U.S. AGENCY FOR INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPMENT BUREAU FOR HUMANITARIAN RESPONSE (BHR) OFFICE OF U.S. FOREIGN DISASTER ASSISTANCE (OFDA) SUDAN - Civil Strife/Displaced Persons Situation Report #3, Fiscal Year (FY) 1996 -- June 10, 1996 Note: The last situation report was dated February 20, 1996. Background Fighting began in 1983 between the Government of Sudan (GOS) and the Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) when the southern-based rebels demanded more influence in the government and protested the GOS efforts to "Islamize" the Christian and animist south. In 1991, the SPLA split into factions, and intensified fighting between the SPLA factions erupted in areas of the south. The conflict continues today and civilians throughout the south and the transitional zone (the area of southern Darfur, southern Kordofan, northern Bahr el Ghazal, and the northern Upper Nile States) are directly affected by aerial bombings by the GOS and forced relocations due to fighting. Ongoing insecurity and population displacement in the south and the transitional zone have not only interrupted or destroyed most of the indigenous trading and productive systems, but have also been a major impediment to relief efforts. Also, an estimated 300,000 southerners remain in displaced camps outside Khartoum. The United Nations (U.N.) and numerous international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within and outside the framework of Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) are delivering relief assistance by airlifts, airdrops, barges, trains, and truck convoys. In more secure areas of southern Sudan, efforts to rehabilitate and restore self-sufficiency have begun. Numbers Affected According to U.N. assessments carried out in late 1995, an estimated 4.25 million war-affected Sudanese will require some form of relief assistance, including 3.6 million in southern Sudan, 350,000 in the transitional zone, and 300,000 in camps outside Khartoum, in 1996. In addition, Sudanese continue to flee from southern Sudan because of insecurity and civil strife. Currently, there are an estimated 556,000 Sudanese refugees in neighboring countries: 27,500 in the Central African Republic; 215,000 in Uganda; 60,000 in Ethiopia; 60,000 in Zaire; and 45,000 in Kenya. Thousands of Sudanese nationals are returning from Libya following Libya's decision to expel all foreigners without work permits. According to the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), Sudan is currently hosting an estimated 600,000 refugees, including 404,508 Eritreans and 62,000 Ethiopians. UNHCR expects to repatriate 100,000 Eritreans between September 1995 and August 1996, provided that agreement on modalities can be reached with the governments of Sudan and Eritrea. Repatriation of Ethiopian refugees from camps in Sudan is almost completed, and UNHCR has begun the repatriation of Ethiopians who live outside the camps in Sudan. Total USAID Assistance for Fiscal Year 1996 (to date). . . . . .$18,339,444 Current Situation GOS-imposed restrictions on U.N. and NGO relief flights and operations have continued over the past months. On April 1, the GOS banned all scheduled OLS flights into Sudan. Although relief flights from Lokichokio were approved the next day, flights into southern Sudan were effectively suspended for two days by the GOS. Most areas in Upper Nile and northern Bahr el Ghazal are now inaccessible, and all non-government areas in the Nuba mountains remain inaccessible. Flights into 15 locations in the south are banned as of late May and the GOS continues to restrict the use of C-130 aircraft, the principal aircraft used to deliver relief supplies from Lokichokio to southern Sudan. Three Buffalo aircraft, including two new aircraft recently contracted by the European Union (EU) and UNICEF, are currently servicing southern Sudan. NGOs in Sudan are also very concerned about a series of recent unprovoked bombings of airstrips that have occurred while NGO aircraft and personnel and civilians were on the ground. On May 11, GOS planes dropped several bombs near a clearly-marked International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) plane upon its arrival in Nomakon. Although the bombing took place near NGO staff members and civilians, no one was seriously injured during the attack. GOS planes also dropped bombs near U.N. personnel and an ICRC aircraft carrying out a humanitarian mission in south Sudan in two separate incidents in late February. No one sustained serious injuries during either attack. In all instances, the aircraft had prior GOS clearance to land. ICRC and the U.N. each have delivered a verbal note to the GOS regarding the bombings. Political/Military Situation Almost seven years after leading a coup that overthrew the democratically-elected government led by Umma Party leader Sadiq el-Mahdi, Omar Hassan al-Bashir won the presidential race by a sweeping majority in April. The Sudanese parliament also elected National Islamic Front leader Hassan al-Turabi as Speaker. Mahdi and his party boycotted the elections, citing GOS-imposed regulations against free campaigning. In late March, SPLA forces captured Pochalla and Khor Yabus towns in southeastern Sudan. A week later, fierce battles erupted between SPLA and GOS troops attempting to recapture Pochalla in Upper Nile province. At least 860 civilians were reportedly killed during the fighting near the Ethiopian border. The GOS has accused the Ethiopian government of militarily supporting the renewed SPLA offensive. On April 10, a month after establishing a cease-fire, the GOS, South Sudan Independence Movement (SSIM) faction leader Riek Machar, and Kerubino Kwanyin Bol signed a political agreement in Khartoum. The charter lays out several principles on which a peaceful and political solution to the conflict in southern Sudan will be based. These principles include the incorporation of both religious "sharia" and custom as sources of legislation, and, following the establishment of peace, allow southerners to conduct a referendum in the south to determine their political aspirations. Northern opposition groups and the SPLA have criticized the agreement. In late April, leaders of the SPLA/M and a splinter group of the SSIM faction headed by John Luk also reportedly signed a political and military unification agreement in Nairobi, a year after a preliminary pact was signed between these groups. In late April, Sudanese newspapers in Khartoum reported that SPLA/M leader John Garang had been assassinated by one of his aides. The reports were later determined to be inaccurate. In late January, former SSIM Commander William Nyuon was also reportedly assassinated by a SSIM faction. Nyuon's branch of the SSIM had rejoined the SPLA last year after defecting in 1991. A SPLM conference on Civil Society and the Organization of Civil Authority in the New Sudan was held in New Cush from April 29 to May 4. Several U.N./NGO representatives and Sudanese representatives of civil organizations and community-based organizations participated in open and frank discussions on past human rights abuses by the SPLA and problems between the SRRA and SPLM during the meeting, as well as in discussions on the structure of civil administration. Effective May 10, the U.N. Security Council (UNSC) imposed diplomatic and travel sanctions on Sudan. The sanction calls on all nations to reduce the size and level of staff in Sudan and restricts visits by GOS officials or soldiers. It also urges international organizations not to hold any conferences in Sudan. This sanction follows a UNSC resolution passed on January 31 which called on the GOS to extradite three men allegedly involved in the attempt to assassinate Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak in Addis Ababa last June. The GOS has protested both decisions and maintains that the involved parties are no longer inside its territories. The U.S. Government recently expelled a Sudanese U.N. official suspected of involvement in espionage and terrorism and, in compliance with the newly-approved UNSC resolution, has expelled the Sudanese embassy's information counselor. Since the U.S. Government withdrew its diplomatic staff in Sudan in February due to concerns about their safety, the current U.S. embassy to Sudan is located in Nairobi. U.S. Ambassador to Sudan Timothy Carney and his staff continue to maintain contact with Khartoum through periodic field visits. Relief Efforts The U.N. $107.6 million consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for Emergency Humanitarian Assistance to the Sudan was launched on February 7. The appeal reflects the requirements of six U.N. agencies and programs to implement projects in seven main areas. Priority activities that will be supported include emergency food aid, agriculture, livestock and fishery, and distribution of emergency food and medical supplies. In 1995, the United Nations consolidated Inter-Agency Appeal for the Sudan called for $101 million, of which $50.6 million (50.1%) were reportedly received. The 1996 appeal puts more emphasis on capacity building, particularly for national NGOs, and on conflict resolution. Four U.N. World Food Program (WFP) assessments were conducted in the month of April in Jonglei/Upper Nile and Eastern Equatoria. Accounting for WFP and NGO carry-over stocks, total WFP food needs for 1996 are estimated at 27,000 MT, including 13,000 MT for the north. WFP food deliveries to southern Sudan and the transitional zone are expected to reach 61,000 MT. Food deliveries remain hindered by the GOS's refusal to allow C-130 aircraft to operate in Sudan from Lokichokio. Following disturbing security incidents in early 1996 in which WFP workers were caught in the midst of interfactional fighting around Mayen Abun, Akok, and Motot, WFP temporarily withdrew its staff in southern Sudan in mid-March. WFP management staff subsequently met with SSIM and SPLA officials, and WFP activities resumed within a week. The preliminary findings of the OLS review team were presented in Khartoum and Nairobi in late April. The team's final report, which is due out in June, will contain definite recommendations on issues such as OLS's mandate, the nature of access agreements, and the annual needs assessment. In early June, Medecins sans Frontieres/Belgium (MSF/B) reported that a cholera epidemic had killed at least 700 people in southern Sudan in the last seven weeks. It reported 360 deaths alone in Adok district in Upper Jonglei Region, out of a total of over 1,800 reported cholera cases. More than 70 cases of meningitis were also reported in Sudan during January-February, the usual peak of incidence in the south. The U.N. World Health Organization (WHO) is currently supporting polio and meningitis vaccination programs in the country. In early March, the Carter Center's Global 2000 program, in collaboration with the GOS Ministry of Health, held the second Guinea Worm Eradication review meeting in Sudan. Reports presented during the meeting indicate that the number of cases in government-held and endemic areas has increased from 57,000 to 64,119. This increase is probably more a result of better reporting than higher incidence. Sudan has the highest prevalence of the guinea worm in the world. UNHCR's efforts to repatriate Ethiopian refugees in Sudan resumed in late May after a three-month delay caused by funding constraints. Approximately 27,000 Ethiopian refugees will be moved from camps by June. Reports of harassment of Ethiopian refugees have ceased and the majority of refugee detainees have been released. Despite the lack of funds, UNHCR has escalated the repatriation of Eritrean refugees due to continued harassment of the refugees by GOS officials. UNHCR is currently conducting a census of refugees in Sudan and looking for ways to improve procedures in returnee reintegration grants. Pierce Gerety replaced Philip O'Brien as the new head of OLS/Southern Sector effective March 31. Most recently, Mr. Gerety worked as UNICEF's representative to Somalia. Between March 19-27, a delegation of senior USAID officials led by USAID's Chief of Staff Richard McCall visited relief operation sites in southern Sudan. Prior to the delegation's visit, a joint BHR/OFDA, BHR/Office of Food for Peace (FFP), and Regional Economic Development Services Offices' (REDSO)/Sudan Field Office (SFO) team conducted a two-week long review of projects in Western and Eastern Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes regions and also met with NGO, U.N., and other donor representatives, as well as representatives of the SSIM and SPLM factions. Plans to conduct a similar review in the north were temporarily delayed. >From April 20-22, U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney made his first visit to rebel-held areas in south Sudan and inspected relief operation sites in Tambura and Yambio in Western Equatoria. Situation by Region The South Equatoria In March/April, both Norwegian People's Aid (NPA) and World Vision Relief and Development (WVRD) moved grain procured from local farmers in Western Equatoria to Lakes district. At least 200 MT of surplus maize were moved from barter shops in Yambio to Akot, and an additional 200 MT to Tonj county. A U.N./GOS assessment of displaced people in Kajo Keji and Yei was completed in mid-March. Kajo Keji is hosting over a 1,000 DPs, while Yei holds an estimated 5,000. According to the assessment, overall health and nutrition status of the displaced population is favorable. In late March, Catholic Relief Services (CRS) conducted a residential tukul count in New Cush in order to extrapolate the total number of residents in displaced camps. The count suggested a new population figure of 4,800 for the camps, a significant drop from the previous figure of 10,900. Due to the success of the New Cush counting method, CRS planned to carry out similar counts in Labone in mid-May and Mogali in mid-June. On April 2, two Christian Mission Aid staff members temporarily trapped without supplies in Boma were airlifted to Lokichokio following GOS approval of a special flight clearance request. Roads to Nimule are insecure. The road from Juba to Torit also remains dangerous and flights from and to Juba continue to be restricted. Ikotos in Eastern Equatoria was bombed by the GOS on March 30, resulting in no injuries. A SPLA lead vehicle of a SCF/UK convoy travelling from Kapoeta hit a land mine in March. No official word on the number of casualties is available. In early April, another SCF barge convoy heading for Panyagor was forced to stop in Chukudum and returned to Nairobi due to increased military activity in the area. Upper Nile Interfactional fighting continues to plague the northern part of Jonglei area. In April, the SSIM faction led by John Luk announced that it controls most of northern Upper Jonglei, while the GOS claims that the strategic town of Nasir and the Sobat river corridor from Malakal to Nasir, is under government control. A WFP barge convoy was recently held up in Malakal by a disabled military convoy. Despite the ongoing insecurity, ICRC recently distributed seeds and tools and fishing equipment to displaced populations in Maiwut. WFP is also channeling food deliveries to Akobo through Nyandit. Due to increased factional fighting and GOS restrictions on flights to areas in northern Jonglei area, however, OLS has reduced its activity in the towns of Akobo and Waat. On April 15, 11 staff members of the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were evacuated from Ganyiel due to reported insecurity in the area. This represents the twelfth evacuation of all relief staff from an area in Sudan since the beginning of this year. The IRC staff members returned to Ganyiel on April 30 after the area was declared safe by a U.N. security mission. Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes Relief operations have also been adversely affected by rising insecurity and GOS flight restrictions in this area. Military movements in the Tonj area caused both WVRD and Sudan Production Aid (SUPRAID) to temporarily withdraw staff in early April, but they returned shortly afterwards. On April 10, five Terra Firma employees, two expatriates and three Sudanese, were wounded when their vehicle hit a land mine near Tonj. On April 17, an Action Contre la Faim (ACF) assessment team was forced to retreat to Akok while traveling by road from Turalei due to increased military activity around Aweng. Increased GOS activity had forced a previous ACF team to evacuate from Turalei at the end of February. Flights to Mayen Abun and Lietnhom are permitted only from the north. In mid-March, cattle raids resulted in 40 fatalities and the destruction of four villages in Gogrial. A recently completed report on the series of cattle raids and attacks in Tonj and Yirol counties has concluded that in the course of six attacks, 90 civilians were killed, 45 seriously wounded, and 33 abducted. WFP is planning to deliver relief food to approximately 7,000-8,000 DPs in Gogrial. Transition Zone South Kordofan According to UNICEF, over 2,600 displaced persons arrived in Dilling and Talodi in March, following an escalation in military activities in the area. UNICEF is expected to participate in another joint U.N./NGO/GOS assessment of returnee populations in Kadugli, Rashad, and Dilling provinces in the near future. In mid-April, GOS forces reportedly attacked, looted, and burnt two villages in southern Kordofan. An estimated 1,000 families allegedly were left homeless and many victims of the attack lost crops and personal property. In late April, a team from the NGO Christian Solidarity International visited the Moro area of the Nuba mountains that had reportedly been destroyed by GOS raids in late March. According to the team's preliminary report, continued GOS restrictions on NGO access to SPLA-administered areas in the Nuba mountains have severely affected the civilian population. Assistance Provided by the U.S. Government On October 1, 1994, U.S. Ambassador Donald Petterson renewed the civil strife/displaced persons disaster in Sudan, determining that USG relief assistance would be needed for FY 1995. Total USG relief assistance in FY 1995 amounted to $57,677,797. Stating that over 1.2 million people in Sudan will remain in need of emergency assistance in FY 1996, U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney renewed the disaster declaration for Sudan on October 12, 1995. The USG's humanitarian response to the disaster in Sudan is provided through BHR/OFDA, BHR/FFP, and the State Department's Bureau for Population, Refugee, and Migration (PRM). On January 31, the United States announced that it was suspending its diplomatic presence in Khartoum, due to concerns for the safety of American Embassy personnel in Sudan. Subsequently, U.S. Ambassador Timothy Carney established a temporary office in Nairobi to maintain regular diplomatic communications with the GOS. He and his staff visit Sudan periodically. Both BHR/OFDA and BHR/FFP staff in Washington work with remaining USAID/Sudan Foreign Service National staff in Khartoum to provide ongoing monitoring of relief programs in GOS-controlled areas. Continued relief activities in southern Sudan are also monitored by the REDSO/SFO. (BHR/OFDA supports a program officer currently based in Nairobi as part of the SFO). The BHR/OFDA Emergency Disaster Relief Coordinator, responsible for monitoring activities in GOS-controlled areas, left Khartoum on February 6, along with other U.S. official personnel. Summary of USG Assistance FY 1996 (to date) BHR/OFDA Assistance In FY 1996, BHR/OFDA has provided funds to support the following ongoing activities in Sudan: Program Support (e.g., personnel, equipment, etc.) -- $243,508 Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) health programs in Chukudum and Kapoeta -- $497,869 ACF health care program in Juba -- $838,662 ACF emergency water, sanitation, and health in Eastern Equatoria and Bahr el Ghazal -- $251,256 American Refugee Committee Emergency health program in Kajo Keji -- $378,398 CARE emergency recovery program in Tambura -- $497,594 International Medical Corps medical services in Tambura County -- $299,303 IRC health, water, and sanitation program in Upper Nile and Bahr el Ghazal -- $945,289 MSF/B emergency medical and nutrition program in Western Equatoria -- $379,560 Norwegian People's Aid (NPA)/Sudan food relief and agriculture rehabilitation program in southern Sudan -- $2,201,301 U.N. DHA assessment of OLS activities in entire OLS area -- $150,000 U.N. WFP program operation support in northern Sudan -- $350,000 WVRD/Sudan Production Aid food security project in Tonj County and Bahr el Ghazal -- $155,304 BHR/OFDA Assistance FY 96 (to date) . . . . . . . . . .$7,188,044 The following BHR/OFDA activities were funded previously but remain active in FY 1996 (to date): ADRA feeding program in Khartoum displaced camps CRS food security projects and food distribution in Eastern Equatoria CRS local relief and rehabilitation initiatives in Eastern/Western Equatoria IRC health, nutrition, and sanitation interventions for displaced in Khartoum WFP food monitoring activities in southern Sudan BHR/FFP Assistance Currently, BHR/FFP is implementing CRS and WFP activities in food security and distribution that were funded in FY 1995. In FY 1996, BHR/FFP has also contributed 17,320 MT of P.L.480 Title II emergency food to Sudan, including 14,560 MT valued at $9,076,300 to ADRA and 2,760 MT valued at $2,075,100 to NPA -- $11,151,400 BHR/FFP Assistance FY 96 (to date) . . . . . . . . . $11,151,400 State/PRM Assistance In FY 1996, PRM contributed $32.9 million to UNHCR's 1996 General Program for Africa. PRM also contributed $41.7 million to ICRC's Africa Appeal and $13 million to International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies' (IFRC) 1996 appeal for programs in Africa. A portion of these contributions was used for Sudan and Sudanese refugees. Total BHR/OFDA Assistance. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $7,188,044 Total BHR/FFP Assistance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .$11,151,400 Total USAID Assistance FY 96 (to date) . . . . . . . $18,339,444