HIGHLIGHTS

• The situation in parts of Darfur and Kordofan regions remains volatile, with an increase in violence since October and instances of localised conflict between nomads and farmers.

• Thousands of people remain displaced in Darfur and Kordofan and need humanitarian assistance.

• Humanitarian partners are working to undertake humanitarian assessments and provide timely response once security allows.

• Limited humanitarian presence and resources have affected the delivery of humanitarian aid in Yassin locality, East Darfur.

• In East Darfur, 1,572 farms along migratory routes have been destroyed due to conflict between farmers and pastoralists.

• The Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) will support gaps in health, nutrition and WASH activities in Abu Jubayhah, South Kordofan State.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

Localised conflict between nomads and farmers has increased since October 2021. These disputes and conflicts exacerbate seasonal inter-communal conflict over access to and use of natural resources. The violence has led to the displacement of thousands of people, and internally displaced persons (IDPs) being subject to secondary displacement.

Humanitarian organisations are collating available information to understand the number of people displaced and in need of humanitarian assistance. Insecurity in some affected areas, limited partner capacity on the ground are affecting these efforts.

DARFUR

Localized conflict incidents have been reported in Central, East, North, South and West Darfur states over the past few weeks. The priority needs of the displaced people include protection, shelter and non-food items (S/NFIs), and food assistance. Most of the affected people are yet to receive support either due to continuing insecurity or due to limited humanitarian presence and resources in some parts of the region.

Central Darfur

Sub-national conflict in Azum locality

People who fled their homes in Um Shalaya village (about 15 km south of Azum locality) earlier this month are not able to return to their homes as the security situation remains fluid, with random shootings at night; farm destruction; and fears of attack and robbery.

Raising tensions in Hamidiya IDP camp

On 18 December, unidentified armed people attacked a meeting in Hameedia IDP camp where the sheikh (traditional leader) of the camp and a team from the previous Wali’s office (governor) were discussing the IDPs representation. No major causalities were reported. The situation has calmed down, but the issue of who represents the IDPs has not been resolved.

Pending needs assessment in Bendasi Locality due to security concerns: Following the conflict on 10 December in Bendasi locality, humanitarian partners were planning to carry out a needs assessment in 10 villages affected by the conflict. However, the planned assessment was delayed due to security concerns. Partners are monitoring the situation and once the security situation allows, needs assessment will be conducted. It is estimated that 11,000 people fled to Wadi Saleh and Bendasi town and some crossed the border to Chad.

East Darfur

Lack of humanitarian assistance in Labado and Yassin villages, Yassin locality

Recent monitoring missions to Yassin locality revealed that the locality lacks basic services, with an urgent need for health, WASH, nutrition, and protection services. In addition, limited humanitarian presence and resources have affected the delivery of humanitarian assistance in the area.

North Darfur

Insecurity continues in areas around Zamzam IDP camp

On 18 December, the joint forces that were deployed to the Zamzam IDP camp to provide protection and security relocated to El Fasher town as the situation is currently calm in the camp. However, IDPs do not feel safe to access farms or collect firewood and fodder outside the camp due to the presence of armed nomads on motorbikes and camels in the area. On 19 December, a group of pastoralists reportedly stole goats from Dibaneyra village (about 6 km northwest of Zamzam IDP camp) and from Abu Zerega village (15 km south of Zamzam IDP camp). Tensions between nomads and IDPs of Zamzam camp escalated on 6 December when a group of pastoralists was attacked at Hashaba village (about 20km southwest of El Fasher town) by an unknown armed group, resulting in four deaths and three injuries.

South Darfur

Over 3,100 displaced people return to their homes in Manawashi area, Mershing locality

On 12 December, HAC in South Darfur reported that 3,134 people (656 families) who were displaced from Amar Jadeed and surrounding villages to Manawashi IDP camp returned to their homes. They fled their homes after armed pastoralists attacked the village in early December, killing three farmers. The attack came after a livestock herder was killed by farmers in the north Manawashi town in late November.

Temporary displacement from Beliel locality to Otash IDP camp

On 7 December, IOM reported the temporary displacement of more than 250 people (50 families) to Otash IDP camp due to conflict between farmers and nomads in Mowe village of Beliel locality. Reports indicate that three farmers were injured, 14 donkeys and personal belongings were looted, and several farms were destroyed. According to HAC, this conflict has now been resolved, and the IDPs who were temporarily displaced in the Otash camp will return to their home areas.

West Darfur

About 5,000 people displaced due to fighting in Kereneik locality

Following the attacks between 9 and 11 December in Juruf, Moku, and Kirkir villages in the northern and north-eastern parts of Kereneik locality, about 5,000 people were displaced from 20 villages. According to some community leaders from Juruf village, the displaced people have started to return to their villages. IDPs are concerned about the presence and composition of protection forces in Kereneik town, as some forces are reportedly aligned with the perpetrators.

On 14 December, a team from Federal and State HAC visited Kereneik town. According to HAC officials, the displaced and affected people need food, shelter, water, and non-food items (NFIs) assistance. The IDPs are living out in the open, with no shelter and blankets to protect them from the cold weather and they have lost their possessions due to the looting and burning of their homes. An inter-agency assessment is being planned to verify the number of people affected and assess their needs.

Situation in Jebel Moon remains the same despite the agreement reached between community leaders

On 13 December, community leaders of Misseriya Jebel and Arab tribes who recently signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in Ag Geneina travelled to Jebel Moon locality to communicate peace messages. The situation in Jebel Moon remains tense and unpredictable, with no reports of IDP returns. Nomads in Jebel Moon still do not have access to services in Selea due to insecurity in the area and humanitarians in the area will take this into consideration when they respond to the needs of people affected in Jebel Moon. According to some reports, the road to Sirba and Jebel Moon has opened in the past week with a flow of commercial trucks and vehicles.

A community initiative named “Stand for Jebel Moon” provided food, and NFIs for 500 families affected by the conflict between 4 and 15 December. The initiative is made up of national NGOs, community-based organizations (CBOs), women groups, youth groups, and community leaders representing IDPs in Ag Geneina and the host community.

Krinding IDPs still fear returning to camps

HAC reported that the majority of IDPs who had returned to Krinding IDP camp over the past two months from gathering sites in Ag Geneina town started to return to the gathering sites due to fears of possible attacks following the security incidents in Kereneik town. In early December, IOM and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) on behalf of Site Management working group had verified that about 3,000 people (598 households) had returned to Krinding camps from gathering sites in Ag Geneina. HAC reported about 1,300 people (263 households) are currently in the camp, while IDP leaders said about 3,200 people (645 households) had returned to the camps and need to be verified.

KORDOFANS

Thousands of people have been displaced recently due conflict in South Kordofan. Priority needs of the displaced people are NFIs, food, and access to health and WASH services. Most of the affected have yet to receive humanitarian assistance either due to ongoing conflict or pending humanitarian assessments to determine needs, once the security situation allows In Abu Jubayhah locality, humanitarian organizations resumed their operations following a suspension of activities between 30 November and 6 December.

South Kordofan

Situation deteriorates in Dalami, triggering displacement

On 10 December, around 2,000 people from Kadbar were displaced to Dalami area due to an attack on farmers from Nuba tribe. HAC and IOM visited Dalami and registered some 1,900 people (380 IDP families) who are yet to receive humanitarian assistance. On 12 December, FAO visited the area and will be sharing further information in the coming week. Humanitarian partners are closely monitoring the situation and are ready to respond.

Humanitarians resume operations in Abu Jubayhah

After conflict erupted on 30 November in Abu Jubayhah locality, humanitarian organizations resumed operations one week after the security situation improved. On 7 December, HAC and the Sudanese Red Crescent (SRC) conducted a humanitarian needs assessment in Abu Jubayhah locality. Findings of the assessment indicate that some 13,600 people were displaced including 4,672 people (700 households) to Rashad and 8,800 people (1,615 households) to Al Rahmania areas. Food and non-food items are the most urgent needs.

RESPONSE

Humanitarian response is being planned or underway in certain locations. However, safety and security challenges remain which impede timely access to some locations. Partners are working to undertake inter-agency needs assessments, stock mapping, and identifying gaps and financial resources available to provide emergency assistance.

In East Darfur, the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) will allocate US$300,000 to support water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), health, nutrition, and protection services targeting the new IDPs and returnees in Malwei village, Yassin locality. Additional support is needed to prevent further deterioration of the humanitarian situation in the locality.

Following the return of IDPs to Amar Jadeed from Manawashi IDP camp in South Darfur, the INGO World Vision International (WVI) has resumed routine operations in Mershing locality that was interrupted due to insecurity. Food distributions will resume from 26 December, and WASH and health services are currently available.

For South Kordofan, the SHF is processing funds for health, nutrition and WASH activities in Abu Jubayhah locality. INGOs and line ministries carried out needs assessments in affected areas in the locality on 7 December. Following the outcome of the assessment mission, humanitarian organizations resumed their operations in Abu Jubayhah locality. Findings indicate that NFIs, food, health and WASH assistance are the priority needs. The trader's union in Abu Jubayhah, with support from Khartoum, provided 1,500 blankets, and one bag of sorghum per family for IDPs in Rashad and Al Rahmania. In addition, SDG 5 million (about $11,428) was distributed amongst the 2,315 affected families. OCHA and partners are following up with partners, and the SHF will look into funding for gaps in health, nutrition, and WASH.

The 2022 Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP) for Sudan has been finalized and is out, please see the full report at this link.

Humanitarian needs continue to grow across Sudan as the economic situation and food insecurity continue to affect millions of people. About 14.3 million people - almost one in every three persons - are estimated to need humanitarian assistance in 2022.

The 2022 HRP will seek to provide assistance and support to 10.9 million most vulnerable people in Sudan – IDPs, people who have recently returned to their places of origin, refugees being hosted by Sudan and vulnerable Sudanese. In 2021, humanitarian partners reached more than 8.1 million people with some form of assistance.

This plan, a collective effort of all humanitarian actors and stakeholders in the country, will complement government strategies and priorities to reduce humanitarian needs. The plan will address the specific needs of women, children, the disabled, and other vulnerable groups.

For more information on the 2022 HRP, please see the document here.

For more information on humanitarian needs in 2022, go to the 2022 HNO here.

The United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) welcomed on 22 December a EUR 10 million contribution from the European Union’s Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department (ECHO) for life-saving food assistance in Sudan, in addition to EUR 13 million received at the beginning of 2021.

This funding comes at a critical time with humanitarian needs in Sudan expected to reach an all-time high in 2022.  WFP is facing an unprecedented funding shortfall of US $358 million to maintain operations in Sudan over the next six months, which includes prepositioning food ahead of the rainy season.

“The support from the EU could not have come at a more crucial moment, as WFP urgently needs to increase its assistance to meet the basic food needs of more than 9 million people in the coming year,” said Marianne Ward, Acting WFP Representative and Country Director in Sudan.

“We are extremely grateful for this contribution, but additional resources from other partners are critical. The needs are enormous and food stocks and cash are likely to run out starting early next year. Time is running out to get food delivered to some of the most remote areas which will become inaccessible during the rainy season,” she concluded.

An estimated 10.9 million people in need of urgent food security or livelihoods assistance, including 1.1 million refugees. Essentially, one in four people in Sudan are facing an alarming food crisis. Across the country, an average of 13.6 percent of children under the age of five suffer from malnutrition. In some areas, the prevalence of global acute malnutrition is as high as 30 percent or above – catastrophic levels according to WHO.

Wim Fransen, Head of ECHO Country Office in Sudan, said: “We are stepping up humanitarian support for those most in need in Sudan. In 2021 humanitarian needs in Sudan continued to grow, due to a protracted economic crisis, exacerbated by COVID-19, as well as increased insecurity and inter-communal violence, coupled with floods, disease outbreaks and an influx of refugees and asylum seekers. In addition, the political uncertainty has deepened the food crisis in the country”.

While international donor partners, like the EU, have so far stepped up and committed more than before to WFP’s response in Sudan, WFP is being forced to reduce aid or suspend certain activities as funding levels are not keeping pace with the rising humanitarian needs in 2022.

In 2021, the EU also contributed EUR 3.5 million to the WFP-managed UN Humanitarian Air Service (UNHAS) in Sudan, which has enabled WFP to transport over 21,000 humanitarian passengers to 38 hard-to-reach locations to provide life-saving services over the past year.

For more information please contact (email address: firstname.lastname@wfp.org):

Leni Kinzli, WFP/Sudan, Tel. +249 9 1200 2000 [ext. 2112], Mob. +249 (0) 91 277 1269

Abdulaziz Abdulmomin, WFP/Sudan, Tel. +249 9 1200 2000 [ext. 2113], Mob. +249 (0) 91 216 7055

https://www.wfp.org/news/european-union-provides-critical-support-wfp-faces-unprecedented-funding-shortages-sudan

Children are being forced to work long hours in Sudan as the country’s economic and humanitarian crisis continues to deteriorate, Save the Children said.

Monstaser, 14, goes to the market every afternoon to sell sweets to support his family, sometimes staying out until 10pm. Whatever he earns – usually the equivalent of US $2-3 – he gives to his mother Ihasan to contribute towards feeding their family.

“Every day after school, I go to the market to sell sweets. Sometimes I feel very tired. I come home at 10pm after work,” said Montaser.“My mother has to wake me up in the morning. I do not have time for anything else, but work and school. I never play.”

For more, please see the original Save the Children story here

HIGHLIGHTS

• There has been an increase in violence, including sub-national conflict in Darfur and Kordofan since October. The overall security situation in Darfur, Abu Jubayhah in South Kordofan and An Nuhud in West Kordofan remains tense and volatile.

• Over 83,000 people have been displaced due to inter-communal conflict in Central, North and West Darfur and thousands have been displaced in Kordofan since October 2021, according to IOM.

• The main priority needs of the displaced people include protection, shelter and non-food items, food, water, as well as health, nutrition and protection assistance.

• Most of the affected people are yet to receive humanitarian assistance mostly due to ongoing conflict or insecurity.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

There has been an increase in violence, including conflict between nomads and farmers over resources, in Darfur and Kordofan since October 2021. Many of these disputes build on seasonal inter-communal conflict over natural resources but with additional exacerbating factors indicating concerning new trends. The violence has led to the primary displacement of thousands of people and secondary displacement of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

The overall security situation in the Darfur region, Abu Jubayhah of South Kordofan and An Nuhud of West Kordofan remains tense and volatile. Armed conflict incidents featuring sporadic inter-communal clashes were reported since mid-October mainly in Central, North and West Darfur and Abu Jubayhah and Delami in South Kordofan and An Nuhud in West Kordofan.

DARFUR

over 83,000 people have been displaced due to sub-national conflict in Central, North and West Darfur states since October 2021, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). Priority needs of displaced people include protection, shelter and non-food items (S/NFIs), food and protection assistance. Most of the affected have yet to receive humanitarian assistance either due to continuing conflict or are in locations where humanitarians have not yet been able to assess needs due to security concerns.

Central Darfur

About 2,500 people displaced to Sabanga and Toga IDP gathering sites in Jebel Marrah

Following fighting between Sudan Liberation Army (SLA)/Abdel Wahid and SLA/Mubarak AlDuk faction in mid-November, about 2,500 people fled their homes around Weiji village to Sabanga and Toga IDP gathering sites in the Jebel Marrah area. The situation in the area is reported to be calm, however there are concerns that with the harvest season completed the situation may change.

Over 3,600 people flee conflict in Azum locality

On 9 December, an inter-sectoral needs assessment was conducted to Azum locality to assess the needs of people displaced following an attack by a group of nomads on Soya (3 km south of Sharq al Neel village) and Aru (12 km south of Sharq al Neel village) villages in Central Darfur’s Azum locality. The assessment identified that 750 people had fled to Sharq al Neel while 900 people took refuge in the nomad settlement of Darmat Dogdog in Azum locality, and about 1,000 people fled to Mornei in West Darfur State. A further 1,000 people are expected to move to Sharq al Neel or Rongatass IDP camp in Central Darfur. The IDPs indicated they will return to their areas of origin if security forces are deployed and there is a guarantee from the nomads that no further attacks will take place.

About 2,500 people flee conflict in Wadi Salih locality

On 10 December, inter-communal clashes between nomads and farmers erupted in Toktoka village in Wadi Salih locality. An estimated 55,000 people (11,000 households) were affected by the incident. The people moved to four different destinations: 1. A group crossed the border toward Chad. 2. A group moved to Um Jokoty, in Wadi Saleh. 3 A group moved to Jokoma Elgarbiin Bindisi. 4. A group moved to For Baranga, in West Darfur. The situation is reportedly tense with nomads mobilizing for further attacks. Security forces have been deployed to the area to diffuse the tension. There are no humanitarian organizations in Um Jokoty and the area is normally supported by INGOs located in Garsila, about 70 kilometers away. A rapid needs assessment will be carried out once the security situation permits.

North Darfur

About 840 people displaced due to attack on village in Tawila locality

An attack on Wara Fata village in Tawila locality, North Darfur on 6 and 7 December by Arab nomads has led to the displacement of 840 people to Rowanda IDP camp, according to the International Organization for Migration (IOM). At least one person was killed, and 10 others injured. In addition, 17 people reportedly lost all their personal belongings and livestock during the conflict. The main priority needs are emergency shelter, NFIs, and food.

Al Fasher and Tawila localities, North Darfur: Sub-national conflict

On 6 December, tension escalated between nomads and IDPs of Zamzam camp in Al Fasher locality, North Darfur. A nomad tribe was attacked at Hashaba village (about 20km southwest of Al Fasher town) by an unknown armed group, resulting in four deaths and three injuries. On 7 December, nomads protested in front of the Wali’s office demanding the perpetrators to the killing be arrested and brought to justice. In addition, some roads were blocked during the protest. On 8 December, nomads reportedly burned seven villages in the Gallab area of Tawila locality in retaliation to the killings. Nomads also threatened to attack Zamzam IDP camp claiming that the perpetrators of the 6 December ambush are hiding in the camp. Authorities deployed joint security forces to protect the IDPs from retaliatory attacks. Nomads are reportedly mobilizing from South Darfur and heading towards Tawila. The situation around Zamzam camp and Tawila town remains tense. Many farmers in Tawila and Zamzam were unable to access their farms due to the presence of armed nomads roaming the area. As a result, the area planted in the locality is less than last year. No displacement has been reported as the result of the conflict of 6 December.

West Darfur

About 700 people displaced due to conflict in Sirba locality

On 10 December, an Arab tribesman was killed when he allegedly tried to loot people at the water source of Harara Timan village, Sirba locality. In response, armed Arab men gathered near the village and threatened to burn the village. As a result, everyone in Harara Timan village—about 400 people—and 300 people from neighbouring Warjaga village moved to Wara village in Sirba locality. Also in Sirba locality, armed men attacked Korgei and Berberei villages on 9 December and on 10 December and armed men looted livestock from Sharrakeen village.

The government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in Sirba reported that about 465 families in Birdagig village and 600 families in Kondobei village have not harvested their crops because their farms were destroyed by livestock belonging to nomads.

Over 9,100 people displaced due to inter-communal conflict in Jebel Moon

Inter-communal clashes between nomads and farmers from the Misseriya Jebel tribe in Khazan-kujuk village (20km east of Sileia) in West Darfur’s Jebel Moon locality escalated on 20 November. According to the data collected during the inter-agency assessment that took place between 29 November and 2 December, 9,100 people (1,994 households) were displaced to Hijeilija and Selea villages in Jebel Moon locality, as well as Werywery village in Kulbus locality, Worof village in Sirba locality and Saraf Omra in North Darfur. In addition, UNHCR reported that about 2,300 people crossed to Chad into five border villages, as of 30 November. These numbers may change as there were reports of fighting on 6 and 7 December.

Community leaders of Misseriya Jabal and Arab tribes recently signed a cessation of hostilities agreement in Ag Geneina travelled to Jebel Moon locality on 13 December to communicate peace messages to their communities in these areas. Since 12 December, the road to Sirba and Jebel Moon has opened, and the commercial trucks are moving from Ag Geneina to Jebel Moon.

Up to 58,000 people affected in Kereneik locality and thousands displaced to different sites around the Kereneik town, following inter-communal clashes in several areas, according to IOM Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). Clashes in Kereneik locality erupted on 4 December over a property dispute at a local market involving nomads and members of a Masalit tribe. The security situation across Kereneik locality remains volatile and unpredictable. At least 47 people were killed and 45 people injured during these conflicts. Priority needs included food, and NFIs and emergency shelter, according to IOM.

KORDOFANS

Thousands of people have been displaced due to sub-national conflict in South and West Kordofan states since October 2021, according to IOM. Priority needs of those displaced include S/NFIs, food, water, health and nutrition support. Most of the affected have yet to receive humanitarian assistance either due to ongoing conflict or are pending assessments to determine needs.

South Kordofan

Renewed sub-national conflict displaces approximately 15,000 people in Abu Jubayhah

On 30 November, the killing of two Kenana tribesmen by a group suspected to be from the Hawazma tribe triggered retaliatory acts between the Kenana and Hawazma communities in Abu Jubayhah locality of South Kordofan State. Fighting renewed between the two communities on 2 December. At least six people were killed, 14 injured and about 15,000 people (3,000 households) displaced. Rapid Support Forces (RSF) were deployed, and local authorities imposed a curfew in the locality. There were reports that both sides are mobilizing their tribesmen for further conflict. Access to the area remains difficult. HAC and INGOs report that food, NFIs, health, nutrition and water are the most urgent needs.

Sub-national conflict in Kalogi, Abu Jubayhah locality, erupted between a group of tribes (Nuba Lognan, Kenana and Kawahla) against the Hawazma tribe on 5 June over land ownership. Over 10,700 people were displaced from the Kalogi area within Abu Jubayhah locality and to Al, Leri, Ar Rashad and Abassiya localities, according to the IOM DTM. About 41 people were killed and 24 others were injured. In addition, 703 people reportedly lost all their property and livestock. Priority needs are protection, emergency shelter, food, and NFIs.

Communal conflict in Dalami displaced up to 500 people

On 9 and 10 December, armed clashes between Kawaleeb Nuba and Hawazma Arab tribes erupted in Kedber village in Dalami locality, South Kordofan over livestock theft, according to the IOM DTM. During the conflict, one person from the Kawaleeb tribe was reportedly killed and two others injured. Field teams estimate that between 250 and 500 people have fled Kedber village and are currently sheltering in Dalami town.

West Kordofan

Sub-national conflict displaces up to 1,250 people in An Nuhud

On 5 December, clashes erupted between Al Mnasra and Arab Hamra tribes over property theft in Bayad village in An Nuhud locality, West Kordofan. Reports received indicate there were at least 9 people killed and 16 injured. Several villages were burned during the conflict. IOM estimates that up to 1,550 people (between 50 and 250 households) have been displaced to An Nuhud town. IOM reports that at least 18 people were killed and 11 were injured. In addition, 690 people reportedly lost their property and livestock. Priority needs are protection, emergency shelter, food and non-food items. Police were deployed to the area.

RESPONSE

Humanitarians have been providing assistance to people they are able to reach. In Sabanga and Toga (Central Darfur), humanitarian partners have distributed food, NFIs and dignity kits to the affected people. However more emergency shelter, dignity kits, as well as water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services are needed in Toga. The registration of those affected is ongoing and more assistance will be provided once the registration is completed. In Azum, priority needs are protection, NFIs and food. There are plans to provide NFIs for 750 people in Sharq el Neel and food assistance once the registration of IDPs is completed. In Wadi Salih locality, humanitarian partners are planning to undertake a rapid-needs assessment and to register IDPs. Partners are also starting to prepare to deliver immediate assistance once the rapid assessment and the registration are completed in the coming days.

In West Darfur, initial assistance was provided to some areas in Jebel Moon as part of the rapid assessment. However, further needs to be done to immediately respond to the needs of the approximately 9,100 people. Partners are outlining response plans which will be implemented in the coming weeks if the security allows. Additionally, humanitarian partners are discussing the need to undertake an inter-agency needs assessment in Kereneik once the situation allows.

In West Kordofan, HAC and partners will assess the area once security permits, while partners continue monitoring the situation in the eastern corridor and will undertake an assessment once security allows.

CHALLENGES

• Humanitarian partners need security in the affected areas to be able to access people in need. A solution needs to be sought for fighting to stop

• Lack of funding, in particular for protection-related activities.

For more information, please see our flash updates:

• Darfur Flash Update 01: https://bit.ly/31OA8AD

• Jebel Moon Flash Update 02: https://bit.ly/3rKLkcN

• Jebel Moon Flash Update 01: https://bit.ly/3CLIPsx

There is a significant increase in the incidence of COVID-19 in Khartoum, Aj Jazirah and River Nile states based on available data received by the World Health Organization (WHO) since 25 October. WHO received reports that public isolation centers in Khartoum, River Nile and Aj Jazirah have bed occupancy rates of above 90 per cent in the past few weeks. There are reported shortages of oxygen, essential medicines, trained staff and lack of funds to cover running and operational costs. Additional capacities to provide care for moderate and severe patients are limited and need to be scaled up in these states to prevent further transmission.

Health partners support COVID-19 activities in Blue Nile, Khartoum, Red Sea, and South Darfur states, and additional support by health partners is being requested by health authorities in the most affected states.

WHO provided over the last two weeks 340 oxygen cylinders to prevent stock outs during the period of civil unrest, 15 ambulances to scale up the referral system, personal protection equipment (PPEs) and other medical supplies. A team of surveillance, emergency and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) staff will provide support at isolation centers in River Nile State.

Disease surveillance challenges

The disease surveillance systems are severely affected by a lack of access to communication networks, internet connections and the absence of key civil staff due to the civil disobedience. There are challenges to provide reliable updates on the epidemiological situation of diseases with outbreak potential.

Suspected dengue cases reportedly increased significantly in six states, including Kassala, North Darfur, North Kordofan, River Nile, West Kordofan and West Darfur. As of 21 November, 229 suspected cases, including five deaths, were reported from these states. Outbreak response measures are affected by the ongoing crisis and may lead to a further increase of cases in the near future.

Trauma care

Since 25 October, more than 500 people were injured following demonstrations and protests in Khartoum, with 41 deaths reported, according to the Central Doctors’ Committee. Not all injured are seeking hospital care and the figures might be underreported. Most of the casualties are in Khartoum where the biggest protests took place. WHO delivered dressings and trauma supplies for 900 patients, and assessed the emergency capacities in 15 hospitals in Khartoum. WHO is preparing trainings in case management, basic life support, mass casualty and COVID-19 case management in coordination with other health partners and in response to the high staff turnover in public health facilities, which is leading to a lack of trained staff. Trauma supplies for up to 3,000 trauma patients are ready to be delivered by air from Dubai and are awaiting the finalisation of importation procedures.

The UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has also delivered emergency medical assistance to hospitals in Khartoum to support medical needs. The delivery included two emergency health kits to “Ibrahim Malik” and “Al-Mualim” hospitals in Khartoum. The kits cover basic medical needs for up to 40,000 patients over three months.

Moreover, UNICEF delivered advanced emergency health kits known as supplementary kits to nine hospitals in Khartoum including Al-Arabaeen, Ibrahim Malik, Al-Tamayouz, Royal Care and Sharg Al-Neel hospitals.

For more information on UNICEF deliveries please see the UNICEF report here

Galal* is a healthy 1-year-old baby boy who loves to laugh. He is alive and thriving today with the help of the Alight programmes funded by the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) and other donors in eastern Sudan.

Galal’s mother brought him and his 10-year-old sister to the Tunaydbah refugee settlement in eastern Sudan in November 2020 after a day-long trek from Ethiopia’s Tigray region. He was emaciated, underweight and lethargic. His mother suffered from liver cancer and was unable to properly care for him. She passed away three weeks after they arrived at the camp, leaving Galal in the care of his sister.

Immediately, Alight protection workers supported by SHF funds identified the two children for care and assistance. They placed them with families in the settlement. Galal required more care than the families could provide and his sister did not fit in with the temporary foster family. They ended up living on their own.

Baby Galal recovers at Alight clinic

At the same time, Galal’s condition was worsening. He was suffering from severe diarrhoea complicated by malnutrition. With medical care delayed, he developed life-threatening shock due to severe dehydration.

The Alight medical team provided the immediate medical attention Galal required to treat moderate acute malnutrition. With a few more days in a primary healthcare centre funded by the SHF, the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation, his condition and health improved.

Nationwide, the focus by the government authorities and humanitarian organizations on child and maternal health have helped reduce infant mortality from 68 deaths per 1,000 births in 2000 to 52 deaths in 2014; and under-five child mortality from 104 to 68 for the same period. More progress is still needed, however, especially regarding nutrition, as more than half of child deaths result from malnutrition.

Meanwhile, Alight’s protection team continued to search for a family or relative to take care of Galal and his sister. In coordination with Sudan’s Commission of Refugees, Galal’s aunt was moved from the Hamdayet border reception camp and reunited with the children in Tunaydbah.

“They all are doing very well now. Galal was discharged and I follow up his case regularly,” said Dr. Oscar Fudalan, Acting Health Manager in Gedaref. “It is all part of the life-saving work we do, thanks to all our partners.”

In 2020, 10 per cent of SHF funding was allocated to nutrition activities, targeting more than 400,000 people. This trend continued in 2021, with US$3 million out of a total of $33 million allocated to nutrition to date.

The Sudan Humanitarian Fund is a country-based pooled fund managed by OCHA Sudan under the leadership of the Humanitarian Coordinator. It collects donor contributions to make timely funding directly available to humanitarian partners working on the ground so they can deliver effective fit for purpose life-saving and life-sustaining assistance and protection to the most vulnerable people in need.

For more on SHF and how to donate, please see the link.

This story has also been published on the UN OCHA website.

* Baby Galal’s name has been changed to protect his privacy.

Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forests, Food Security Technical Secretariat (FSTS)—with support from the UN, humanitarian partners and donors—carried out its annual mid-season assessment for the 2021/2022 agricultural season between 5-16 September to identify the main factors affecting the agricultural situation in the production areas across 14 States in Sudan. According to the findings, the agricultural season is expected to be average to above average.

Five core teams visited the main summer crop producing areas in 14 states and cross-checked official estimates by conducting extensive field inspections, rapid case studies with sample farmers, and interviews with herders and traders.

The area expected to be planted for season 2021/2022 will be above average by about 6 per cent, and down compared to last year by 8 per cent.

At the national and sub-national level, the teams collected the latest available information and data on rainfall amounts and distribution, vegetation cover, crop protection campaigns, cereal reserve stocks and prices of the main crops and livestock. Periodic food security reports were reviewed, and the main socio-economic indicators were provided by the Central Bank of Sudan, the Agricultural Bank of Sudan, the Central Bureau of Statistics and the Strategic Reserve Corporation.

Rainfall data was obtained from the Sudan Meteorological Authority and from other sources in the field. Satellite imageries were used to review the evolution of vegetation cover over the course of the year.

COVID-19-related restrictions were relaxed in the first quarter of 2021 and based on various reports from FSTS and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), there has been no significant direct impact of the waves of COVID-19 on the 2021/2022 summer agricultural season.

For more information and details, see the report here