live births delivered in the last seven days is 11 with no stillbirth. The last time polio vaccination campaign was carried out in the village was October last year. Since there is no health facility in the village, those who can afford transportation seek free health services in the State hospital in Bor. They can access to the hospital by boat with a charge of 40ssp per person. The boat can reach Bor within 1-2 hrs. The State hospital, both the OPD and surgical department are functioning. At OPD, Ugandan Medical Military is delivering health services and there are enough supplies including antibiotics, ORS, Antimalarials, antipyrectics, as UNICEF donated 30 pediatric kits to the hospital. The routine immunization for children is not in place since the crisis. Priorities for Humanitarian Response: Re-establishment of PHCU and calling the health worker to return to the village State Ministry of Health has to provide drugs and supplies to the village Women carrying fish, main source of food in the village, from the Nile River Community briefing the visiting IRNA team Some new returnees arrive by Boat on 21 Feb 4
Immediate resumption of routine immunization services in all accessible settlements. Nutrition No malnourished children seen. In addition to the team observation, not a single case of malnutrition was reported by the community. NFI & ES Key Findings: Being a bit remote and in a swampy area, Jarwang was not badly affected by the fighting. Most of the houses (tukuls) remain intact despite reported looting of household properties. However, at least, 40% of the current residents in the village are displaced people who are staying in the houses of other people who may return at any time from their displacement across the River Nile including Minkamman. Priorities for Humanitarian Response: NFI/ES Cluster to conduct own verification and provide loose NFI and Emergency Shelter support based on assessed needs. WASH Key findings: Water: Not all the boreholes were assessed during IRNA because there was challenge of accessing distant water points. Only two boreholes were assessed and they are not functioning. They were dismantled by the fighting forces during the conflict, according to the local community. The only source of water for the community is river or pond. When the community was asked whether they boil or treat water before drinking, they said, no then the assessment team concluded why there is high rate of diarrhea and typhoid. The same community was also affected by the flood December, 2013. Sanitation: Open defecation is widespread and no latrines were seen in the area and was the case prior to the conflict for that community. Indiscriminate disposal of solid wastes and animal carcass was seen and may turn to be public health nuisance on rain set if not properly handled now. Hygiene: All the households of the area visited by the team lacked latrines, bathing shelters and proper sanitation utensils were looted. Generally most the returnees showed poor hygiene standards even with the availability of water. 5
Priorities for Humanitarian Response: Specific assessment to be organized for Malou after 1 month before any WASH intervention. For Jawing, the following are the priorities: assessment & rehabilitation of existing boreholes and provision of WASH NFIs including PUR Protection Key findings: Location 1: Jarwang The population interviewed was directly affected by the conflict. Civilians were killed, women were reported to be raped and killed, public and private property was burned and looted as they were fleeing in groups the village Those who received serious injuries and gun-shot wounds were reported to have fled to to Minkamman to seek medical assistance Most of displaced community returned at the end of January 2014 as the humanitarian situation deteriorated in their area of refuge. During focus group discussions, the respondents stated that three women, five children and two men died due to harsh living conditions. IDPs from Anyidi also seek refuge in Jarwang due to perceived insecurity in their village of origin No cases of separated, or unaccompanied minors were reported as families fled together or children were traced The returnees live and move in groups around the village and to Bor town first and foremost due to security concerns but also to share shelter and food If conflict is to break out again, access to a safe areas becomes a concern in particular for those vulnerable such as women, children, elderly, and people with special needs as the river level is high and no communal means of transport exist Freedom of movement is according to statements of the respondents not restricted but they continue to feel insecure when going to Bor town Priorities for humanitarian response: Protection mainstreaming among respective agencies in case of emergency response Protection monitoring with respective partners in case of an emergency response Monitoring of IDP movement in close coordination with the local authorities Location (2): Malou IDP's who previously fled during the outbreak of the conflict in 2013 to Twic East pre-emptively fled due to troop movement in that area and returned to Bor town, their places of residence in search of security The team observed only a few families with their children but respondents during the focus group discussions reported that the number of IDP's fleeing from Twic East will increase Private and public property were looted and burned, civilians were 6
killed as well as SGBV cases were reported No reports during the two focus group discussions were received of separated children, UAM's but orphans who are staying with extended family members Movement is not restricted and IDP's are accessing Bor town in search of food Those who returned are particular vulnerable as they have been displaced twice, which puts their ability to cope under stress. Priorities for humanitarian response: Monitoring of IDP population movement in case the number of returnees increases, which will require an emergency response Education Key Findings: Location 1: Jarwang The returnees were mostly women, children below the age of 15, and elderly. The population was directly affected by the conflict and fled. The village has a primary school. The education material and school furniture has been looted. The building is still intact and has not been burned. The school has one classroom where classes are held from primary 1-5. Other classes are held under the tree, and 6 male teachers returned as well. Location 2: Malou Population is directly affected by the conflict but returnees are very small in number. Only few families with their children below the age of 5 were observed. Three primary schools are in Malou that held a capacity of 800 children. The buildings are not burned but education material has been looted during the conflict One male teacher has returned, and an adult learning center also exists riorities for Humanitarian Response: Re-establishing classes. Provision of materials (school in a box, etc.), particularly in Jarwang where some children have already returned. Liaise with teachers present to determine a proper response plan. 7
Next steps Agreed Initial Response: Malou: Protection and RRC to monitor the situation with possibility of calling for another assessment and /or verification exercise depending on the number of households that return. Jarwang: the following response plan was drawn and approved by the State ICWG for Jarwang. Estimated population: 147 households; actual figure to be determined thru verification & registration Cluster Priority actions Human and material resources required Responsible Entity By when Registration and distribution of 30- personnel, food, road access WFP and JAM 27.02 FSL day half ration Seeds and fishing nets/hooks personnel, seed, fishing nets/hooks PLAN ASAP distribution. NFI Verification & distribution of loose NFIs Personnel, NFIs NFI Cluster 27.02 Monitoring of IDP population Personnel NP ASAP movement in close coordination with local authorities Protection Protection mainstreaming and monitoring with respective agencies in case of an emergency response in the area of NFI/ shelter and FSL Personnel NP ASAP Assessment & rehabilitation of Technical support and spare parts PAH 24.02 WASH existing boreholes Distribution of WASH NFIs: soap, ITN, buckets, PUR & Jerrycans IAS 27.02 Promotion of latrine construction Slabs and technical support PAH ASAP Provision of materials (school in a box, etc.) Education cluster ASAP Education Liaise with teachers present to determine a proper response plan. Re-establishment of PHCU health worker, drugs, vaccines SMoH/ WHO/ UNICEF/ IRC ASAP Health Provision of drugs & supplies to the village Immediate resumption of routine immunization services 8
Assessment information Assessment Teams details: Cluster participant Organization email Gov t James Jok Inter-Cluster Said Moussa OCHA moussas@un.org FSL Yasuyuki WFP yasuyuki.misawa@wfp.org Misawa Bona Mulana JAM Chol Gabriel JAM Biliw Deng Jurkachi JAM Health Jeylani WHO Mohamoud John Kwande IRC john.kwenda@rescue.org WASH Zachayo RRC PAH Makobero Hillary Yakani IAS nasnasjemiya@yahoo.com Protection Marika NP mguderian@nonviolentpeaceforce.org Guderian Education Liz Lok INTERSOS Karolina Grzanka People in Need Karolina.grzanka@peopleinneed.cz Geographical area visited (incl. GPS) County Payam Boma Village Coordinates Remark Long. Lat. Bor South Anyidi Payam Thianwa y Jarwang N 6 10' 11.05" E 31 33' 27.63" 15km east of Bor town Bor South Makuac Malou Malou N 6 13' 44.12" E 31 33' 32.71" 3km north of Bor town Assessment itinerary It was a day mission. The team left base at 9:00am by road assessed the two locations and returned back safely. Type of key informants interviewed The key informants included traditional leaders, male, female, boys and girls. 9