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The Humanitarian Situation in Sudan
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 more than 4.7 million people, including nearly 2.7
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., clashes have displaced more than 315,000
individuals 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 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
16, 2008, U.S. Chargé d’Affaires Alberto M. Fernandez renewed the disaster declaration for the complex emergency in
Sudan for FY 2009. The U.S. Mission in Sudan has declared disasters due to the complex emergency on an annual
basis since 1987.
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Estimated Numbers Affected | Source |
|---|
| Internally Displaced People in Sudan |
From Southern Sudan: 2.7 million
In Darfur: 2.7 million
In Eastern Sudan: 168,000 |
UNHCR (1)- Oct. 2008
OCHA(2) – Oct. 2008
U.N. Sept. 2007 |
| Sudanese Refugees | From Darfur: 250,000
From Southern Sudan: 215,000
Returnees to Southern Sudan: 294,500 |
UNHCR – June 2008
UNHCR - Sept. 2008
UNHCR - Oct. 2008 |
| Refugees in Sudan |
From Eritrea, Ethiopia, Uganda, DRC, and others: 227,664 |
UNHCR – Aug 2008 |
| Humanitarian Funding Provided in FY 2008 | |
| USAID/OFDA(3) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $146,402,096 |
| USAID/FFP(4) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $947,849,000 |
| State/PRM(5) Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $116,512,456 |
| Total USAID and State Humanitarian Assistance to Sudan and Eastern Chad | $1,210,763,552 |
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
Fighting between armed opposition groups and SAF
and allied militias continued throughout November,
despite the November 12 announcement of an
immediate, unconditional ceasefire in Darfur.
Banditry and attacks on humanitarian workers
hampered the provision of relief assistance in Darfur,
and insecurity or intimidation forced at least three nongovernmental
organizations (NGOs) to temporarily
relocate staff.
On November 18, the GNU announced the extension
of the Moratorium on Restrictions until January 31,
2010. The year-long extension enables the
humanitarian community to continue relief operations
in Darfur and facilitates administrative procedures for
aid organizations.
From November 24 to 30, U.N. Under-Secretary
General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency
Relief Coordinator John Holmes traveled to Darfur,
Khartoum, the Three Areas, and Southern Sudan to
assess the humanitarian and security situation. In
Darfur, Holmes met with NGOs, GNU officials, and
IDP representatives to discuss security for relief
workers, civilian protection, and GNU cooperation
with NGOs. Holmes reported deteriorating conditions
in Darfur, citing continuing violence and restricted
access for humanitarian workers, particularly in South
Darfur. In Khartoum, Holmes met with GNU officials
to discuss bureaucratic obstacles to humanitarian
program implementation.
Security and Humanitarian Access
In November, attacks against aid workers, clashes, and
bureaucratic impediments continued to limit
humanitarian access to affected populations in Darfur.
As of November 30, OCHA reported that bandits and
other assailants had killed 11 humanitarian workers,
hijacked 261 vehicles, broken into 172 humanitarian
compounds, and abducted 189 staff since January 1,
2008, up from 225 hijacked vehicles, 144 assaults on
humanitarian compounds, and 170 staff abductions in
early October. According to the U.N. World Food
Program (WFP), insecurity prevented humanitarian
access to more than 272,000 people in Darfur in
October, the highest number of inaccessible people to
date in 2008. In addition, NGOs have relocated 25
times in 2008 due to intimidation of and attacks on
humanitarian staff.
On November 7, armed assailants hijacked seven
WFP-contracted trucks transporting 114 metric tons
(MT) of mixed food commodities from the WFP
logistics hub in El Obeid, Northern Kordofan, toward
Ed Daein, South Darfur. As of November 13, five of
the seven trucks and five WFP-contracted drivers
remained missing. To date in 2008, assailants have
hijacked a total of 110 WFP-contracted trucks, 71 of
which remain missing.
On November 12, Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir
announced an unconditional, immediate ceasefire in all
areas of Darfur. However, the U.N. confirmed SAF
aerial bombardments near a key transport route in
North Darfur from November 15 to 16, as well as
additional aerial attacks on Abu Dangal village, South
Darfur, from November 21 to 22. The U.N. has not
yet confirmed the number of displaced individuals as a
result of the attacks. On November 26, the U.N. called
on the Sudanese government and armed opposition
groups to cease hostilities and requested that the
government honor pledges to implement the November
12 ceasefire.
On December 1, tensions erupted between Arab militia
members and IDP residents in Hissa Hissa IDP camp
in South Darfur. According to the U.N.–African
Union Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), at least 10
armed individuals fired shots at a camp water pump
and set the pump and five generators on fire. The
incident resulted in a clash between IDP residents and
the militia. A UNAMID team deployed to the area to
monitor the situation.
Food Security and Nutrition
Beginning in May, delivery delays due to attacks on
WFP-contracted trucks led to reduced rations for more
than 2.5 million Darfuris. On November 18, WFP
reported plans to continue distributing a reduced food
aid ration throughout Darfur in December. However,
despite continued insecurity, WFP noted that the rate
of food aid dispatches to Darfur has improved
significantly. WFP was able to meet 101 percent of
the dispatch target for November due to the re-opening
of the southern corridor from El Obeid to Nyala via Ed
Daein.
As of November 18, WFP, the U.N. Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), the U.N. Children’s
Fund (UNICEF), and the GNU had completed data
collection for the 2008/2009 Darfur Food Security and
Livelihood Assessment (DFSLA) and the Darfur
Nutrition Assessment (DNA) in 44 out of the 45
targeted locations. Assessment teams were unable to
evaluate food security and nutrition conditions in one
location in North Darfur due to insecurity. Data entry
is ongoing, and the final report is scheduled for release
by the end of January 2009. The findings of the
DFSLA, the DNA, and planned post-harvest
assessments will assist WFP in determining future
food basket composition and ration size.
Health and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
In early October, inter-ethnic fighting near Muhajeria
town, South Darfur, displaced nearly 13,000 people to
areas surrounding Muhajeria and Shearia towns in
Shearia locality, South Darfur. According to the
results of a mid-November OCHA assessment, tension
between Birgit and Zaghawa ethnic groups is
restricting IDP movement, including access to water
sources, near Shearia and Muhajeria towns. Currently,
IDPs rely on UNAMID patrols, which occur three
times per week, to provide security while IDPs collect
water. Based on the assessment, OCHA is
recommending increased UNAMID patrols in the area,
water container distribution to improve household
water storage capacity, and expanded health services.
USAID/OFDA supports water, sanitation, and hygiene
interventions, as well as protection and agriculture and
food security programs, throughout Shearia locality,
South Darfur.
CURRENT SITUATION IN SUDAN,
EXCLUDING DARFUR
In November, humanitarian agencies continued to
respond to the effects of localized flooding in Southern
Sudan and provide assistance to IDPs and refugees in
Western Equatoria State. From November 27 to 28,
U.N. Under-Secretary General for Humanitarian
Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator John
Holmes visited Southern Sudan and the Three Areas.
Holmes pledged continuing U.N. support for recovery
and rehabilitation in Southern Sudan and the Three
Areas and stressed the need to demonstrate peace
dividends by providing basic services.
Floods
In November, USAID and implementing partners
continued to monitor flood-related damage and needs
in Southern Sudan. As of November 24, flooding
continued in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Lakes, Jonglei,
and Upper Nile states, affecting a total of 50,900
individuals, according to OCHA. The seasonal
flooding particularly affected Upper Nile State, where
interagency assessments during the week of October
31 confirmed the need for emergency shelter, relief
commodities, and food assistance. As a result of the
assessment, WFP provided a 30-day food ration to
22,400 individuals in Mabaan County, Upper Nile
State. In addition, humanitarian agencies have
provided relief commodities and emergency shelter
materials to flood-affected residents of Mabaan
County, as well as individuals in Jonglei State.
USAID/OFDA supports the distribution of emergency
relief supplies, as well as health, agriculture and food
security, livelihoods, and water, sanitation, and
hygiene interventions in Northern Bahr el Ghazal,
Jonglei, and Upper Nile states.
Agriculture and Food Security
A USAID-funded Famine Early Warning Network
(FEWS NET) food security update released in
November reported improved Southern Sudan crop
performance in 2008 in comparison to 2007, despite
late flooding. FEWS NET noted that floodwaters are
receding in Mabaan County, Unity State; Okobo
County, Jonglei State; and Aweil County, Northern
Bahr el Ghazal State, raising prospects that improved
fish access will offset flood-induced crop shortfalls.
FEWS NET has identified pockets of food insecurity
in Northern Bahr el Ghazal, Warab, Jonglei, and Upper
Nile states and continues to monitor the situation.
Population Movements
As of November 30, UNHCR had confirmed the
displacement of more than 4,500 refugees from the
Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to Western
Equatoria State in Southern Sudan since late
September. In addition, conflict in Sudan–DRC border
regions has displaced 2,000 Sudanese IDPs to date,
according to OCHA. UNHCR is working with partner
agencies and the Southern Sudan Relief and
Rehabilitation Commission to address urgent food,
medical assistance, and shelter needs of the displaced
populations. On November 27, an interagency
assessment team visited possible relocation sites for
the DRC refugees. Humanitarian agencies plan to
supply the new site with safe drinking water, sanitation
facilities, and health services prior to the relocation.
Health and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene
In November, health workers in Southern Sudan
responded to reported cases of polio, acute watery
diarrhea, and measles. On November 22, the U.N.
World Health Organization (WHO) reported that
health workers had confirmed seven polio cases in
Southern Sudan since January 1, 2008, while 414
reported cases have been confirmed as non-polio
illnesses. Polio is spread through contaminated food
and is often found in areas with inadequate sanitation.
In August and September, the Government of Southern
Sudan Ministry of Health (MOH) conducted a polio
immunization campaign in Southern Sudan to control
the spread of the disease. However, heavy rains and
floods prevented access to all areas. From November
24 to 26, state MOHs and humanitarian partners
supported a series of polio vaccination campaigns
targeting children under five years of age in Jonglei,
Eastern Equatoria, Central Equatoria, Upper Nile, and
Northern Bahr el Ghazal states, according to OCHA.
In Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, health workers have
reported increasing numbers of acute watery diarrhea
cases, with 348 cases and 4 deaths reported during the
week of November 24. To improve water, sanitation,
and hygiene conditions, the International Organization
for Migration (IOM) has procured 5,000 water
purification filters for distribution in affected areas.
According to the U.N. Resident Coordinator’s Office,
health workers have reported increasing incidence of
measles in Longichuk County, Upper Nile State,
leading to a total of 42 deaths. The rise in measles
cases is occurring despite several measles vaccination
campaigns conducted in Longichuk County in 2008.
UNICEF, NGOs, and the Upper Nile State MOH are
discussing potential response options.
Returns
On November 16, the U.N. Mission in Sudan Returns,
Reintegration, and Recovery (UNMIS RRR) Section
reported that the rate of spontaneous returns had
increased throughout Sudan since early November.
With the recent end of the rainy season and the
establishment of the Abyei Area Administration,
UNMIS RRR, UNHCR, and local government officials
are planning for increased returns. UNHCR has
assisted more than 60,000 Sudanese refugees to return
to Sudan in 2008, bringing the total number of
UNHCR-assisted refugee returns to more than
137,000. In the coming months, UNHCR plans to
repatriate more than 6,400 refugees from Ethiopia,
Uganda, Kenya, and Egypt to Upper Nile and Jonglei
states.
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)
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