HUMANITARIAN PROGRESS IN SUDAN, BUT SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGESREMAIN
08 August, 2012
KHARTOUM (sudanow.info.sd)- Relativestability in many parts of Darfur has meant that since January 2011 some 178,000people have been able to return to their areas of origin. To ensure that thesereturns are sustainable, humanitarian actors are working to ensure that basicservices are delivered in areas of return, Mid Year Review (MYR) of the UN and Partners' Sudan Humanitarian Work Plan, released on Wednesday said.
A release issued by the UN in Sudan pointed out to the humanitarian progress in the country, however it stressed that incidents of fighting and new displacement, along with concerns over foodinsecurity following a poor harvest season mean that many challengesin Darfur endure. Primary health care, midwifery training and child vaccinationsremain as critical humanitarian gaps. The UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS), used by almost all humanitarian personnel to access Darfur, is also facingsignificant funding shortfalls.
The release pointed out that on 5August, the Government of Sudan and the SPLM-N signed, separately, theTripartite Memoranda of Understanding with the African Union, the League of ArabStates and the United Nations on humanitarian assistance to war-affectedcivilians in South Kordofan and Blue Nile States.
It showed that conflict in the states of BlueNile and South Kordofan has significantly impacted civilians, with an estimated655,000 people being displaced or severely affected by the fighting. It stressed that reportsreceived by the United Nations suggest that critical humanitarian needs in areascontrolled by Sudan People’s Liberation Movement – North (SPLM-N) forces exist, as these areas have been cut off for many months.
The delivery of food assistance, health and nutritionservices, education services, and water and sanitation all require strengtheningin Blue Nile and South Kordofan States. The full extent of humanitarianrequirements in SPLM-N held areas, however, will only be known after needs canbe assessed.
“I sincerely hope that the signing of the Tripartite Memoranda ofUnderstanding will enable the rapid delivery of aid to all people in need, wherever they may be located,” said the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinatorin SudanMr. Mark Cutts the release indicated.
In addition to the large number of people who have been internallydisplaced or severely affected by the fighting in Blue Nile and South Kordofan, over 200,000 refugees have fled to South Sudan and Ethiopia since June 2011.
The release pointed out to developments in Abyei, on the joint Sudanese south Sudanese border area where the majority of the 109,000 people who were displaced in 2011 haveyet to return, over 9,000 people had returned to areas north of the Bahr el Arab/ Kiir River by the end of June 2012.
"The recent withdrawal of all Sudaneseand South Sudanese forces from the area is seen as a positive development andmay pave the way for a large scale returns following the end of the rainyseason'' the release indicated.
The deadline for people ofSouth Sudanese origin living in Sudan to regularize their status ended on 8April amid uncertainty, as most people of South Sudanese origin remainundocumented. The embassy of South Sudan has now commenced processing emergencyidentification documentation, but a significant backlog still exists. Returns toSouth Sudan during the first half of 2012 were hindered by insecurity in borderareas, but transportation of returnees remains a compelling and critical need.
The UN and humanitarian partners in Sudanare using the Humanitarian Work Plan to strategically respond to the fourmillion people in Sudan who require humanitarian assistance and to monitor theeffectiveness of this response. “Midway through the year, we continue to seepeople in desperate need in Sudan”, said Mr. Cutts. “The UN and partners areworking to ensure that effective emergency aid reaches those who most need itand to help communities build the resilience required to cope with the impact ofconflict and food insecurity. ”
“In 2012, $1.1 billion is required to meet Sudan’s humanitarian needs. So far, we have met43 per cent of this target, but further resources are needed to reach everyonein need,” the Humanitarian Coordinator said. “I thank the humanitarian donorsfor generously contributing to this effort and for their commitment to ensuringan effective and timely humanitarian response in Sudan.”
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