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The Humanitarian Situation in Sudan

Click here for a list of non-profit organizations that currently receive USAID funds and accept contributions to help the Sudanese people.

Background

In 2008, Sudan continues to cope with the effects of conflict, displacement, and insecurity countrywide. Since 2003, a complex emergency in Sudan’s western region of Darfur has affected nearly 4.3 million people, including nearly 2.5 million internally displaced persons (IDPs). In Darfur, fighting among armed opposition factions, the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF), militias, and ethnic groups is ongoing. According to the U.N., the clashes have displaced approximately 210,000 people within Darfur and to eastern Chad since January 2008.

The former Government of Sudan and the southern-based Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) continue to implement the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) through the joint Government of National Unity (GNU). The GNU was formed in 2005, the year the parties signed the CPA and officially ended more than two decades of conflict between the north and the south. During the conflict, famine, fighting, and disease killed more than 2 million people, forced an estimated 600,000 Sudanese to seek refuge in neighboring countries, and displaced 4 million others within Sudan. The U.N. estimates that approximately 2.1 million people displaced during the conflict have returned to Southern Sudan and the Three Areas of Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei since 2005, taxing scarce resources and weak infrastructure. In eastern Sudan, the GNU and the Eastern Front opposition coalition signed the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement in 2006, but the area remains underdeveloped and slow to recover from the decades of conflict.

The U.S. Government (USG) is the largest bilateral donor to Sudan and has contributed more than $3 billion for humanitarian programs in Sudan and eastern Chad since FY 2004. The USG continues to support the implementation of the CPA and joins the international community in seeking a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Darfur. On October 11, 2007, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez renewed the disaster declaration for the complex emergency in Sudan for FY 2008.

1 Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees
2 U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs
3 USAID’s Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance
4 USAID’s Office of Food for Peace
5 U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration

Current Situation in Darfur

In August, heavy rains caused flooding in South Darfur, affecting Kalma, Bielel, Al Salam, and Dereig IDP camps. Clashes in Kalma camp further affected the IDP population and limited humanitarian access to conflict- and flood-affected populations.

Throughout August, insecurity and attacks targeting relief workers continued to cause population displacement and hamper the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Darfur. From August 9 to 12, U.S. Special Envoy to Sudan Richard S. Williamson traveled to Khartoum and Darfur to assess the ongoing conflict in Darfur, the situation in Abyei, and the impact of the application for an arrest warrant by the International Criminal Court for Sudanese President Omar al Bashir. The Special Envoy met with local officials and representatives from the U.N.–African Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), the U.N. Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), opposition groups, and the GNU. Ambassador Williamson reiterated USG support for the full deployment of UNAMID troops to protect IDPs and other vulnerable populations.

Security and Humanitarian Access

In August, attacks against aid workers, insecurity, and bureaucratic impediments continued to hamper humanitarian access to affected populations and caused several non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to suspend programs in Darfur. On August 1, OCHA reported that bandits and armed assailants had hijacked 180 humanitarian vehicles, abducted 145 aid workers, and killed 9 humanitarian staff members since January 1, 2008. From January 1 to August 14, bandits hijacked 97 U.N. World Food Program (WFP) trucks, of which 69 are still missing.

In early August, Médecins Sans Frontières/Spain (MSF/E) temporarily suspended activities and evacuated staff from Tawila and Shangil Tobayi towns in North Darfur following two attacks against MSF/E facilities and staff members in July. On August 27, German Agro Action (GAA) also suspended programs in rural areas of North Darfur following two security incidents in July and August that targeted GAA staff and relief supplies. MSF/E and GAA plan to resume relief activities in the area if local officials and communities guarantee security and access for humanitarian agencies. GAA will continue to provide assistance in and around larger towns and camps. GAA programs support approximately 450,000 individuals in North Darfur, and MSF/E provides medical assistance to approximately 65,000 IDPs and host communities in North Darfur. With USAID support, Relief International implements health and nutrition programs in the Tawila area, and CHF International supports shelter and agriculture programs in Shangil Tobayi.

In August, Kalma IDP camp experienced high levels of insecurity. According to IDP leaders, on July 28, three to five GNU land cruisers with mounted machine guns entered the camp. Sudanese government officials confirmed the raid on Kalma camp and reported that GNU forces seized weapons from IDPs in the camp, a statement that IDP leaders deny. On August 25, fighting erupted in Kalma camp, killing 33 camp residents, including 7 children and 10 women, according to UNAMID. The fighting began after GNU military and police forces attempted to enter the camp to search for suspected weapons and drugs. On August 25, MSF/Holland evacuated 51 wounded individuals from Kalma camp. Aid agencies are concerned that more injured IDPs may still be hiding in the camp. On September 3, UNAMID forces reported that GNU police had withdrawn from the camp but were erecting tents at a new base close to Kalma camp, raising fears among IDPs of new attacks. In response to the insecure situation, UNAMID plans to deploy soldiers and police to Kalma camp on a permanent basis. Aid workers and IDP leaders expressed concern that the GNU raids are part of a strategy to close Kalma camp and split up the IDP population. In October 2007, approximately 30,000 of the 90,000 total IDPs fled Kalma camp after GNU forces entered the camp in response to politically motivated interethnic fighting. In November 2007, IDPs built road blocks to obstruct GNU disarmament campaigns in the camp.

Population Movements

On August 10, OCHA reported that fighting and insecurity have displaced approximately 210,000 people in Darfur since January 1, 2008. According to OCHA, inter-ethnic fighting between the Fallata and Habaniyah ethnic groups in Buram and Tulus localities and Tarjem and Beni-Halba ethnic groups in and around Ed al Fursan, South Darfur, account for the majority of the recent displacement. Sudanese Government aerial bombings throughout Darfur have also caused displacement, including the temporary displacement in July of an estimated 1,300 people from Umu village in Jebel Marra, West Darfur.

Food Security and Nutrition

On July 28, WFP announced an increase in the daily ration for beneficiaries in Darfur from 50 percent to 67 percent of the recommended full ration. In mid-April, WFP cut monthly food rations to beneficiaries in Darfur due to banditry, halving rations of cereals, pulses, and sugar. Due to ongoing insecurity and continued banditry of commercial transporters, WFP will not be able to expand seasonal food aid support to new food-insecure populations. WFP implementing partners have noted problematic indicators and signs of reduced coping mechanisms in affected communities, including increased food prices, decreased amounts of food in markets, and an increase in day laborers trying to earn money to buy food. As a result, WFP is expanding blanket supplementary feeding efforts in North and South Darfur.

According to the U.N., on September 2, GNU police shot and killed one refugee and wounded three others when approximately 1,000 women and youth armed with sticks gathered around an NGO food storage facility in Um Shalaya refugee camp in West Darfur. UNHCR reported that the group was protesting a reduction in food aid from August to September. According to the U.N., the group entered and looted the NGO food storage before GNU police arrived at the camp and fired warning shots into the air. Following the incident, approximately 500 refugees surrounded a U.N. helicopter in Um Shalaya, demanding transport for injured refugees and family to El Geneina for medical treatment. NGO staff in Um Shalaya are concerned about the security of humanitarian workers in the event of further unrest among the estimated 6,600 refugees. WFP has been distributing a reduced cereals ration to more than 2.5 million beneficiaries in Darfur since May. Refugees in Um Shalaya received a full cereals ration until September.

Floods

According to OCHA, heavy rains on August 16 and 17 resulted in floods in Kalma, Bielel, Al Salam, and Dereig IDP camps in South Darfur. The flooding affected an estimated 9,575 households and destroyed more than 7,800 shelters and 3,000 latrines. NGOs identified provision of emergency relief supplies, shelter, and water and sanitation systems as priority needs in the camps, and the lack of a medical facility in Bielel camp as a significant gap in humanitarian assistance. In response to sanitation concerns in Al Salam camp, CARE and Action Contre la Faim (ACF) are conducting hygiene promotion campaigns in the camp, and CARE is providing more than 4,000 water containers to affected populations. In addition, Humedica has distributed blankets, water containers, and plastic sheeting to 851 households requiring emergency relief supplies and 406 newly displaced households. In Dereig camp, the Sudanese Red Crescent Society provided plastic sheeting to nearly 900 flood-affected households.

Health

During the week of August 4, the U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed one case of polio in a child in El Geneina, West Darfur. According to WHO and field reports, the child had visited Chad in July and may have contracted the disease before returning to Sudan. In October 2007, NGOs reported five polio cases in eastern Chad near the border with Darfur. On August 25, the U.N. Children’s Fund (UNICEF), WHO, the West Darfur Ministry of Health (MOH), and NGO partners began a national polio immunization campaign in West Darfur.

On August 13, WHO reported increased cases of acute jaundice syndrome (AJS) in Kalma and Al Salam camps. From August 2 to August 8, health officials reported 30 new cases in Kalma camp and 21 in Al Salam, bringing the total number of AJS cases in South Darfur to 67, compared with 52 during the previous week. According to USAID field staff, although AJS case numbers are not yet at critical levels, continued increases would be cause for concern. The increase in AJS cases may be fueled by unclean water and overcrowded conditions in camps.

Since May, implementing partners have reported that the GNU Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and Sudanese government officials have repeatedly denied requests for permits to transport fuel for motorpumped wells into the camps. Due to recent flooding, humanitarian agencies indicated that hand-pumped wells in parts of Al Salam camp may be contaminated, while motor-pumped wells may still be useable. According to OCHA, on August 18, the HAC agreed to allow a continuous flow of fuel into the camp so that NGOs could operate motor-pumped wells. On August 20, USAID partner CARE reported that the HAC approved two of the three barrels of fuel the NGO requested, representing an 80 percent approval rate compared to a 65 percent approval rate in early August.

CURRENT SITUATION IN SUDAN, EXCLUDING DARFUR

In Southern Sudan, eastern Sudan, and the Three Areas humanitarian organizations continue to provide assistance to returnees, IDPs, and host communities. In August, heavy rains cased floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Blue Nile, Khartoum, Northern Kordofan, and Gedaref states. On August 18 and 19, USAID field staff conducted a food security assessment in Lagawa locality, Southern Kordofan State.

Floods

On August 16, OCHA reported that rains displaced nearly 39,000 individuals in Aweil town, Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, and 1,500 people in Warab State. According to the Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC), the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Government has resettled more than 22,000 individuals from flood-affected areas in Aweil to Maper Akot Aru village, 5 km from Aweil town. Smaller numbers of flood-affected individuals have settled in Malou Awer, Sika Hadiid, Hai Salam, Hai Toich, and Naivasha villages.

On August 1, SSRRC, U.N. agencies, and NGOs conducted an assessment of Maper Akot Aru, Naivasha, and Sika Hadiid. According to the assessment team, the displaced population in Maper Akot Aru is at a high risk of disease, as the area where the displaced are camping lacks safe drinking water and latrines. The team also identified plastic sheeting as an urgent need due to the limited supply of roofing materials. In response, humanitarian agencies are providing relief commodities and health services to the displaced, and the Northern Bahr el Ghazal State Government is distributing grain. To increase access to safe drinking water and prevent the spread of waterborne diseases, Medair and UNICEF drilled three boreholes in Maper Akot and Mayen Akot and constructed 100 latrines in Wathok, Maper Akot, and Mayen Akot.

On August 23, U.N. agencies and NGOs reported that heavy rains caused floods in Gedaref, Northern Kordofan, and Khartoum states. To date, seasonal floods have displaced more than 1,000 households in Gedaref State, damaged 400 shelters in Northern Kordofan State, and killed 6 people and affected more than 240 households in Khartoum State. According to the U.N. Resident Coordinator’s Office, floods in Blue Nile State also destroyed 756 houses. In Gedaref State, WHO reported three new suspected cases of acute watery diarrhea, bringing the total to 116 cases and 3 deaths since June. As of August 23, health organizations had not reported any flood-related disease outbreaks in other flood-affected areas. In response to the floods, the GNU Office of Water and Environmental Sanitation distributed 390 pieces of plastic sheeting, 90 cartons of soap, and 400 water containers in Blue Nile State. In Gedaref State, SSRRC is working with the Gedaref State MOH and UNICEF to monitor water sources and supply chlorine tablets.

Population Movements

According to the UNMIS Returns, Reintegration, and Recovery Section (UNMIS RRR), small numbers of Abyei IDPs are temporarily returning to Abyei town, despite heavy rains. On August 20, UNMIS observed approximately 3,000 individuals in Abyei town, composed mostly of former residents who return during daylight hours and retreat to villages in the south at night. According to OCHA, heavy rains and bad road connections to the north and south have limited the number of returns. Previously, OCHA reported that U.N. agencies, the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and UNMIS RRR had planned for voluntary returns of approximately 21,000 Abyei IDPs during the rainy season. The road from Agok to Abyei requires significant repairs before returns can proceed in October or November, following the rainy season. Early projections from relief agencies indicate that 50 percent of the estimated 50,000 Abyei IDPs plan to return to places of origin during the dry season. On August 8, the NCP and the SPLM agreed on an interim administration for the Abyei region, one of the conditions outlined in the Abyei road map agreement for returns.

Health

On August 10, WHO reported a cholera outbreak in Nassir County in Upper Nile State. Medical staff recorded 1 death and 63 cases of cholera between July 14 and July 20. In addition, on August 28, a Northern Bahr el Ghazal State MOH representative reported that health officials have recorded 224 cholera cases and 4 deaths in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State since August 2. The suspected cholera outbreak has affected Aweil West, North, East, Center, and South counties, with the most significant number of cholera cases in Aweil town. According to the MOH, increasing numbers of cholera cases in Aweil town and the Peth Lou area in Aweil East may be a result of poor sanitary and hygiene conditions in areas where large numbers of people settled following the mid-August floods in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State. MSF has provided emergency hygiene supplies, and IRC is working to construct 73 household latrines in Aweil town to prevent the spread of water-borne diseases in the area. In 2006, a cholera outbreak in Southern Sudan killed 700 people and affected approximately 25,000 others.

On August 25, USAID partner Christian Mission Aid (CMA) reported 132 suspected measles cases, including 32 deaths, in Longechuk County, Upper Nile State. According to the Upper Nile State MOH, lack of paved roads and an airstrip in Longechuk has hindered MOH access to the area. USAID field staff are in contact with NGO partners and are monitoring the situation closely. CMA is working with other agencies to control the outbreak.

In August, U.N. agencies and implementing partners reported increased cases of malaria in Southern Sudan. On August 16, OCHA reported that the number of malaria cases in Unity and Upper Nile states had increased significantly compared to similar periods in previous years. During the week of August 19, medical staff at the Akuem health center in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal area reported more than 100 malaria cases per day. Humanitarian agencies report that the number of malaria cases in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State is significant and is primarily affecting children under five years of age. In July, USAID partner Tearfund treated more than 700 patients for malaria, of which 231 were women and 196 were children under five years of age. In response to malaria concerns in Aweil, WHO and the State MOH provided 96,000 units of waterguard tablets and emergency drug kits to populations in Aweil.

Food Security and Nutrition

According to an August 8 USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWS NET) Southern Sudan Food Security Update, northern parts of the western and the eastern flood plains remain highly food insecure due to the effects of the 2007 floods, insecurity, and market isolation. FEWS NET projects that populations will remain food-insecure until October, when harvests typically commence. While heavy rains have caused flooding in Northern Bahr el Ghazal and Warab states, below average rains in the northern and eastern parts of Southern Sudan may negatively affect crop production. According to the Nassir County Commissioner, most of eastern Upper Nile State is likely to face increased hunger because insufficient rainfall has caused failure of staple crops.

From August 8 to 10, a WFP, World Vision, and SSRRC team conducted an assessment in Gogrial East County, Warab State, to monitor the food security of Gogrial IDPs and host communities in Liethnom and found that IDPs and host communities in Liethnom are highly food-insecure. The team estimates that 200 families, composed of mainly women and children, are seeking refuge in Liethnom market. On August 16, OCHA reported that an estimated 51,000 children under five years of age are malnourished in Gogrial East County. World Vision, WFP, ACF, and SSRRC plan to screen children for possible enrollment in a supplementary feeding program. In response to food security concerns, WFP plans to airlift 527 MT of food assistance to Gogrial that will support 30,000 individuals for one month. On August 21, WFP completed the first airlift of food assistance to Gogrial.

On August 18 and 19, USAID field staff conducted an assessment of food insecurity in Lagawa locality, Southern Kordofan State. In July, USAID partners reported food shortages in the Abu-Junuk and Sunut areas of Lagawa, including 12 villages around Sunut and six villages in Abu-Junuk. According to USAID staff, prices of all grains, including millet, sorghum, and wheat, are currently 200 percent higher than 2007 levels. In late July, the HAC, SSRRC, local government officials, and NGOs conducted an initial interagency assessment in 12 villages in Lagawa. According to the assessment, high grain prices, a lack of safe water sources, and poor health services are contributing to declining food security. In response to rising prices of food prices, the GNU Strategic Reserve released 1,000 MT of sorghum, which agencies hope will bring down the high price of sorghum.

USAID reconstruction programs support the establishment of a foundation for a just and durable peace with the broad participation of the Sudanese people. Activities focus on supporting the peace process, democracy and governance, education, health, and economic growth.

USAID humanitarian programs work to meet immediate needs while simultaneously transitioning to longer-term reconstruction and development activities in areas outside of Darfur. Priorities include assisting individuals displaced by conflict, providing basic services in traditionally underserved areas, and improving food security through increased agricultural production.

USAID food assistance accounted for over 80 percent of the commitments to the UN World Food Program in 2005, and supports ongoing programs with the Red Cross and other nongovernmental organizations. As the leading donor of food assistance to Sudan, USAID targets food aid commodities to the most vulnerable, with particular emphasis on women and children.

USAID Sudan Strategy Statement (pdf,469kb)

USAID Monthly Update - November 2007 (pdf,505kb)