joint assessment mission 2009 eastern sudan · fnc forest national corporation fo field office ......

COR

Joint Assessment Mission 2009 Eastern Sudan

Review of Assistance to Eritrean and Ethiopian Refugees April 2009

Eastern Sudan – JAM 2009

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Table of Contents MISSION MEMBERS ............................................................................................................. 5

ACRONYMS ............................................................................................................................ 8

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ..................................................................................................... 9

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY .................................................................................................... 10

PART I: OBJECTIVES ......................................................................................................... 16

1. Objectives ........................................................................................................................ 16 PART II: METHODOLOGY ............................................................................................... 17

2. Preparations .................................................................................................................... 17 3. Field work ....................................................................................................................... 17

PART III: BASIC FACTS ..................................................................................................... 18

4. Background ..................................................................................................................... 18 5. Characteristics of the Refugee Camps ......................................................................... 19 6. Camp Population: Figures and Status ......................................................................... 20

6.1 Refugees Status Determination ............................................................................... 20 6.2 New Arrivals and Asylum Seekers ......................................................................... 21 6.3 Local Integration and Resettlement Programme .................................................. 21 6.4 Verification ............................................................................................................... 22

PART IV: FOLLOWING UP ON JAM 2006 ...................................................................... 23

7. What has been done since JAM 2006? ......................................................................... 23 PART V: FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD ........................................................... 25

8. Livelihoods ...................................................................................................................... 25 9. Coping Strategies ............................................................................................................ 26 10. Camp Specific Information ......................................................................................... 27

PART VI: FOOD AID AND DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM ........................................ 32

11. General Food Distribution ........................................................................................... 32 11.1 Food Targeting ....................................................................................................... 32 11.2 Beneficiary Figures ................................................................................................ 33 11.3 The Food Insecure .................................................................................................. 33 11.4 Food Ration ............................................................................................................. 34 11.5 Logistics, Warehousing, and Storage ................................................................... 35 11.6 Food Distribution ................................................................................................... 37 11.7 Market Survey ........................................................................................................ 39

PART VII: HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES .................................. 39

12. Nutrition and Health .................................................................................................... 39 12.1 Nutrition Situation ................................................................................................. 40 12.3 Camp Specific Information ................................................................................... 43


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12.4 Mental Health ......................................................................................................... 48 13. Water and Sanitation Services .................................................................................... 48

PART VIII: EDUCATION, PROTECTION AND GENDER ........................................... 49

14. Education ...................................................................................................................... 49 15. Protection ...................................................................................................................... 53

15.1 Protection and Security in the Camps .................................................................. 53 15.2 Freedom of Movement and Relation to Host Community ................................. 53 15.3 Freedom of Religion ............................................................................................... 54 15.4 Shelter, Fuel and Environment ............................................................................. 54 15.5 Unaccompanied Minors in Shagareb ................................................................... 54 15.6 Orphans ................................................................................................................... 55 15.7 Minority Groups ..................................................................................................... 55 15.8 People living with HIV ........................................................................................... 56 15.9 Elderly and Disabled .............................................................................................. 56

16. Gender ........................................................................................................................... 56 PART IX: SELF-RELIANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMPS ........................................ 57

17. Review of Ongoing Activities ...................................................................................... 57 18. Achievements ................................................................................................................ 58 19. Challenges and Way Forward ..................................................................................... 58

PART X: RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN ............................................... 59

20. Recommendations ........................................................................................................ 59 21. Action Plan .................................................................................................................... 67

21.1 Action Plan: Food Security and Livelihoods ....................................................... 67 21.2 Action Plan: Logistics, Warehousing, Roads and Infrastructure ...................... 67 21.3 Action Plan: Health and Nutrition ....................................................................... 68 21.4 Action Plan: Environment, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture/Livestock, Shelter .............................................................................................................................. 71 21.5 Action Plan: Coordination, Registration and Self-Reliance ............................... 72 21.6 Action Plan: Education and School Feeding ........................................................ 77

LIST OF SECONDARY DATA ............................................................................................ 79

APPENDICES ........................................................................................................................ 80

Appendix 1: Field Schedule ............................................................................................... 80 Appendix 2: Groups and Key Informants Met ............................................................... 81 Appendix 3: Map of Refugee Camps in Eastern Sudan ................................................. 82 Appendix 4: Update on JAM 2006 Recommandations ................................................... 83 Appendix 5: Number of Beneficiaries of IF and SFP in Kassala State, 2007 ............... 88 Appendix 6: Beneficiaries of Selective Feeding Program ............................................... 90 Appendix 7: Number of Planned and Actual Beneficiaries in 2007-2009 ..................... 91 Appendix 8: Terms of Reference - JAM 2009 ................................................................. 95


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MISSION MEMBERS

Name Agency Title

Allison Oman* UNHCR SNR Regional, Nutrition and Food Security Coordinator; UNHCR

Kiganzi Nyakato* WFP CETA Deputy Coordinator, Khartoum Fatima el-Tom UNHCR Head of Antenna Office, Gedaref Hafiz Ibrahim WFP Head of Programme, SO Port Sudan Hashim Onour WFP Logistics Officer, SO Kassala Hassan ElShiekh FAO National Officer, Khartoum Hope Okuga UNHCR Agricultural Specialist, SO Kassala Japheth L. Diones UNHCR Associate Livelihoods Officer, SO KassalaKhalda Khalafalla WFP Nutrition Assistant, SO Kassala Mohammed Dualeh UNHCR Head of Sub-Office, SO Kassala Dr Omer GHF Health Coordinator Fau 5 Raoufou Makou* UNHCR Health Coordinator, SO Kassala Salah Khalid WFP Senior Programme Assistant, SO Kassala Stanley Miseleni UNHCR Senior Reintegration Officer, SO KassalaEdmonda Kanozayire UNHCR Associate Supply Officer, SO Kassala Varfee Kamara UNHCR Associate Supply Officer, SO Kassala Victoria Ta-Asan WFP Head of Sub-Office, SO Kassala Participants at field level with Health and Nutrition Team Kilo 26 Dr. Seafeldeen Abdalla Medical Coordinator Taha Abdalla Medical Assistant Samir Mustafa Medical Assistant Abdelgadir Nuri Medical Assistant Negwa Ahmed Nutrition Assistant Halima Abdelhalim Nurse Mohmed Ali Nurse Hassan Ibrahim Midwife Nefisa Gasmalla Midwife Lalcia Osman Midwife Asma Ali Home Visitor Hawa Ali Home Visitor Modssir Ibrahim Home Visitor Hyet Ali Home Visitor Girba Hasti Hutom MA Tasfai Gasri MA Musa Ahmed HV Rahma Osman Nurse Abubaker Osman Driver Mohmed Shargi Pharmacist Um Gargour Abdulaziz Ali Administrator Humad Ali M.assisstant


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Omer Salih M. assistant Salih Ali Vaccinator Zeinab Keplom Nutrition Sulima Ahmed Midwife Shagarabs Zari Abi Zan MA Yamani Mehritas MA Yones Osman MA Mehrtas Gasoaley Lab assistant Ibrahim Ahmed Assistant Pharmacist Mohmed Ismael Nutrition Walali Gergis Magboul Mohmed Adam Fasum Garoi Home Visitor Fatima Abubaker Home Visitor Fatima Basheer Home Visitor Fawzia M . Alamin Home Visitor Laila Ali Home Visitor Kaltoum Osman Midwife Fatima Edris Midwife Fau 5 Omer Salih Medical Assistant Abdrahim Ahmed Pharmacy Assistant Sultan Ibrahim Lab Technician Tarig Elrasheed Lab technician Adam Arafa Nurse Saddug Mohmed Nurse Asia Mohmed Nutritionist Hawa Omer Home Visitor Darelsalam Bala Cooker Walid Ibrahim Hospital Admin Asharaf Awad Storekeeper Fawzia Mohmed Midwife Suki Camps Dr Modasir Abdalla Medical Coordinator Babiker Bashri Medical Assistant Awad Abdalla Medical Assistant Hussen Suleman Pharmacy Assistant Fisal Osman Lab Technician Mohmed Ahmed Nurse Mahasin Ibrahim Nurse Momam Vahia Nutritionist Fatima Adam Home Visitor Fatima Idris Midwife Wad Sharifey Ahmed Abdagafar Health Coordinator


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Marium Alati Administrator Michael Beyani Nutrition Assistant Adam Ibrahim MA Mostafa Hag Mustafa MA Jamal Abubaker MA Husin Moh. Omer TB pgm Idris Shebot Supervisor CHW Suliman Moh. Supervisor CHW Mohmed Salih Supervisor CHW *Mission Coordinators for UNHCR and WFP.


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ACRONYMS CHW Community Health Worker CMAM Community-based Management of Acute Malnutrition COR Commission of Refugees (Government of Sudan) CSB Corn-Soya Blend FNC Forest National Corporation FO Field Office GAM Global Acute Malnutrition GBV Gender-based violence GFD General Food Distribution HH Household HIS Health Information System IEC Information Education Communication IF Intensive Feeding IP Implementing Partner JAM Joint Assessment Mission JPA Joint Plan of Action Kcal Kilocalories MoE Ministry of Education MoH Ministry of Health NFI Non-Food Item NGO Non-Governmental Organization ODAN WFP Needs Assessment Service/HQ PDM Post-Distribution Monitoring PLHIV People living with HIV PRRO Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation PTA Parent Teacher Associations RSD Refugee Status Determination SAM Severe Acute Malnutrition SFP Supplemental Feeding Programme SOLO Sudan Open Learning Organisation SOP Standard Operational Procedure STD Sexually Transmitted Disease TFP Therapeutic Feeding Programme UAM Unaccompanied Minors UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children’s Fund VCT Voluntary Counselling and Testing WFP World Food Programme


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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The JAM 2009 team would like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to each and everyone who contributed to the mission. Without the invaluable assistance provided by WFP, UNHCR, COR, UNICEF, FAO, HAI, SRC, GHA the JAM could not have been successfully carried out. A fruitful JAM fully relies on the support and goodwill of refugees in the respective camps. The JAM team wants to express its genuine appreciation to the refugees in Wad Sharifey, Kilo 26, Shagareb, Suki, Fau 5, Um Gargour, Abuda and Girba for their willingness to open up their homes and allow access and insight into programs and facilities. Our wish is that this report provides a true and accurate reflection of their situation, including needs and constraints. We hope that this JAM will contribute to further improvements in your lives as refugees. Last but not least, the mission leaders wish to thank each individual team member. Your tireless engagement throughout the mission is highly appreciated. Thank you! Ms Allison Oman Ms Kiganzi Nyakato Mission Leader Mission Leader Senior Regional Nutrition and CETA Deputy Coordinator, WFP Food Security Coordinator, UNHCR Pictures on front page taken by Hope Okuga, UNHCR (left), and Reintegration Unit UNHCR, Sub-Office, Kassala.


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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The refugee caseload in Sudan is one of the longest protracted refugee situations in the

world with refugees fleeing conflicts, drought and famine in neighbouring Eritrea and Ethiopia. More than 234,000 asylum seekers and refugees are living in refugee camps while others have been assimilated into the local communities. About 85% of the refugee populations in camps are hosted in Kassala state. Since 1967, WFP and UNHCR, in collaboration with the Government of Sudan through the Commission of Refugees (COR), have been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees in the East.

During the period 2002- 2005, when the security situation was much improved in Eritrea

and Ethiopia, a Cessation Clause was signed between all three countries and UNHCR. This meant that all refugees living in Sudan were required to return back to their home countries and UNHCR encouraged voluntary repatriation. However, in 2005 the situation changed dramatically and UNHCR, following reports of human rights abuse in Eritrea, initiated a refugee status determination (RSD) office. Under the refugee status determination, new refugees are given the legal right to remain in Sudan under the protection of UNHCR and COR. Unfortunately, the RSD process, though a good idea in principle, has in practice been hampered by the sheer numbers involved and limited capacity of COR to speedily process the new arrivals.

Since 2004, UNHCR has been consolidating camps and closing others in order to facilitate

the gradual integration of the refugees into the local communities,. The remaining eight camps, namely Shagareb (I,II, III), Um Gargour, Suki, Kilo 26, Fau 5, Wad Sharifey, Abuda, Girba continue under the responsibility of UNHCR/COR. The latest verification exercise completed in December 2008 showed that the number of refugees in Eastern Sudan lies at 62,307.

The camps are classified into two categories. Six wage-based camps are located in

agricultural areas or near towns where refugees can obtain employment as agricultural labourers or other paid employments. For every refugee household in the two land-based camps Abuda and Um Gargour, the Government allocated 5-10 feddans (equivalent to 1.036 acres or 0.4192 hectares) of agricultural land.

WFP’s ‘Protracted and Recovery Operation’ (PRRO) 10122.01“Food Assistance for

Eritrean Refugees”, was to cover a caseload of 48,500 refugees from January to December 2009. Food assistance is to be provided through a targeted general food distribution, supplementary/therapeutic feeding programmes and food-for-work/training activities.

The Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) 2009 in Eastern Sudan was designed to assess the

food security and self-reliance situation of refugees hosted in eight camps in Eastern Sudan and to review the status of the 2006 JAM recommendations, in order to further guide planning and budgeting. After a one-day training workshop, comprehensive field work was undertaken with full day visits in each camp for primary data collection. Secondary data sources included reports, statistics and Health Information System reports of 2007 and 2008 of all camps, UNHCR March 2009 nutrition report, UNHCR2009 Self-Reliance Strategy report among others.

The JAM 2009 assessed the status of implementation of the recommendations made


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during JAM 2006. The conclusion is that there has been progress in many areas but unfortunately not in all sectors and across all camps.

For example, maintenance and repairs were done in Suki and Um Gargour camps. A

regular surveillance system was started in all camps in November 2008. Health staff were trained on Health Information (HIS) and data collection systems and given computers. Limited Food for Training (FFT) was undertaken with Sudan Open Learning Organisation (SOLO) which proved successful in the high enrolment and retention of participants in the functional adult literacy classes. Regarding community’s ownership of schools, all schools have Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) committees and to some extent school activities are supported.

However, many recommendations have not or only partly been followed. The

recommendations directly linked to the verification exercise are ongoing. Refugees are still not informed about their food entitlements and the food distribution process requires urgent review. Food for Work (FFW) activities were not expanded due to a lack of partners, except for a project for seedlings production undertaken by Forest National Corporation (FNC).

A recommendation to strengthen the nutrition surveillance system in the camps requires

technical support and tools. While camp nutritionists and the clinicians were trained on community management of acute severe malnutrition, progress is hindered as the Information Education Communication (IEC) materials are not yet available. Joint assessments and project follow up are still to be implemented regularly to ensure successful monitoring of planned interventions. The ACORD Income Generation Activities (IGAs) program needs to be aggressively expanded, particularly in line with detailed recommendations arising from the UNHCR 2008 report on the “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan”.

In regard to livelihoods, following focus group discussions amongst elders and women

committees, it was agreed that at least 65-75% is poor, while the middle and relatively better-off are 25-30% and 5-10% of the total refugee population respectively.

Markets and food aid are the main food sources for the assessed refugees. Livelihood

opportunities pose a challenge to all implementing partners (IPs) and lead agencies. Most of the refugees are able to earn some money for living from a mediocre farming, employment in nearby towns (mostly old caseload) or agricultural farms, livestock raising, sewing, handicrafts making, small businesses, carpentry, metal and construction work. But more detailed analysis is required to understand how to promote household income sources. There is also a massive need to intensify income generating activities (IGAs) in all camps.

In the assessed refugee camps, the most common coping mechanisms involve rationing

the available food through limiting portion sizes, reducing the number of meals eaten per day and eating less preferred foods. It was also noticed that borrowing as coping mechanism is very frequently employed by all interviewed households.

Since an important aspect of a healthy camp situation is a healthy market system that allows refugees to both borrow and exchange goods, there is need for regular market surveys and discussion with traders to determine their needs; sustain supply for demand, information about distribution dates so that they can prepare accordingly with adequate cash and non-cash resources


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Focussing on food security, the 2007 Annual Needs and Livelihood Assessment found that on average approximately 43% of refugee households fell into the low dietary diversity group, with a range of 17.5% for some camps and up to 80% of the population with low diversity in others. In addition, the JAM found many vulnerable households not included in the food targeting scheme at all.

There is a commitment to better involve the health and nutrition staff in identifying

vulnerable households and any change in status (delivery of twins, chronic illness, births, deaths) that could make a family eligible for the general food distribution. In addition, there is the ongoing dilemma of how to support households that are not extremely vulnerable but who are also not fully self-reliant.

As per the standard UNHCR/WFP/COR Tripartite Agreement, WFP is responsible for

transportation, storage and handling of food aid up to the camp warehouses (EDP/FDP), while UNHCR is responsible for maintenance and rehabilitation of camp warehouses, and transportation and handling of food commodities from the camp warehouses for final distribution to beneficiaries through COR.

The current distributed WFP general food basket contains four commodities, namely 450g cereals, 50g pulses, 30g oil and 10g iodized salt per person per day. This amount to 1,943 kcal, 59.2 g of protein and 43 g of fat, covering 93% of the minimum daily energy and 100% of the protein and fat requirement. However, the ration is lacking in key micronutrients especially vitamin C, iron and calcium. The level of others micronutrients such as iodine, vitamin A, thiamin and niacin is not significantly different from the 2006 ration. Unfortunately, even though the JAM recommends that CSB be reintroduced into the ration as an urgent nutritional requirement, the WFP operational constraints due to high costs an spoilage rate that led to its removal in 2007 have not changed in 2009. Under the current constraints it is highly unlikely that CSB will be reintroduced into the GFD ration. Therefore the JAM recommends that both WFP and UNHCR explore alternative means to improve refugee’ access to micronutrients- including the introduction of MNP products (powders, ready-to-use foods, lipid-nutrient supplements); the substitution of other micronutrient rich food, or in the longer term, the development of kitchen gardens throughout the camps. At the time of the JAM, the current ration gives 50% ration for six months and 100% for six months to the identified vulnerable groups. The justification for this arrangement is from the 2007 ANLA report on refugee household food security status. However, it must be noted that the ration is already being given only to targeted households, based on there vulnerability. This vulnerability criterion (discussed below) does not include households that are meeting their own food needs, and therefore there is no justification for reducing their food for half the year. In this context, vulnerable groups are equally vulnerable throughout the year and the JAM found no difference in their ability to meet their food needs from one season to the next. The JAM will be recommending that those identified for targeted general food distribution be given the full ration throughout the year.

The warehouses equipment in general is very poor lacking even minimum warehouse


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management tools. The warehouse hygiene is very poor as there are not enough brooms or regular staff to do the job. Also, there are no weighing scales except in Wad Sharifey where it was brought recently, no safety equipment, no fences, no guards, and in some locations like Fau 5 and Suki camps there is no storekeeper.

No training has taken place in the last eight years for the warehouse staff. The JAM found

that many are unaware of their responsibilities as stipulated in the UNHCR/WFP/COR tripartite agreement. The lack of training has contributed to a clear deterioration in standards, especially in terms of stacking, flood barriers, record keeping and fumigation.

In all camps distribution is carried out in an organized manner, via information

dissemination to camp population, verification of ration cards by the storekeeper according to the master list and food delivery to the beneficiaries.

However, the food distribution system in all of the camps needs a complete over-haul,

from infrastructure, to distribution committees to the actual distribution using standard containers. The JAM found that refugees were not informed about the timing of distributions or their exact entitlements for each commodity. The JAM was concerned about the lack of transparency, lack of women’s participation and the lack of accountability and monitoring by both UNHCR and WFP staff in the distribution.

All health and nutrition services are provided free of charge to refugees and people

living in the villages surrounding the camps. The MoH provides drugs for treatment of uncomplicated malaria and TB, and vaccines. Other drugs and medical equipments are supplied by UNHCR.

The medical referral system from the State health facilities to Khartoum Teaching Hospital

has been reviewed few months ago. However, the annual budget allocated is not enough to meet all the needs.

Significant efforts have been made by the sector to upgrade knowledge and skills of health

service providers (in the camp health facilities) through various training workshops in order to build capacity and sustainable human resources.

The HIV/AIDS prevention and care program is not well established and limited to

awareness campaigns in all camps, condom promotion and distribution. There is only one mobile voluntary counselling and testing (VCT) service in Wad Sharifey camp, which leads to referral of eligible cases into the national ARV program and nutrition support for people living with HIV/AIDS.

The recent surveys on the nutritional situation in the camps show that all camps except

Suki have a GAM rate far above the accepted standard in protracted refugee settings of 5%. These high numbers are unacceptable as acute malnutrition has a severe impact on health. If this is not addressed immediately, it will result in devastating health problems in the long-term.

The trend since September 2006 shows that while the rate decreased in Fau 5 and Suki, and

is stable in Wad Sharifey, it increased by an alarming 5-10% in all other camps. There are two camps in a critical situation (Shagarabs and Um Gargour), four camps in a


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serious situation (Kilo 26, Abuda, Girba, and Wad Sharifey) and two camps in a moderate situation (Fau 5 and Suki).

In regard to mental health, it is recommended to hire a psychiatrist that can visit the

camps once a month and attend to the most severe cases. The psychiatrist can offer intensive counselling and determine what drugs to be used. A clear essential mental health drug list can be created by the psychologist and signed by medical coordinator. Finally, it is recommended that the psychiatrist be supported to undertake community sensitization and offer training to staff on mental health awareness, social support and indications of trauma.

Sanitation related activities should be urgently prioritized. The average access to latrines

is about 24%. The ESCO has already started sanitation-related activities in all camps for the year 2009 to keep the camps clean. Integration of hygiene promotional activities in school curriculum and health centres are strongly recommended to sensitize refugees to a healthy and clean living.

Garbage collection and management is still causing environmental ill-health. Although

there has been a lot of improvement in garbage collection in the camps, refugees must understand that they are ultimately responsible to dispose garbage properly and not leave it to ESCO to merely collect them.

The refugee education system is in line with the national education system of the Ministry

of Education (MoE). Most of the teachers are recruited by the MoE and are qualified.. Trainings are organised for those who need capacity strengthening in specific areas, however, funds are limited. According to MoE requirements, grade 8 schools are supposed to have a ceiling of 13-15 teachers, in refugee schools the average number of teachers is 8.

High drop-out rates are particularly common in Shagareb, Kilo 26, Wad Sharifey, Abuda

camps. School feeding should be considered as an incentive for girls’ education. FFT incentive for women in literacy classes and to offer food security for households that are withdrawing children for labour purposes. WFP will do a feasibility study and assessment on this with UNHCR and COR.

Regarding school facilities, rehabilitation of classroom blocks have been done in some

schools, while others still need urgent rehabilitation especially in the Shagarabs I, II, III and Fat el Rahman.

In most camps the security situation is fairly stable. However, a major concern is the

general trend of increased theft targeting single female headed households particularly in the central states.

The relation of the refugee community to the host community is another major security

factor, particularly in Kilo 2), where some of the refugees do not speak the same language and have a different culture from the host community. In spite of this, the JAM was pleased to see a peaceful co-existence prevailing bn the rest of the two population groups.

The influx of refugees mostly from Eritrea to Eastern Sudan has been continuously

increasing. With the new arrivals of refugees in the reception centre, Shagareb Camp, new shelter provisions need to be made and the allocated resources from UNHCR cannot match the number of the asylum seekers/refugees.


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Most shelter in all camps need to be rehabilitated or reconstructed. Some refugees were

given tukuls/huts while others were given tents. These tents lasted three to four years and then they had to collect wooden poles and grass from the bush to build a structure.

Regarding fuel, all camps are still practicing the use of firewood, charcoal, crops

remainders and animal manures as fuel sources. FNC attempted to introduce the use of alternative fuel source but it proved too costly. It is recommended that FNC explore another alternative to arrest the environmental degradation.

The type of fuel used has an impact on the environment. The general state of the physical

environment in all camps is below standard and calls for immediate attention. The root problems are deforested land, poor garbage management, water shortage, inadequate latrine facilities, land degradation and the laxity among refugees to exert more effort in keeping their surroundings clean and making their homes liveable.

There are a number of refugee minority groups in different camps, most notably Um

Gargour and Kilo 26, who do not have a similar profile to the majority of the population in the camp. It is essential that the basic service and protection needs of these sub-groups be adequately addressed.

In general, no major risks regarding daily life needs for women and girls were identified.

Water and fuel are available within reasonable distances. It is worth noting there is to expand the provision of alternative sources of energy, like the ongoing provision of LP Gas for cooking, to ease the burden on women and girls. However, the main concern is that women do not have decision-making or leadership roles inside the camp. Although this is understandable due to cultural, traditional and religious norms, attention needs to be paid to ensure that women’s particular needs are heard and considered.

In Eastern Sudan refugee camps, several activities are ongoing that aim to strengthen the

self-reliance of the refugees. UNHCR entered into an agreement with implementing partners (IPs) in 2008 to carry out different livelihoods activities namely ACORD, SOLO, SRC and FNC. However, the opportunities for self-reliance are very limited and must be expanded if refugees are to meet their own needs. Expanding livelihoods is costly and does not happen overnight, it is a process – a three year process at minimum. This development needs to happen in conjunction with meeting minimum food needs. Key action points were identified during the JAM mission and are required from the Government, WFP and UNHCR in order to change the plight of refugees.


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PART I: OBJECTIVES 1. Objectives The Joint Assessment Mission (JAM) 2009 in Eastern Sudan was designed to assess the food security and self-reliance situation of refugees hosted in eight camps in Eastern Sudan and to review the status of the 2006 JAM recommendations, in order to further guide planning and budgeting. Hence, the JAM 2009 carefully took into consideration the findings and recommendation of JAM 2006 and assessed the status of their implementation, as well as weaknesses and potentials for improvement. The Joint UNHCR/WFP/COR Mission reviewed:

Food and Non-Food Items: The overall food and non-food supply situation of the refugees in eastern Sudan, with special focus on the current targeting criteria used for enrolment in the general food distribution program.

Health and Nutrition: more specifically • The means of improving the refugees’ nutritional status taking into consideration

both food and non-food needs, including underlying causes, e.g. availability of clean drinking water and safe food handling;

• The nutritional and health status of the beneficiaries in view of assessing the quality and effectiveness of supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes, the current interventions of supplementary feeding (TFP, SFP, hospital feeding and others- including HIV, TB related feeding);

• UNHCR/COR/WFP plans of action to address malnutrition and anaemia; • Ongoing public health challenges that affect overall health of the refugee

population, e.g. anaemia and problems related to pregnancy and childbirth;

Registration: Review the registration process for all refugees with special reference to new arrivals.

Logistics: Review the logistics and warehousing arrangements with special reference to the food distribution system, high costs and EDP arrangements. Review the losses incurred, the levels and condition of operational reserve stocks, risks and possibilities to reduce risks and increase performance and efficiency, the performance and efficiency of the logistic (transport, storage, and handling) system and management.

Potential and Risks for Self-Reliance: Determining current coping mechanism and assessing their impact on self-reliance. Explore the impact of existing camp projects such as the FFW and income-generating activities and identify what new measures should be explored to ensure that the refugees achieve the maximum possible level of sustainable self-reliance pending a durable solution.

Evaluation/review of on-going Operation: more specifically • • Review implementation of specific recommendations of the 2007 Joint

UNHCR/WFP Nutrition mission to Eastern Sudan refugee camps - as well as relevant data from other available reports including the last JAM in 2006, nutrition surveys and food security/consumption and UNHCR partner monitoring reports

• • Determine how to improve the ongoing operation according to defined objectives for food security, nutritional status, self-reliance, and the general well-being of the refugees and host population.


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• • Promote positive elements on which to build upon and address specific problems and constraints that impede the achievement of objectives

PART II: METHODOLOGY 2. Preparations A one-day training workshop was held prior to departure to the refugee camps for all team members. A few individuals and implementing partners joined the JAM team in the respective refugee camps. The JAM training workshop followed generally the modules and materials developed by ODAN, but were aligned with the specific context of Eastern Sudan. The training covered JAM concepts and principles, including the WFP/UNHCR Memorandum of Understanding, nutrition and food security, coping strategies, specific profiling of the eight refugee camps under review, and in-depth preparations by each of the six thematic groups, including checklists, methods, tools for information gathering, as well as output and expectations.

3. Field work The JAM 2009 undertook comprehensive field work with full day visits in each camp for primary data collection. Secondary data sources included reports, statistics and Health Information System reports 2007 and 2008 of all camps, UNHCR March 2009 nutrition report, UNHCR 2009 Self-Reliance Strategy report, among others. (See list of secondary data). The primary data was gathered from eight refugee camps; Shagareb (I,II, III), Um Gargour, Suki, Kilo 26, Fau 5, Wad Sharifey, Abuda and Girba, between 20-25th April 2009. . The core team included two mission coordinators, a team leader from UNHCR and WFP, UNHCR, FAO, UNICEF staff, representatives from implementing partners, and the Commission of Refugees. In all camps, additional staff from local government, and representatives from implementing partners joined the core team. The core team was divided into six thematic groups with an assigned group leader and a clearly defined area of responsibility. The thematic areas were as follows:

Group 1: Food Security and Coping Mechanism (community and household level) Group 2: Logistics, Warehousing, Roads and Infrastructure Group 3: Health and Nutrition Group 4: Environment, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture/Livestock, Shelter Group 5: Coordination, Registration, Policy and Durable Solutions Group 6: Education and School Feeding

A triangulation of different qualitative data tools were applied by the six groups and sector-specific information from different sources both within and between the groups was collected. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions; transect walks through the camps, direct observation, cooking pot tours, proportional piling, seasonal calendars, and infrastructure visits. Key informants included local authorities, camp managers, staff, refugee staff, refugee leaders, refugee women’s groups, distribution


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committees, youth groups, vulnerable people associations (e.g. PLHIV groups), local traders, transporters, host community and refugee households (HHs). Households were randomly selected for interview to minimize bias. An effective sampling of age, gender, social level, economic rank, interests and outlook was sought and achieved by the six groups (Appendix 1 and 2 show time schedule and sources of information). During the camp visits, initial brief supervisory meetings were held with each group to ensure tasks were well understood and that the groups had access to all key informants and sources of information necessary. After each day in a camp, a debriefing session with all JAM members was held. During this debriefing, triangulation of the data was also continuously undertaken and each group presented its recommendations followed by discussion in the mission team to reach consensus. Throughout the whole JAM, reliability and validity of data was carefully ensured. Finally, each group wrote down its findings in form of a daily narrative report and created a table of the recommendations including timeframe and responsible agency. All participants’ comments or feedback given during the debriefing were incorporated. Although strong efforts were made to minimize bias and inconsistencies in the JAM, a few limitations were identified. These include:

Due to long distances, the team had to be split on three days with one team visiting Fau 5 and Suki, while the other team visited Kilo 26 and Girba. The team also split on the final day with one team visiting Um Gargour while the other visited Abuda. While the representation for the team remained balanced (with UNHCR/WFP/Government members on each team) there was not the same full core group to discuss the recommendations on two of the days.

Time is always a limiting factor on any JAM. While the mission was greatly impressed by the consistency and commitment of the staff in terms of their daily participation, additional time would have been helpful for the teams to develop their narrative reports and key issues before having to resume their normal work load.

PART III: BASIC FACTS 4. Background The refugee caseload in Sudan is one of the longest protracted refugee situations in the world with refugees fleeing conflicts, drought and famine in neighbouring Eritrea and Ethiopia. More than 234,000 asylum seekers and refugees are living in refugee camps while others have been assimilated into the local communities. About 85% of the refugee populations in camps are hosted in Kassala state. Since 1967, WFP and UNHCR, in collaboration with the Government of Sudan through Commission of Refugees (COR), have been providing humanitarian assistance to refugees in the East. There refugees were initially housed in twenty-six open camps established between 1967 and 1985. However since 2004, in order to facilitate the gradual integration of the refugees into the local communities, UNHCR has been consolidating camps and closing others. The remaining eight camps, namely Shagareb (I,II, III), Um Gargour, Suki, Kilo 26, Fau 5, Wad Sharifey, Abuda, Girba (location see map in Appendix 3) continue under the responsibility of UNHCR/COR. The latest verification exercise completed in December 2008 showed that the number of refugees in Eastern Sudan lies at 62,307. New asylum seekers continue to enter the country, predominantly young males


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who remain in the camps for a short period of time before moving on to cities or third countries. The most recent repatriation process took place in the late 1990s and early 2000 following Eritrea’s independence, but fighting in October 2002 led to the border’s closure and subsequent suspension of the exercise. The border was re-opened on the 31st of October 2006 following the signing of the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) on the 14th of October between the Government of Sudan and the Eastern Front. As a result, the government has lifted the state of emergency in Kassala State. WFP’s ‘Protracted and Recovery Operation’ (PRRO) 10122.01“Food Assistance for Eritrean Refugees”, was to cover a caseload of 48,500 refugees from January to December 2009. Food assistance was to be provided through general food distribution, supplementary/therapeutic feeding programmes and food-for-work/training activities. The latest tripartite agreement covers food supplied by WFP under EMOP 10693.0 and distributed by COR from April to December 2007. Even though a draft tripartite agreement was prepared in 2008, it could not be approved until the refugee population figures were updated, this was done in early 2009, and an updating of the refugee situation through the 2009 JAM. The JAM has highlighted the real need to have all parties well understand their roles and responsibilities. Without this pre-understanding and preparation, gaps in the food distribution process with no accountability will continue. Partner roles and responsibilities need to be filtered down to the field to ensure that all staff are personally made aware of them. There is consensus amongst key partners working with the refugees that there is a need for dynamic and creative programming that can both support self-reliance activities and livelihood stability for the majority, while continuing to support the full food needs for the acutely food insecure and vulnerable minority. For all refugees living in UNHCR/WFP/COR supported camps, refugees have rights to the provision of basic education, health, and nutrition services until they are able to meet these needs on their own. 5. Characteristics of the Refugee Camps Eastern Sudan is characterized by low and erratic rainfall in the north (Red Sea State and northern parts of Kassala State) and heavy but unpredictable rainfall in the south (southern parts of Kassala and Gaderef State). In spite of this, Gaderef State is the main state producing the staple sorghum, while Red Sea State suffers from chronic food insecurity. Kassala’s main livelihood activities are seasonal farming, livestock, woodcutting, charcoal production and cross border trade with Eritrea. There are limited employment opportunities and income sources outside the agricultural sector in Eastern Sudan. Agricultural policies favour export crops at the expense of food crops. Eight refugee camps host the refugee caseload in Eastern Sudan under the lead of COR with support from UNHCR/WFP. These camps are Shagareb (I, II, III), Um Gargour, Suki, Kilo 26, Fau 5, Wad Sharifey, Abuda, Girba. The camps are classified into two categories:

Wage-based camps: Six camps are located in agricultural areas or near towns where refugees can obtain employment as agricultural labourers or other paid employment.

Land-based camps: The Government allocated 5-10 feddans (equivalent to 1.036 acres or 0.4192 hectares) of agricultural land for every refugee households in Abuda and


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Um Gargour camps.

The actual classification of some of the camps is under question and the need for COR to clarify this issue was raised by key stakeholders during the JAM. Specifically, Wad Sharifey has been characterized as a reception camp, even though it no longer acts as one, and some of the wage-based camps no longer have access to the initial industries that provided this classification (e.g. in Shagareb). There is a need to assess the land ownership/lease in the land-based camps such as Um Gargour and Abuda as many of the former land title holders have either been repatriated or resettled. In Abuda camp, many of the present refugee residents don’t have access to the lands which is affecting their livelihood and food security Below are some characteristics of the refugee camps:

State Camp Camp Type Date Established Location

Kassala Abuda Land based 1981 8km from Showak

Girba Wage based 1979 Girba town

Kilo 26 Wage based 1979 10km from Girba

Shagareb I Wage based 1985 32km from Girba

Shagareb II Wage based 1985 33km from Girba

Shagareb III Wage based 1985 34km from Girba

Wad Sharifey Wage based 1982 20km from Kassala

Gaderef Um Gargour Land based 1976 35km from Showak

Gezira Fau 5 Wage based 1987 51km from Sinnair (Wad Taktok – Sinnar)

Sinnair

Suki

*

Awad El Seed Wage based 1987 40km from Sinnar (Salma-Sinnar)

Fath El Rahman Wage based 1987 49km Sinnair (Wad Taktok – Sinnar)

Kilo 7 Wage based 1987 51km Sinnar (Wad Taktok – Sinnar)

*There is a minority Eritrean/Aromo refugee population living in Suki consolidated camp. 6. Camp Population: Figures and Status 6.1 Refugees Status Determination During the period 2002- 2005, when the security situation was much improved in Eritrea and Ethiopia, a Cessation Clause was signed between all three countries and UNHCR. This meant that all refugees living in Sudan were required to return back to their home countries and UNHCR encouraged voluntary repatriation. However, in 2005 the situation changed dramatically and UNHCR, following reports of human rights abuse in Eritrea, initiated a refugee status determination (RSD) office. Under the refugee status determination, newly refugees are given the legal right to remain in Sudan under the protection of UNHCR and COR. Unfortunately, the RSD process though a good idea in principle, in practice has been


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hampered by the sheer numbers involved and limited capacity of COR to speedily process the new arrivals. In the Shagarabs I, II and III the delay in the registration process by the COR Protection Team and the related Refugee Status Determination (RSD) interviews for status determination is of serious concern. The situation is further compounded by an ever-increasing backlog of cases. Due to the delayed process the COR Management is now not even able to confirm the actual cases still present in the camp from the backlog cases in their records. COR is currently reviewing the new arrival registration system proposed by UNHCR. The above issues tend to follow a similar pattern in all the camps. The general request from the camp-based refugees is a timeframe for the issuance of ID cards after the verification exercise. There is a second expectation of waivers on payment for such documents or reduced fees for the same. 6.2 New Arrivals and Asylum Seekers The number of refugees and asylum seekers entering Eastern Sudan is remarkably high. The majority of the asylum seekers are Eritreans, followed by Somalis and Ethiopians. The Eritreans are generally young men who flee their country to escape the military conscription and service. Since January 2008, all asylum seekers are sent to Shagareb Reception Centre for registration and settlement in Shagareb II and III (Somalis). The table below presents the number of asylum seekers and total number of approved RSD cases since 2007:

Year Nationality Number of Asylum

Seekers RSD Cases approved Eritrea Somalia Ethiopian Other

2007 8763 1205 950 Nil 10,918 9,673

2008 13994 4933 716 05 19,648 6,551

2009* 8454 367 419 Nil 9,240 2,494*Source: UNHCR, as of 18 April 2009

Due to the recent increase in the number of asylum seekers, the registration and RSD process has gotten to be very slow, prolonging from a usual 2-day to a 2-month process. The National Security is wary of new arrivals and restrictions exist regarding the issuance of travel permits to new arrivals. COR also complains about insufficient staff for the registration and RSD process. There is an urgent need to review the new arrival registration and RSD system to speed up the process. One measure introduced so far for the Somalis is a fast-track process. However, given the high acceptance rate of the asylum seekers based on the countries of origin data, it has been strongly suggested that prima facie status determination could certainly be applied in the case of the Eritreans and Somalis. 6.3 Local Integration and Resettlement Programme While most households are not keen on returning to their land of origin, repatriation is even more unlikely due to deterioration in the peace process in Eritrea. Local integration of refugees into local area development programs is happening in some camps. However, local integration is a very sensitive issue with the Government. Partnership with development


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agencies like UNDP will be rigorously pursued to provide practical ways to encourage the Government’s to see the refugees as an asset rather than a burden to the host communities. Resettlement to a third country (see table below)

Updated data on resettlement to a third country

Year Canada Australia Norway Sweden Grand total Cases Individuals Cases Individuals Cases Individuals Cases Individuals

2008 22 56 1 10 12 21 3 6 131 2009 2 8 6 26 14 30 28 75 189 Total 24 64 7 36 26 51 31 81 320

6.4 Verification Starting mid 2008, UNHCR in collaboration with the Commission on Refugees (COR), conducted a verification of refugees living in twelve camps in Eastern and Central Sudan including the camps assessed under this JAM. The verification exercise consisted in identifying each refugee family and family members according to their residence and then providing each one with an address according to plot, block, zone and camp. Each family member was then issued a photo-slip which included an individual photo, progress case number, individual identification (ID) number as well as name, birth date, address, sex, educational attainment and employment status. The verification exercise was completed in December 2008 and should be implemented as soon as possible and used as a basis for programming activities. The results of the verification exercise will be used for the WFP General Food Distribution. The WFP will require the list of families selected for General Food Distribution (GFD). The new list of targeted beneficiaries will be launched in May 2009 and new ration cards will be issued once the new GFD has been tested successfully. Results of the verification exercise per camp disaggregated by age and sex:

Camp (nationality of refugees)

Age and Sex

Total 0-4 5-17 18-59 60+

M F M F M F M F

Abuda 201 210 511 491 534 673 86 56 2,762

Fau 5 80 61 135 134 206 228 33 17 894

Girba 429 386 906 857 960 1,490 205 133 5,366

Kilo 26 574 511 1,270 1,231 1,395 1,947 263 162 7,353

Shagareb I 786 748 1,762 1,641 1,895 2,545 308 194 9,879

Shagareb II 464 453 1,075 977 1,045 1,438 178 117 5,747

Shagareb III 1,327 1,287 1,710 1,800 3,106 4,437 213 398 4,918

Suki

Awad El Seed 53 38 108 88 121 163 31 13 615

Fath El Rahman 15 16 44 49 60 77 18 15 294

Kilo 7 33 27 70 49 110 129 20 13 451


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Um Gargour 1,433 1,451 1,117 1,250 1,626 2,960 122 176 8,507

Wad Sharifey 1,013 962 2,631 2,638 2,386 4,502 462 455 15,049

Total 4,327 4,460 4,914 5,396 8,313 12,448 689 1,016 61,207Total Males: 24,880 45.19% Total Females 30,182 54.81% Total Children 0-4: 8,787 15.96% Total Children 5-17: 13,499 24.52% Total Females and Children 46,060 83.65%

Source: UNHCR Statistics, April 2009 In each camp, complaints were raised regarding refugees who were missed out during the verification exercise. In response, camp managers were to request the refugee Elders committees to forward lists with the names of the missing refugees. These lists will in turn be given to UNHCR for verification. UNHCR explained that refugees who are now living and working outside the camps will be classified as ‘urban refugees’ during Phase II of the verification exercise. In Wad Sharifey, UNHCR will review the areas of the camp which were missed during the verification exercise and incorporate the refugee families residing within them.

PART IV: FOLLOWING UP ON JAM 2006 7. What has been done since JAM 2006? While addressing the refugees’ food security situation during the JAM 2006, a set of recommendations were agreed up and an action plan formulated. The 2009 JAM assessed the status of implementation of these recommendations. The conclusion is that there has been progress in many areas but unfortunately not in all sectors and across all camps. For example, maintenance and repairs were done in Suki and Um Gargour camps. A regular health surveillance system was started in all camps in November 2008. Health staff were trained on Health Information (HIS) and data collection systems and given computers. Limited Food for Training (FFT) was undertaken with Sudan Open Learning Organisation (SOLO) which proved successful in the high enrolment and retention of participants in the functional adult literacy classes. Regarding community’s ownership of schools, all schools have Parent Teacher Associations (PTA) committees and to some extent school activities are supported. However, many recommendations have not or only partly been followed. The recommendations directly linked to the verification exercise will be fulfilled after the completion of the JAM. Refugees are still not informed about their food entitlements and the food distribution process requires urgent review. Food for Work (FFW) activities were not expanded due to a lack of partners, except a project for seedlings production undertaken by Forest National Corporation (FNC). In the same line, UNHCR have not rigorously pursued self-reliance strategies.


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A recommendation to strengthen the nutrition surveillance system in the camps required technical support and tools. While camp nutritionists and the clinicians were trained on community management of acute severe malnutrition, progress is hindered as the Information Education Communication (IEC) materials are not available. Joint assessments and project follow up are still to be implemented regularly to ensure successful monitoring of planned interventions. The ACORD Income Generation Activities (IGAs) program needs to be aggressively expanded, particularly in line with detailed recommendations arising from the UNHCR 2008 report on the “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan”. Appendix 4 shows a brief overview of the level of implementation of JAM 2006 recommendations up to date. In order to ensure that the 2009 JAM recommendations serve as a guidance tool for program upgrade and activity prioritization, it is again recommended that UNHCR/WFP conduct quarterly assessments of implementation of recommendations of this JAM 2009, as well as the coming 2009 Joint Plan of Action (JPA). In conclusion, the JAM will feed into the 2009 Joint Plan of Action, and in order to operationalise the existing coordination and provide a reference, a revised 2009 tripartite agreement is essential. Finally, there is need to cultivate other partnerships with key UN agencies and line ministries as well as other non-traditional partners.


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PART V: FOOD SECURITY AND LIVELIHOOD 8. Livelihoods Both the elders and women committees came to consensus that 65-75% (in Shagarab I, II, III 80% and Suki even 100%) of the total refugee population is poor, while the middle and relatively better-off are representing 25-30% and 5-10% respectively . Markets and food aid are the main food sources for the assessed refugees. Livelihood opportunities pose a challenge to all implementing partners (IPs) and lead agencies. Most of the refugees are able to earn some money for living from a mediocre farming, employment in nearby towns (mostly old caseload) or agricultural farms, livestock raising, sewing, handicrafts making, small businesses, carpentry, metal and construction work. But more detailed analysis is required to understand how to promote household income sources. FNC has a program to reforest Kilo 26 camp with the active participation of the community with 50 acres of land offered by the host community. Two nurseries were established but need more water pumps for irrigation, to supply 7,000 seedlings to households, reforestation through filling gaps in the existing forests and fences around institutions e.g. schools, offices etc. In 2008, FNC also provided 4,000 trees to households, schools and hospitals in Kilo 26 :where 88 feddans were reserved: 50 feddans in one location and the other 38 feddans in another plot. In Kilo 26, thirty-eight households were involved in vegetables production like okra cucumbers, melons, tomatoes and green feddars. Buyers come to the camps to buy, so the refugees don’t need to get out of the camp to sell their products. There are only few households who possess home gardens due to lack of interest and the unavailability of garden tools, seeds, water and space. In Wad Sharifey and other camps, refugees were discouraged to engage in home gardens because of this lack, although FNC made efforts to provide them with seedlings. All in all, land tenure, inadequate working capital to buy necessary agricultural inputs, poor weather condition, lack of farming techniques and farming equipment are some of the predominant constraints to agricultural production in all land-based camps. Refugee farmers cannot invest in agriculture as a viable livelihood strategy with all these problems confronting them. There is strong need to coordinate with FAO and Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources for timely provision of seeds, agricultural inputs, technical guidance, etc. Below table is a livelihood chart indicating the number of households engaged in various livelihood activities:


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UNHCR beneficiary targets for the year 2008:

Camp

Direct Beneficiaries Total population in the camps

(2008) Crop

production LivestockSmall

business projects

Women ROSCA

Abuda 125 50 50 100 3,935

Fau 5 129 40 0 0

Girba UNHCR did not target Girba in 2007/8 for the above 4 activities but did target Girba in vocational skills training through its IP, SRC

Kilo 26 125 50 50 100 11,000

Shagarab 1 125 50 50 100 22,000

Shagarab 2 125 50 50 100

Shagarab 3 125 50 50 100

Suki 56 51 14 0

Um Gargur 125 50 50 100 9,845

Wad Sharifey

150 150 150 33,375

Total 935 450 450 750 80,155 There’s a massive need to intensify the drive to increase more Income Generating Activities (IGAs) in all camps. Here, vulnerable groups that range between 20-30% of all refugees, require particular attention. UNHCR now is working hand in hand with concerned IPs to address the pressing economic issues in all camps. It needs to be understood that livelihood options beyond agriculture and animals also need to be supported for refugees who have not been working in the areas. UNHCR is committed tto the promotion of other livelihood opportunities including carpentry, metal works, teacher training to allow for livelihood diversification and to encourage self-reliance amongst the more urban refugees but lacks adequate funding to provide start up kits, capital or micro-loans. 9. Coping Strategies The effectiveness of existing coping mechanisms applied by households in response to food shortages was investigated. The use of severe coping mechanisms related to prolonged and reduced food consumption can put the household at risk, while other coping mechanisms erodes the asset base and long-term capability of the household to withstand future shocks. Coping mechanisms that fall into this latter category include, e.g. the sale of assets, consumption of seeds stocks and taking children out of the school. It is important to factor in the use of such negative coping mechanisms, as they are important indicators of food insecurity. In the assessed refugee camps, the most common coping mechanisms involve rationing the available food through limiting portion sizes, reducing the number of meals eaten per day and


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eating less preferred foods. Each employed coping mechanism was weighted based on frequency indicated in the household interviews, since the households were asked about their current employed coping mechanism and its frequency/week. Consequently, households could be categorized into three:

Highly vulnerable: Those that frequently employ many of the severe coping mechanisms at the same time.

Moderately: Those that from time to time use negative coping mechanisms.

Not vulnerable: Those that used no coping mechanism or only some of the less negative mechanisms.

Currently, the majority of the randomly interviewed households are affected by moderate vulnerability, particularly during the last week. The most common reported coping mechanisms were; borrowing to buy food, 3-4 time/week, reduce number of meals by skipping one meal, 2-3 times/week and kinship support. However, some of the interviewed household reported taking children out of school and sale of assets. It was noticed that borrowing as coping mechanism is very frequently employed by all interviewed households. Apparently, borrowing or buying on credit from the traders has become a way of life for these refugees, which indicate their poverty level. The frequent use of negative coping mechanisms could be used as one of the targeting criteria to minimize the current exclusion error and address complaints about targeting which was frequently raised by elders and women groups in the camps. Kinship support is one of the positive coping mechanisms employed among the refugee households, however this is highly stretched under the prevailing poverty levels. There is also seasonal migration to the nearby urban setting, especially by skilled refugee youth. This could positively impact their food security situation. An important aspect of a healthy camp situation is a healthy market system that allows refugees to both borrow and exchange goods. The traders play a key role in the market system and avenues to improve trader/refugee interactions should be formally explored. There is need for a market survey and focus groups with traders to determine their own needs, how to keep up supply for demand, information about distribution dates so that they can prepare accordingly with adequate cash and non-cash resources. 10. Camp Specific Information Abuda Abuda is categorized as a land-based camp, where some of the refugees have access to arable land during the growing season July - September. However, many of the refugees complained about the shortage of rains during the last growing season which led to reduced production. Nevertheless, the delayed signing of the sub-agreement and late release of instalments from UNHCR to ACORD resulted in a late supply of donated agricultural inputs from ACORD, particularly seeds, unavailability of tractors within the camp during land preparation and no access to micro-credit loans remain the major constraints to their agricultural production. The refugees complained that the seeds were not only late but poor in quality. Food aid and markets are the main food sources for Abuda’s refugee population. Other livelihood activities


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in this camp revolve around agricultural activities only during the growing season. Field observations showed that the camp consists of a mixed refugee and Sudanese population, not easily distinguishable. Clear signs of malnutrition among the under five children in the interviewed households were not observed. Shortage of water is one of the main problems cited frequently during all the interviews. Casual labour and agricultural labour are the main available income sources. Employment opportunities are available primarily during the growing season, July-September, when many households work in their own allocated land and/or agricultural labour for others in rain-fed mechanized schemes situated around Abuda camp. Fau 5 Fau 5 is categorized as land-based camp but the refugees have access to land, they don’t have the lease/ownership of their feddans. The camp population mainly rely on seasonal agricultural production. An agricultural income generating project was started in 2005 by UNHCR. In this project, UNHCR through ACORD rents irrigated land from local landowners for the refugees. During the last agricultural season, 65% of the refugees households managed to cultivate sorghum on 2.5 feddans per household as part of the assistance program. Their approximate output was 8-20 bags per household. Refugees who access the rented land and other agricultural inputs do pay back the loans to ACORD and such funds are accredited to a Revolving Fund. Refugees are given loans of SDG 600 for restocking for an animal fattening program or breeding and the loan is repaid after 1 year. However, production is insufficient to cover the needs of cultivating households. The restocking program is also working well according to community leaders. Last year, thirty-nine households were supported under this program. Main factors related to low coverage are limited grazing land and greater interest in food crops production which has high income return compared to livestock. The food security situation in Fau 5 is highly dependent on access to agricultural land and micro credit/financial support. A basic priority for these refugees is access to adequate agricultural land. The refuges also complain that food aid, provided as half rations, is not enough. Girba Girba is classified as wage-based camp. While 40% of the refugees in this camp receive food aid; others purchase from nearby markets. Girba is very close to the main road a fact which facilitates refugee movement in search of work. Refugees in this camp have better access to rent or share land than other camps. Agricultural labor is the main income source, besides firewood/grass collection, charcoal production, sale of water, handcrafts and mat making. However, most of the households interviewed complain of limited income sources. No malnourished children under five were seen in the interviewed households. There is a water shortage problem, especially during the summer season. The main income sources are sale of water and casual agricultural labour. There is a nearby urban market that has potential to support refugee marketing activities. In general, most of the interviewed households are poor. These households believe that their future is tied in to the education of their children and request for cash support to start up income generating activities. Food aid was the most pressing need and priority reported by both elders’ committees and the women group followed by water and education. Vocational training and access to micro


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credits are longer term priorities reported by elders’ committee. While the women group ranked allocation of agricultural lands, introduction of income generating activities (IGAs) and restocking as their long-term priorities. Girba has a fragile food security caused by limited access to agricultural lands and employment opportunities. However, the refugees have relatively better access than other camps to a market in Girba town. This market could potentially provide opportunities for skilled labor and better marketing of refugee products. Kassala State authorities reneged from a previous agreement on the camp closure due to the new administration’s request to discuss subject matter further with the Federal government . Additionally, Kassala State forwarded as a pre-requisite the demand for a multi-million rehabilitation and development plan for the entire Girba locality (Girba town //host community and Girba refugee camp) as a refugee-affected area. Kilo 26 Kilo 26 is a wage-based camp. The main income source for refugees is casual/agricultural wage labour in the New Halfa irrigated scheme. However, the elders committee complained about poor access to agricultural lands for the refugees. Food aid and the markets are the main food sources. Petty trade, casual labour and agricultural labour are the main income sources. Water shortage is cited frequently during all the interviews. Casual labor and agricultural labour in New Halfa irrigated scheme are the main income sources. The local market is well functioning being close to the new Halfa urban setting. However, different types of tax levied on beneficiaries engaged in petty trade were reported. Most interviewed households looked poor and deprived compared to other camps. The majority of the interviewed households see their future in the education of their children. Support of their income through micro credits is also a major need. While a number of them hope for resettlement in a third country. Many of the interviewed households are not thinking of returning home. Food aid was listed as an immediate priority by both the elders’ committee and women group followed by water and education. Allocation of agricultural land and restocking are recorded as the main long-term priority for the elders, while skills training and access to micro credit for the women group. In conclusion, a lack of employment opportunities, limited access to agricultural lands, and movement restrictions are the main factors that negatively impact the fragile food security situation in Kilo 26 camp. There case of the new arrivals has to be mentioned in Kilo 26. The old caseload (majority of the camp population) are free to move outside the camp while camp and national security authorities have placed a restriction on the new arrivals. About 5,000 new arrivals did not undergo RSD processing when Wad Sharifey camp was closed as a reception center. Instead of transferring them to Shagareb, they were transferred to Kilo 26. This discrimination inhibits them to look for job opportunities in the nearby New Halfa. Shagareb I, II, III Shagareb is categorized as a wage-based camp, as the main income source for refugees in this camp is domestic wage labour in Kassala town which is over 130 km away. However, some refugees have access to some arable land during the growing season. Many of the refugees obtain wages as agricultural laborers in the surrounding small farming plots of the host community.


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Local purchase and food Aid are the main food sources for the assessed refugees. Field observations revealed no clear signs of malnutrition among the under five children of the interviewed households. Shortage of water is one of the key concerns cited frequently during the interviews. Casual labour and domestic labour for women refugees in Kassala town are the main available income sources. Relatively, there is a well functioning local market in this camp, as it is the nearest camp to Kassala town. The general status of most interviewed households is poor. There were no risks and threats cited in this camp. The future plan for the majority of the interviewed households lies in the education of their children and external support of their income through micro credits. Food assistance was recorded as top immediate priority for both elders and women group followed by water and health. The elders and women groups together classified education as the first long-term priority. Micro-credit and access to agricultural land ranked next, whilst the women group ranked introduction of development programmes and construction of family latrines after education. Conclusively, as in the camps described before, lack of employment opportunities, limited access to agricultural lands and movement restrictions are the main factors that negatively impact the fragile food security situation in these camps. The Reception Center is now in Shagareb. The situation of the New Arrivals is of serious concern to the JAM mission. RSD process now takes about 2 months. Meantime, the new arrivals are housed in temporary shelters and provided with only food and inadequate NFIs. Since majority of these new arrivals are young Eritrean men escaping military service, many sell the food since they don’t have cooking utensils nor cooking skills. They also tend to move on after a few days upon arrival at the camps. It should be mentioned that the site of the Reception Center is near the Atbara River and in Nov 2008, 21 refugees drowned when escaping from the camp. Suki Suki camp is classified as a wage-based camp surrounded by number of villages and the Suki irrigated agricultural scheme. Community leaders insisted that all of the households are poor, “there is no difference between the refugee households in the camp”. The camp, being quite remote from Kassala, is not well monitored by UNHCR according to the community leaders, who criticized the assessment team sharply for not having implemented recommendations from previous assessments. They complained about lack of feedback to them about actions taken by involved organizations based on previous assessments. Crop production and agricultural labour are the main livelihoods and income sources for refugees in this camp. Crop cultivation is rain fed making subsistence farming highly risky. The last harvest was very poor due to poor rains. Job opportunities are scarce during the agricultural off-season. Thus, households rely heavily on food aid during the off-season. Short-term priorities are food aid and health services. Long-term priorities are resettlement, education services (namely secondary school) and development income generating programmes (small business assistance, and restocking and agricultural programs).


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Um Gargour Um Gargour is categorized as a land-based camp, where main livelihood of the camp population is seasonal agricultural production. Food aid (of which about 40% of the population receive) and local purchase are the main food sources. Several camps were consolidated into Um Gargour; Um Golja, Abu Rakham, Mufada and Hawata in 2004/05, and Um Sagata and Sefawa prior to 2004. Apparently, households who arrived in Um Gargour after 2004 appear to be living under somewhat differently circumstances compared to the original camp population, particularly relating to access to agricultural land access. Prior to the camp consolidation of 2004, the registered refugee’s families were given land for free by the Government of Sudan, where households with five or less members received five feddans, while households with more than five members received ten feddans. It is worth mentioning that refugee’s families do not pay rent for the land. Employment opportunities are available during the agricultural season, from August-January, due to the outstretched harvest in the large-scale farms. Some refugees work as wage labourers in the neighbouring agricultural schemes, for which travel permits are not required. Landowners arrange for wage labourers from the camp to be picked up and dropped off. Movement restrictions are major livelihood threats to these refugees. Weeds and poor soil both restrict agricultural endeavours. Inability to afford to start up a business is a major concern for the graduates from the vocation training programs. All in all, scarcity of employment opportunities, especially during the dry season, limited access to agricultural lands and movement restrictions are the main factors that negatively impact the fragile food security situation in this camp. Wad Sharifey Wad Sharifey camp was registered in 1984 as a refugee camp and formerly established in 1988. It is located 18 km south east of Kassala town., This camp is mainly occupied by Eritreans.. Wad Sharifey is categorized as a wage-based camp, with the main income source for refugees is domestic wage labor in Kassala town. However, there are a few refugees with access to farming land through renting during the growing season. The majority of those refugees work as agricultural labor in the surrounding small farming plots of the host community. In addition to this, local purchase and food aid are the main food sources for the assessed refugees. Field observations revealed no clear signs of malnutrition among the under five children of the interviewed households. Shortage of water is one of the key concerns cited frequently during the interviews. Casual labor and domestic labor for women refugees in Kassala town are the main available income sources. Relatively, there is a well functioning local market in this camp, as it is the nearest camp to Kassala town. The general status of most interviewed households is poor. The future plan for the majority of the interviewed households lies in the education of their children and external support of their income through micro credit. Food assistance, water and education and/or skill training were ranked as top immediate priority for both elders and women group committee. Rehabilitation of the road to Kassala town and access to micro credit are ranked as long term priorities for the women group. Whilst education, access to micro credit and agricultural land are the top long-term priorities for the elders committees.


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Hence, as in most camps, limited employment opportunities, limited access to agricultural lands are the main factors that negatively impact the fragile food security situation in this camp. However, Wad Sharifey’s relatively nearby proximity to the main urban setting of Kassala state positively affects the refugees’ food security.

PART VI: FOOD AID AND DISTRIBUTION MECHANISM 11. General Food Distribution As per the UNHCR/WFP/COR Tripartite Agreement signed in 2007, WFP will provide food to 85,000 refugees from Eritrea located in Kassala, Gezira, Sinnar and Gedaref States. The actual beneficiaries will be selected in accordance with the criteria agreed by UNHCR and WFP and kept under regular review. WFP, subject to the availability of resources, will provide the required cereals, pulses, vegetable oil, sugar, iodized salt, CSB1. These commodities will be transported and handed over to COR at the designated warehouses where COR, with assistance of UNHCR, will be responsible for ensuring the commodities provided by WFP are properly received, handled and accounted for. COR, in cooperation with UNHCR, will ensure proper final commodity distribution at refugee distribution sites, taking necessary measures to prevent unauthorized utilization of commodities and exclusively distributed to beneficiaries covered by the Tripartite Agreement. 11.1 Food Targeting The 2006 JAM recommended that the general food distribution be targeted to vulnerable groups, representing approximately 43% or 37,000 most vulnerable refugees and that the remaining 57% be supported through food for work/food for training initiatives that could bring additional food into the camp without encouraging over-dependency on a free food handout. A food security analysis needs to be done to adequately assess the number of households that are food insecure and would be eligible for FFW/FFT (given that the vulnerable groups will be targeted based on the vulnerability criteria led by ProGres). The ANLA found that on average approximately 43% of refugee households fell into the low dietary diversity group, with a range of 17.5% for some camps up to 80% of the population with low diversity in others. WFP and UNHCR then developed a targeting criterion to determine who should and who should not receive food. Five major indicators were selected, and these included:

1. Households without a breadwinner (without a male between 25 and 55 years old)

2. Single parent households (families with only one adult of working age; 18-59 years old)

3. Households with a chronically ill or disabled member (information certified by health NGO)

4. Households with three or more children under five (recorded by health

1 Please note that the sugar and CSB are for the supplementary and institutional feeding programmes at the

health centres.


33

NGO) 5. HHs with two adults of working age with five or more dependents (under

18 and over 59 years old)

The health and nutrition sector did not play a role in selection for the most part but were used as a form of verification for number three and four criteria listed above. An “institutional envelope” was set-up as a form of safety net for cases that were mistakenly excluded from the initial targeting exercise and unable to meet their food needs. Thus by the end of 2008, a total of 44,786 refugees were receiving food up from the original 37,000 or 43%. There were many objections raised by refugees, elder committees, health and nutrition staff, government officials and implementing partners about the way the targeting criteria was developed and the way it was imposed. The database that the list was based on was outdated and the actual criteria used did not necessarily cover all households that are vulnerable. During the mission, UNHCR agreed to; update the refugee database with household vulnerability details, conduct a registration exercise and jointly with WFP revise the targeting criteria. Further, there is a commitment to better involve the health and nutrition staff in identifying vulnerable households and any change in status (delivery of twins, chronic illness, births, deaths) that could make a family become eligible for the general food distribution. It should be noted that the refugees in the eight camps are not a homogenous entity, individual groups are more or less vulnerable depending on there time of arrival, their skills, their ethnicities/cultural groups and there economic solvency. 11.2 Beneficiary Figures The following data can be found in the respective appendices:

Appendix 5: Number of beneficiaries of Intensive Feeding (IF) and supplementary feeding programme (SFP) in Kassala State.

Appendix 6: Number of beneficiaries of supplementary feeding programme (SFP) per camp.

Appendix 7: Number of planned and actual beneficiaries from 2007 to April 2009 per camp.

Some community leaders believe that all current entire refugees households are suffering from the same magnitude of vulnerability and should all be targeted and receive food assistance, while others acknowledge that there is a disparity of the wealth groups in the camp. Most key stakeholders agreed that while there is a majority of vulnerable individuals, there are also refugees living in the camps who do not require food aid. 11.3 The Food Insecure There is an ongoing question in terms of how to support households that are not extremely vulnerable but are also not fully self-reliant. In terms of a continuum, there is a large grey area of households that need assistance because they are food insecure, at least for a large part of the year, but do meet the vulnerability criteria. For many of the households, the very limited economic and employment opportunities is the primary problem and leads to HH food insecurity because they cannot sufficiently support their families. For this large group, perhaps 30-50% of the population, there is an acute need to enhanced strategies to alleviate food insecurity by providing either access to employment through livelihood development,


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land, IGAs, loans or access to food through food for work, food for training or other food initiatives that go beyond a simple hand out. 11.4 Food Ration As per UNHCR/WFP/COR Tripartite Agreement, WFP is responsible for transportation, storage and handling of food aid up to the camp warehouses (EDP/FDP), while UNHCR is responsible for maintenance and rehabilitation of camp warehouses and transportation and handling of food commodities from the camp warehouses for final distribution to beneficiaries through COR. The current distributed WFP general food basket contains four commodities, namely 450g cereals, 50g pulses, 30g oil and 10g iodized salt per person per day. Targeted refugees are receiving a one month–half ration of this food basket after the harvest season (Oct-March) and a full ration during the traditional lean period (April-Sep.). Targeted beneficiaries do not know their food aid entitlement, but get to know it by practice and have no formal mechanism to complain, in case of shortage in their entitlements. Ration content with nutritional values per person per day Commodity Amnt Kcal Protein Fat Calcium Iron Vit C Vit A Ribofl

Cereal (sorghum)

450g 1,508 49.5g 13.5g 117mg 20.3mg 0 0 0.68mg

Pulses (peas, dried, split) 50g 171 12.3g 0.6g 28mg 2.2mg 1mg 23µgRE 0.10mg

Oil (vegetable) 30g 266 0 30g 0 0 0 270µgRE 0

Salt (iodized) 10g 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0

Total 540g 1,944 61.8g 44.1g 145mg 22.5mg 1mg 293µgRE 0.78mg

% of Requirement 93% 118% 110% 32% 102% 3% 59% 55%

In reviewing the value of the current ration, it is lacking in adequate calories as well as in key micronutrients including calcium, Vitamin A, riboflavin and Vitamin C. The ration, based on the 2006 JAM, was intended to have both sugar and CSB, which would have enhanced the calories and nutritional value of the basket considerably. The current basket is not up to minimum standards and needs to be improved. Unfortunately, even though the JAM recommends that CSB be reintroduced into the ration as an urgent nutritional requirement, the WFP operational constraints due to high costs an spoilage rate that led to its removal in 2007 have not changed in 2009. Under the current constraints it is highly unlikely that CSB will be reintroduced into the GFD ration. Therefore the JAM recommends that both WFP and UNHCR explore alternative means to improve refugee’ access to micronutrients- including the introduction of MNP products (powders, ready-to-use foods, lipid-nutrient supplements); the substitution of other micronutrient rich food, or in the longer term, the development of kitchen gardens throughout the camps.


35

The refugees complained about the small quantity of this food basket, as well as the missing of two food commodities (sugar and CSB) that used to be distributed in the previous years. It was reported that the distributed full ration food aid lasts for approximately 10-15 days of the month. Almost all households that receive food aid were found borrowing to cover the rest of the month which is usually repaid during the agricultural season. The majority of the interviewed households are reducing number of meals eaten by skipping one meal a day, especially during the dry season. Yet, it needs to be mentioned that parts of the food ration, particularly oil and pulses, are often sold to repay loans to local traders. A complaint received from the beneficiaries was in regard of the red sorghum which is a bit hard and costs them more money in milling while the white Fetareta (local sorghum type) is less in cost in milling and preferred by the beneficiaries. It is recommended that the VAM unit helps in assessing the sorghum prices in Gaderef to consider whether local sourcing is feasible. In general, food is the main expenditure item that all interviewed households spend their limited income. The interviewed household have cited that no special food is purchased/prepared for their infants (above 6 months) and the whole family eats together. At the time of the JAM, the current ration gives 50% ration for six months and 100% for six months to the identified vulnerable groups. The justification for this arrangement is from the 2007 ANLA report on refugee household food security status. However, it must be noted that the ration is already being given only to targeted households, based on there vulnerability. This vulnerability criterion (discussed below) does not include households that are meeting their own food needs, and therefore there is no justification for reducing their food for half the year. In this context, vulnerable groups are equally vulnerable throughout the year and the JAM found no difference in their ability to meet their food needs from one season to the next. The JAM will be recommending that those identified for targeted general food distribution be given the full ration throughout the year. Although not assessed during the JAM, there is need to review the feeding and food distribution for asylum seekers and new arrivals. After the 2-3 day wet feeding, asylum seekers waiting for their RSD is provided dry ration for 15 days by COR . This leads to overlapping of food assistance if they receive their RSD status in less than 15 days after receiving their food ration. Once they receive RSD status, they are also given their monthly food allocation. Moreover, the food distribution for asylum seekers and new arrivals is not covered by a formal agreement. 11.5 Logistics, Warehousing, and Storage Below table shows the non food items (NFI) Distribution Report for the Period of January 2007 up to April 2009: NFI Distribution Report for the Period of January 2007 up to April 2009

Description of Items Total Quantity Stock Balance Received Distributed Blankets 70,833 54,584 16,249 Jerry Cans 15,429 15,329 100 Basin, polythene 5,000 1,001 3,999


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Plastic buckets 6,090 2,241 3,849 Sleeping Mats 31,467 28,798 2,669 Plastic Sheetings 8,593 2,552 6,041 Babies blanket 4,385 1,386 2,999 Kitchen sets 15,460 4,769 10,691 Sanitary napkins 9,100 3,920 5,180 Laundry Soap 220,266 26,286 193,980 Mosquitos Nets 35,820 35,820 0

As of the Tripartite Agreement, UNHCR is responsible for maintenance and rehabilitation in all camps. In general, the warehouses are in adequate conditions. Maintenance and rehabilitation work was carried out in some camps. Some camps are pending due to the lack of needed material, such as plastic sheeting for rub halls. Urgent rehabilitation is needed in Fau 5. In some cases, there is bad impact on the food due to bad condition of the warehouse. Without cleaning of the stores, pallets, plastic sheets and other important warehouse needs, the food is exposed to damage and losses. A good storage environment for long storage periods needs to be ensured. Lack of warehouse staff was another issue raised in all camps. Some camps have two to three warehouses depending on the size of the camp. Those with more warehouses have one store keeper and one guard. Also, fencing is major problem experienced in most of the camps and flood drainage channels around the warehouses have not been constructed in some of the camps. The logistics arrangements at sub-office level are as follows: The timetable for food distribution depends on the food availability and reports from the previous distribution so as to start a new month cycle. Apart from quarterly distribution plans prepared based on the expected requirements per modality and beneficiaries, each month, the food aid monitors gather the food distribution reports for the previous month from the various refugee camps in order to check what they have distributed and what need to be tackled. After that they start planning for the new month deliveries in consultation with COR CLU by starting issuing CRNs for the logistics unit in Kassala, according to the population of the camp and the food ration size and availability of food. After the call forward from the program unit, WFP in Kassala receives the food allocation from Port Sudan warehouses and usually undertakes the food dispatches. The logistics unit is to inform the transport contractor to be ready for the dispatches according to CRNs which normally cover for one week plan to different locations or camps. There are no problems regarding food transportation. The same contract is used for the whole year which means the low price is used in the dry season and in the rain season, despite the fact that the transporter faces additional costs in the rainy season. After loading from Kassala the food normally reaches the location the same day which means the distribution normally takes place the next day, except for some locations with big caseloads, like Wad Sharifey, Shagarabs and Kilo 26. In Um Gargour, except for the rainy season, food dispatches to UM Gargour is on a monthly basis. Otherwise, the allocation dispatches are done in two to three trips so that food distribution until a complete mainly NFI allocation is stockpiled in camp store so as to start distribution.


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There are privately owned transport companies available to all the camps for food items, while NFIs transportation is made available by UNHCR/COR. WFP is responsible for transporting food from its warehouses to the different camps. A contract with a privately owned transport company is made with the Regional Office on an annual basis. The transport cost for food items varies depending on the location and accessibility. The cost is on a per metric ton basis depending on the distance of the camp. Roads are accessible in Wad Sharifey and Girba throughout the year. In Suki (although UNHCR should provide guards to protect the stocks), Um Gargour, Fau 5, Abuda and Shagarabs roads are only accessible during dry season. Pre-positioning of food during the rainy season is done for all camps except for Wad Sharifay and Girba. UNHCR is responsible for all NFIs procurement and delivery. The current committed delivery schedule is to provide NFIs in accordance to new arrival figures in Shagareb Reception Centre and the actual deliveries in 2007-2009 were as indicated in the NFI distribution table above. The warehouses equipment is generally very poor lacking in minimum warehouse management tools. The hygiene is very poor as there are not enough brooms neither regular staff to do the job. Also, there are no weighing scales except in Wad Sharifey where it was brought recently, no safety equipment, no fences, no guards, and in some locations like Fau 5 and Suki camps there is no storekeeper. A finance assistant is covering for the storekeeper for Fau 5 and Suki camps, a distance not less than 100km between them - sometimes using the public transportation to go from Suki to cover the distribution in Fau 5. No training has taken place in the last eight years for the warehouse staff. The JAM found that many warehouse management staff are not aware of the UNHCR/WFP/COR tripartite agreement. The lack of training has contributed to the deterioration in standards, especially in terms of stacking, flood barriers, record keeping and fumigation. Regarding empty containers, information gathered showed that empty containers from all the camps are sent to COR/CLU warehouses in Es Showak. The containers are then put up for bidding process. Proceeds from the bidding are used to pay guards and store keepers and also cleaners and cleaning materials however, this process needs to be more transparent amongst partners. 11.6 Food Distribution In all camps distribution is carried out in organized manner, via the following ; information dissemination to camp population, verification of ration cards by the store keeper according to the master list and food delivery to the beneficiaries. Representatives from COR, WFP, UNHCR and camp elders should oversee the food distribution. Most of distribution centres are not equipped with shades to protect beneficiaries from the sun and rain, specially elders, women and children or latrines. The mission revealed that in many camps NFIs were distributed only few years ago and only to vulnerable groups. Weighing scales in most of the camps are not functioning and/or not available, except for Wad Sharifey and Abuda. The team found that scooping utensils in all camps are not standardised. The food distribution system in all of the camps needs a complete over-haul, from


38

infrastructure, to distribution committees to the actual distribution modality. The JAM found that refugees were not informed about the timing of distributions or the quantity they should receive of each commodity. The JAM was concerned about the lack of transparency in the distribution process, the lack of women’s participation in the distribution and the lack of accountability and regular monitoring of the distribution by UNHCR and WFP. The JAM urgently recommends that the next distribution (July 2009) be undertaken in accordance with distribution guidelines and with full participation and monitoring by UNHCR and WFP. Food distribution committees with equal women participation should be organised without delay. The Eastern Sudan camps do not have food distribution committees, but rather the elder groups are the refugee focal point for the distribution. In many camps the refugee elders did not feel they have an adequate or appropriate role and were used for crowd control and organization but little else. The JAM recommends the immediate establishment of refugee food committees that ensure representation from minority ethnicities and at least 50% participation of women. The food distribution centre is located in the centre of the camp. This centre is usually not too far from the targeted households. However, beneficiaries often have to stay about 3-4 hours at the distribution centre directly under the sun, as there is no shade and water at these distribution centres. Shelter for distribution centres (except for Suki camps), as the rest of the camps, are in very poor condition or not available at all in some camps. Normally distribution is under the sun which is uncomfortable and even dangerous for the beneficiaries and the scoopers. The accuracy of entitlements that reach the beneficiaries is checked by weighing random samples during distribution. However, poor scooping is still an issue and requires special focus in the coming months. The scoops are not standardized regularly and the scoopers are not trained to give accurate quantities for the beneficiaries and to avoid shortages in food distributions. Several camps reported that the validated scooping materials had been “adjusted” and it was not clear if they were able to scoop accurately. No posters are available to shows the entitlement quantity to be distributed for the beneficiaries during the distribution. Also, there are no weighting scales so that the beneficiaries could cross check the quantity received immediately after they take their rations. This would improve the whole distribution mechanism as it helps to ensure that they have received a complete ration. In many camps, complaints about shortages of food at the end of the distribution in some items like sorghum were given. The most likely reason was due to poor scooping practices and non-standardized scooping materials. The distribution points are using the same scoops for different types of sorghum which is affecting the amount given and causing inconsistencies in the amount beneficiaries are receiving. UNHCR needs to provide new scoops to the camps for food distribution and these scoops should be calibrated on a quarterly basis.

The JAM found that households were “paying” to receive the food each month. The elders committee collects the money (between 0.2-0.5 SDG/person) from each targeted food beneficiaries in order to pay the scoopers and off-loaders in each camp. The extremely poor households were exempt from this payment in some camps. UNHCR agreed at the beginning of the year to pay for off-loading through 2009, but this will have to again negotiated for 2010 and beyond. In terms of scooping, UNHCR and WFP believe that scoopers should be


39

voluntary where possible and the JAM recommends that it be discussed with the newly created food distribution committees if payment must be given. If scoopers are to be paid, the money needs to come from the agencies, rather than the refugees and it is recommended that the proceeds of the sale of empty sacks and cans be used to pay the scoopers, assuming it is sufficient. The proceeds needs to be reviewed and utilization of the proceeds to be jointly determined as per the Tripartite Agreement. 11.7 Market Survey The regular food distribution in the camps has no impact on the cereal price in the market. Meetings with traders revealed that the average price of sorghum is about 92 SDG and while three months ago it was 78 SDG. Twelve years ago the average price of sorghum was 100 SDG, higher this year due to low production. The volume of cereals traded varies from one camp to another depends on the population in the camps. It is noted that the cereals are originally from Gederef state and other areas surrounding the camps. The information gathered in the market, showed that in some camps the refugees sold the red cereal to buy FATARITA, the local white sorghum variety. In some cases, refugees borrow cereals from local market.

PART VII: HEALTH, WATER AND SANITATION SERVICES 12. Nutrition and Health The health and nutrition services in the camps are classified into curative, preventive and nutrition services. The curative services are provided in outpatient and in-patient departments (OPD and IPD). Nutrition (selective feeding program) is a vital component of both curative and preventive health services. All services are provided free of charge to refugees and people living in the villages surrounding the camps. The Ministry of Health (MoH) provides drugs for treatment of uncomplicated malaria and TB, and vaccines. Other drugs and medical equipments are supplied by UNHCR. The medical referral system from the State health facilities to Khartoum Teaching Hospital had been reviewed few months ago. However, the annual budget allocated is not enough to meet all the needs. The mental health services are limited to referral of severe cases to the state hospitals and follow up at camp level of cases discharged from these hospitals. The TB control program operates in collaboration with National TB Program at the state level. Significant efforts have been made by the sector to upgrade knowledge and skills of health service providers (in the camp health facilities) through various training workshops in a way of capacity development for sustainable human resources. Reproductive health services have been well integrated within all primary health activities carried out. However, despite the capacity at the health facility level and high coverage of antenatal consultation (above > 90%) in all camps, 50% of women prefer delivering at home. All of them are attended (at home) by trained health workers.


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It is the sector priority to improve the reproductive health services and ensure that all women of reproductive age have access to good quality reproductive health care. Relevant interventions will be intensified through community mobilization, capacity building and technical support from MoH, and involvement of other UNHCR sectors. The HIV/AIDS prevention and care program is not well established and limited to awareness campaigns in all camps, condom promotion and distribution, mobile Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) in Wad Sharifey camp, referral of eligible cases for their integration into the national ARV program and nutrition support to people living with HIV/AIDS. Community management of acute malnutrition is piloted in 3 camps. This strategy will be expanded to other camps by September 2009. The sector works and coordinates with other units at suboffice as well as regional office level, various departments of MoH, WHO, UNICEF, Sudan National AIDS Control Program (SNAP)_and WFP. 12.1 Nutrition Situation Expressive indicator for the nutrition situation in the camps is the Global Acute Malnutrition (GAM) rate. The table below presents the results of the survey in September 2006, January/February 2009 and to a limited extent September 2007. No nutrition survey was undertaken in year 2008. Unfortunately, the nutrition survey result for 2007 is not comparable to 2006 and 2009 surveys due to different methodology used in 2007, which is a probability proportional to population cluster survey. Through this methodology camps were divided into different livelihood zones. One of these zone is the wage based camps zone that cover five refugee camps including Shagareb I, II, III, Kilo 26, Girba, Fau 5 and Suki camps. The second zone is the land based camps that includes Um Gargour and Abuda, while the third one is Wad Sharifey which was considered as a reception centre at that time. While in 2009 and 2006 the systematic cluster sampling was used in high populated camps, and the house to house methodology was being used in small camps (<5000 persons), the result of GAM in 2009 and 2006 is calculated on individual camp base compare to 2007 it was by zone. However, the result of Wad Sharifey survey could be comparable because it was considered as individual reception zone.

GAM rate

Camps September 2006 September 2007 Jan / Feb

2009

Abuda 8.1% Data not comparable 13.6%

Fau 5 9.6% Data not comparable 8.3%

Girba 9.7% Data not comparable 16.1%

Kilo 26 10.3% Data not comparable 14.2%

Shagarabs 10.9% Data not comparable 20.1%

Suki 13.6% Data not comparable 6.0%

Um Gargour 12.5% Data not comparable


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Camps September 2006 September 2007 Jan / Feb

2009

Wad Sharifey 15.5% 22.7% 15.5% The recent survey shows that all camps except of Suki have a GAM rate far above the accepted standard rate in protracted refugee settings of 5%. These high numbers are unacceptable as acute malnutrition has a severe impact on health. If this is not addressed immediately, it will create devastating health problems in the long-term. The trend since September 2006 shows that while the rate decreased in Fau 5 and Suki, and is stable in Wad Sharifey, it increased by around 5-10% in all other camps. This is alarming. The table below shows the results of the nutrition survey undertaken in March 2009.

Results of UNHCR Nutrition Survey, March 2009:

Camp GAM SAM Comment

Shagarabs 21.2%

7.9%

(79)

Very critical nutrition situation. Very high rate of SAM. Over 37% of the children who are malnourished are classified as “severely” malnourished

Um Gargour 25.5% (211)

7.9%

(65)

Very critical nutrition situation. Very high SAM. Thresholds well above standards.

Kilo 26 15%

(99)

1.8%

(12)

Serious global acute malnutrition but severe malnutrition is acceptable.

Abuda 14.1%

(64)

2.4

(11)

Serious malnutrition and the SAM is a bit high given the overall rate.

Girba 17.2%

(133)

3.7

(29)

Serious malnutrition. Unacceptably high with severe cases over 20% of all malnutrition and above cut-offs.

Fau 5 7.1%

(11)

2.6%

(4)

Higher than the official 5% cut-off, but not overtly worrisome. 4 cases of severe speak for need for better coverage and referral.

Suki 7.5%

(10)

2.3%

(3)

Higher than the official 5% cut-off, but not overtly worrisome. Need for better coverage and referral of severe cases.

Was Sharifey 13.2%

(87)

1.2%

(8)

Serious malnutrition but not at crisis levels. Severe cases are acceptable.

Moderate situation – serious situation – critical situation


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As can be seen from the table, we have two camps in a critical situation (Shagareb and Um Gargour), we have four camps is a serious situation (Kilo 26, Abuda, Girba, and Wad Sharifey) and two camps in a moderate situation (Fau 5 and Suki). A short term intervention suggested is to establish a blanket feeding program in the 6 camps with the worst nutrition survey results (Shagareb, Um Gargour, Wad Sharifey, Abuda, Kilo 26, and Girba) for all children 6month to 3 years for 3-6 months. A baseline, mid-line and final MUAC screening will be done of enrolled children to measure impact. The table below shows the anaemia prevalence results from the survey undertaken in 2009.

Anaemia prevalence results from survey 2009:

Camp Severe

<8g/dl

Moderate

8.1-9.5g/dl

Mild

9,6-11g/dl

Global

<11g/dl

Abuda 6.1% 11.4% 31.5% 49.0%

Fau5 12.2% 20% 21.1% 53.3%

Girba 7.84% 15.7% 32.7% 56.2%

Kilo26 5.6% 17.6% 36.8% 60.0%

Shagarabs 5.5% 16.6% 28.8% 50.9%

Suki 19.5% 20% 30.5% 70.0%

Um Gargour 17,42% 16,7% 31.8% 65.9%

Wad Sharifey 8.97% 9.62% 40.4% 59.0% The trends of the nutrition status show different results. Some of the camps show improvement such as Wad Sharifey, Fau 5 and Abuda. The others show deterioration. The mortality rate is below the standard which is good due to early detection of the cases. Regarding the linkage between diarrhoeal disease among children and different camp water situations, the following can be said: The water supply in the refugee camps improved this year since January 2009. Comparison was done between the number of diarrhoea cases in the first 3 month of 2008 and the ones in 2009. The result shows improvement in the incidence of diarrhoea in all the refugee camps. The plan for children under 5 years under the WFP supplementary feeding program (SFP) for more than 12 weeks without improvement is to refer them to the medical doctor for re-assessment and re-evaluation of the medical problem in order to identify appropriate treatment and re-admission if needed. If the problem is related to food shortage at HH level, it should be solved by provision of ration card to his family. The community-based management of acute malnutrition (CMAM) is implemented in Shagareb, Kilo 26 and Wad Sharifey camps since December 2008. According to the consultant that conducted the training of this CMAM program, it is a pilot project and needs re-assessment. Yet, according to the Health Information System (HIS) result and the implementing partners (IPs) that implement the program it is a very effective program, as it


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has a good recovery rate. There is a need to expand the program to other camps; the plan was already ready for implementation early May. The WFP institutional feeding programme to support HIV/AIDS and TB patients needs to be maintained. The aim of this programme is to encourage adherence to ART and TB medcal treatment by providing additional food requirements beyond the 2100 kcal to the sick individual and ensuring that their households are food secure. 12.3 Camp Specific Information Abuda

Magnitude of malnutrition: GAM = 13.6% (99) and SAM = 1.8% (12): GAM rate is above normal but severe malnutrition rate is acceptable

Nutrition surveys are not regular because of lack of capacity and delay in recruitment of nutrition expert by UNHCR

Regular MUAC screening is ongoing so as to implement CMAM Staff needed: 1 nurse, 1 midwife, 1 vaccinator, 2 assistant nutritionists and 1 cook Morbidity - main illnesses: Acute Respiratory Infections (ARI) (pead in dry season)

and malaria (peak in rainy season) Outbreaks of acute watery diarrhoea in July 2006, 2007 and 2008 were registered. Health system analysis: Essential medical equipment available and regular supply of

essential drugs is improving. workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is not in place General health issues

– Fully vaccinated rated: 73.3%, vaccination programme done on regular bases each month

– Vitamin A Supplementation rate 100% – Deworming rate: 100% – Delivery conducted by skilled health workers: 91% – Family planning coverage: 1% – Treatment as per IMCI guidelines is not implemented – Access to HIV prevention measures including availability and use of condoms

are there. – No limitations to access to health services – The last mosquito net distribution was in 2008 – Priorities: To improve Mental Health Services, RH/HIV/AIDS related services

Girba

hospital provides PHC services in terms of reproductive health IMCI, Vaccination Growth Monitoring , Selective feeding programmes, home visits programme in additional to IPD services with referral system in place

Morbidity - main illnesses: ARI (peak in dry season especially during winter), malaria (peak late rainy season) and diarrhoea (peak during early raining season)

Acute watery diarrhoea was registered in August 2007 Health system analysis: essential medical equipment available and regular supply of


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essential drugs is improving. workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is NOT in place. VCT, PTCMTC needed to be

established in this camp General health issues

– EPI program is well established in coordination with MOH, the routine vaccination is going on smoothly together with other campaigns such as polio, vitamin A and deworming campaign

– Full vaccination rate is: 132.5% – Vitamin A Supplementation rate 100% – Deworming rate: 100% – Delivery conducted by skilled health workers: 92% – Family planning coverage: 1% – Access to HIV prevention measures including availability and use of condoms

are there. – no VCT services available – No limitations to access to health services – Priorities: To improve RH/HIV/AIDS related services, ambulance

Fau 5

magnitude of malnutrition: GAM 17,4% , SAM 2,1% Morbidity - main illnesses: ARI (peak in dry season especially during winter), malaria

(peak during and after rainy season) There is no out break of disease reported since 2006 There is one Health centre established during 2006 by UN Habitat and consist of:

OPD room, laboratory, pharmacy, 2 wards for inpatient activity, nutrition centre, drug store, good power and water-sanitation supply, small delivery room without waiting room, staff is adequate.

Not available: No Oxygen cylinder for emergency, IMCI programme not providing yet, no dressing room, no waste disposable (Icinerator), deficiency of pediatric suspension, no workplace policy for HIV\AIDS at the camp, shortage of Emonc and equipment, no functioning MCH, Emergency surgery, x-rays services

health staff addressing SGBV ,but no program implemented of SGBV No regular survey use of MoH protocol in case management of malaria, diarrhea, ARI and STI. international Programme to control TB is not well established and MDR No limitation to access health services apart from training and salary priority to health care improved nutritional status HIV and TB control main challenge facing SFP is timing of distribution, quantity and storing problem

which lead spoiling of CSB. special feeding for TB and elderly CMAM is not conducting yet no complementary food from UNHCR and no other agency giving food beyond the

ration basket women are not sensitized on HIV and nutrition no active IYCF activities General health issues

– 84% immunization coverage, 100% Vitamin A supplementation – 60% of delivery conducted by skilled trained clinician – family planning program implemented, but contraceptive pills not available

(due to community tradition and culture), 0% condom use


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– 79% of ANC clients – 42% of children are exclusively breast fed, 100% of mother imitating breast

feeding during the first hour of delivery, most of ladies feed their infant what they are cooking to the whole family

– 100% of children <1 year immunized against measles – 100% coverage and use of ITNs

Kilo 26

hospital which provides PHC services in terms of reproductive health, Vaccination Growth Monitoring , Selective feeding programmes including CMAM, home visits programme in additional to IPD services with referral system in place


Acute watery diarrhoea was registered in August 2007 Health system analysis: Essential medical equipment available and regular supply of

essential drugs is improving The workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is not in place, VCT, PTCMTC needed to be

established in this camp. General health issues

– EPI program is well established inkilo26 in coordination with MOH, the routine vaccination is going on smoothly together with other campaigns such as polio, vitamin A and Deworming campaign

– Full vaccination rate is: 73.8% – Vitamin A Supplementation rate 100% – Deworming rate: 100% – Delivery conducted by skilled health workers: 91% – Family planning coverage: 1% – Access to HIV prevention measures including availability and use of condoms

are there. – No limitations to access to health services – Priorities: hospital electricity. improve RH/HIV/AIDS related services,

Suki

Magnitude of malnutrition: GAM 17,1% , SAM 1,7% Morbidity - main illnesses: ARI (peak in dry season especially during winter), malaria

(peak during and after rainy season) no out break of disease reported since 2006 main health centre and satellite health centre existent Facilities: The main health centre consist of: OPD room, laboratory, pharmacy, 2

unused wards for inpatient activity, nutrition centre, drug store, good power and water-sanitation supply, Tehere small delivery room without waiting room, shortage of Emonc and equipment

staff is not adequate: there is only 1 lab tech rotated for all 3 health centre, inspite of long distant from each other and this consume time and disturb the health services; there is no vaccinator for the three camps, there are just 3 medical assistant and 3 nurses

Not available: no Oxygen cylinder for emergency, no workplace policy for HIV\AIDS at the camp, IMCI programme not providing yet, no waste disposable (Icinerator), deficiency of peadiatric suspension

Health staff addressing SGBV cases, but no program in place


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use of protocol of MoH in case of malaria, diarrhea, ARI and STI International Programme to control TB is not well stablished and no MDR. No limitation to access health services apart from staffing (number, training and

salary) No regular survey The main challenge facing SFP is timing of distribution, quantity and storing problem

which lead spoiling of CSB no complementary food from UNHCR and no other agency giving food beyond the

ration basket. General health issues

– 44% of immunization coverage and 100% Vitamin A supplementation – % of delivery conducted by skilled trained clinician is 92% – family planning program implemented, but contraceptive pills not available

(community tradition and culture restrict this program), 2% of condom use – 44% of children <1 year immunized against measles. – 100% of ANC clients – No functioning MCH, Emergency surgery, x-rays services. – The priority to health care is improve nutritional status, HIV and TB control. – special feeding for TB and elderly – CMAM is not conducting yet. – 4\10 of children are exclusively breast fed, 100% of mother initiating breast

feeding during the first hour of delivery, most of ladies fed their infant what they are cooking for the whole family

– 6\10 women have idea about HIV and nutrition – No active IYCF activities – 100% use of ITNS

Shagarab I, II, III

Facilities: 3 out reach health centres which provide PHC services in terms of reproductive health, Vaccination Growth Monitoring, Selective feeding programmes including CMAM in 2 centres, home visits programme in additional to IPD services with referral system in place

Shagrab is worst camp in terms of health and nutrition that is because of poor water and sanitation in additional to that Shagrap is reception center for the new arrival who needs additional health services

Magnitude of Malnutrition: GAM = 20.1% (213) and SAM = 7.9% (79): this is a very critical nutrition situation; over 37% of the children who are malnourished are classified as “severely” malnourished

Morbidity - main illnesses: ARI (peak in dry season especially during winter), malaria (peak during and after rainy season)

Outbreaks of acute watery diarrhea in 2006 and 2007 were registered. Health system analysis: Essential medical equipment available and regular supply of

essential drugs is improving. The workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is not in place No challenges faced by the selective feeding program. Regular MUAC screening is

ongoing. Family ration is given for special groups (HIV andTB) and care taker in the hospital

The nutrition surveys are not conducted regularly because of lack of capacity and delay in recruiting nutrition expert by UNHCR.

General health issues


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– Full vaccination rate: 81.9% – Vitamin A Supplementation rate 100% – Deworming rate: 100% – Delivery conducted by skilled health workers: 98% – Family planning coverage: 0% – The health facilities do not provide treatment as per IMCI guidelines – Access to HIV prevention measures including availability and use of condoms

are there. – No limitations to access to health services – Priorities: To improve Mental Health Services, IMCI and RH/HIV/AIDS

related services Um Gargour

Facilities: 1 out reach health centre, which provide PHC services in terms of reproductive health, Vaccination Growth Monitoring , Selective feeding programmes in two centres , home visits programme in additional to IPD services with referral system in place

weak IYCF program drugs and other medical supply management system from procurement to dispensing

needs to be improved cold chain water supply not existent reproductive services with due to consideration to basic emONC and initiation of

PMTCT and VCT at hospital need to be improved staffing capacity need to be developed need for FFT program targeting <5 children’s mothers in health and nutrition

Wad Sharifey

Magnitude of Malnutrition: GAM February 2009 13.2%, SAM 1.2% compared to September 2007 GAM was 22.7%, SAM 2.2% result showed an improvement in nutrition status in Wad Sharifay, the improvement because of implementing CMAM in November 2008 in additional to regular SFP provided by WFP

Facilities: 3 out reach health centres which provide PHC services in terms of reproductive health IMCI, Vaccination Growth Monitoring, Selective feeding programmes including CMAM in two centres, home visits programme in additional to IPD services with referral system in place


No challenges faced by the selective feeding program. Regular MUAC screening is ongoing. Family ration is given for special groups (HIV and TB)

Meningitis outbreak in April 2007 and acute watery diarrhoea in October/ November 2007 were registered

Health system analysis: Essential medical equipment available and regular supply of essential drugs is improving. However, there is a lack of latrines and home visitors’ office in 2 health facilities. The netting of the windows and doors need to be improved. The incinerators, hands washing facilities in the hospital and three health centres need to be rehabilitated

workplace policy on HIV/AIDS is not in place, VCT, PTCMTC needed to be established in this camp

The nutrition surveys are not conducted regularly because of lack of capacity and delay in recruiting nutrition expert by UNHCR.


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General health issues – EPI program is well established in coordination with MOH, the routine

vaccination is going on smoothly together with other campaigns such as polio, vitamin A and de-worming campaign

– Full vaccination rate is: 70.8% – Vitamin A Supplementation rate 100% – De-worming rate: 100% – Delivery conducted by skilled health workers: 99% – Family planning coverage: 1% – 100% of health facilities provide treatment as per IMCI guidelines – Access to HIV prevention measures including availability and use of condoms – Mobile VCT services are available – No limitations to access to health services – Priorities: To improve RH/HIV/AIDS related services, sewage system and

equipped operational theatre. 12.4 Mental Health Human Appeal International (HAI) is currently running a small mental health program in the Shagarabs, Girba, Um Gargour and Kilo 26. They have a psychologist who moves between the camps and does assessments, write-ups, case-studies, and analysis. However, the actual treatment is very limited due to a lack of dedicated vehicle for her to move from camp to camp and the fact that without a psychiatrist to prescribe specific drugs, she is not able to provide the appropriate medication to many of the cases. A recently concluded general assessment found 205 cases in the 6 camps requiring support, with ages ranging from 8 to 62 years. The 19-40 year old age group has the highest proportion of mental health issues with a fairly even break between men to women. Approximately 75% of the cases are suffering from trauma-related disorders and about 40% are not able to meet their own daily care needs and require special support. The following is recommended: A psychiatrist is hired who can visit the camps once a month and see the most extreme cases. The psychiatrist can offer intensive counseling and determine what drugs might be indicated. A clear essential mental health drug list can be created by the psychologist and signed by medical coordinator. If UNHCR provides the budget, HAI can purchase these drugs directly and ensure they are tightly controlled. Finally, it is recommended that the psychologist be supported to undertake community sensitization and offer training to staff on mental health awareness, social support and recognizing indications of trauma. 13. Water and Sanitation Services The main sources of water in the six camps are river and canal water, while ground water is extracted from the deep boreholes in the remaining 2 camps. The average water supply in all camps is around 16 liters per person per day. Water shortage is prevalent during the summer time and this causes friction within the community. Chlorine is used to disinfect drinking water. As a safety net microbial testing is conducted before, during and after the rainy season. A preparedness plan is implemented in coordination with all the stakeholders in the east to combat the incidence of acute watery diarrhoeal cases during rainy season.


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El Sugya Charity Organization (ESCO) came on board at the beginning of the 2009 as an implementing partner to provide water and sanitation services in the refugee camps and surrounding host areas. Sanitation related activities remained to be prioritized. Average access to latrines is about 24%. ESCO has already started sanitation-related activities in all camps for the year 2009 to keep the camps clean. Integration of hygiene promotional activities in school curriculum and health centres is strongly recommended to sensitize refugees to a healthy and clean living. Garbage collection and management is still causing environmental ill-health. Although there has been a lot of improvement in garbage collection in the camps, refugees must be taught how to dispose garbage properly and not leave it to ESCO to merely collect them.

PART VIII: EDUCATION, PROTECTION AND GENDER 14. Education Education is a key tool to equip children with essential skills and abilities. In Eastern Sudan refugee camps, there are 17 basic primary schools. In general, education is more and more accepted in the refugee population. In Abuda, for instance, education appeared as the top long term priority for both elders and women. Total enrolment is 9,069 children (4,552 girls, 4,517 boys). Refugees constitute 82% of the total enrolment. There are 161 teachers (82 females, 79 males). The teacher student ration vary from school (see table below) with an average of 1:56. UNHCR fully provided funds to cater for all basic primary education requirements – from classroom construction to school supplies. COR is in charge of implementation. In each school, there is a parents teachers association (PTA) committee supporting the school administration management of the school affairs. All schools are grade 8 standard and some of them (Kilo 26, Shagarabs 123, Wad Sharifey) operate on a double shift system due to limited classrooms space and facilities. The majority of the schools are mixed while a few are single sex – boys/girls (refer to table below).

March 2009 – Summary Sheet

School Girls Boys Total No of teachers

Teacher pupil Ratio

Abuda : mixed 389 442 831 15 1:55

Fau 5: mixed 132 310 442 8 1:55

Girba: girls 454 0 454 9 1:50

Girba: boys 0 451 451 9 1:50

Girba: mixed 213 205 418 8 1:52

Suki

Kilo 7: mixed 305 223 528 8 1:66

Fath El Rahman: mixed 208 238 446 8 1:55

Awad El Seed 257 102 359 8 1:44


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School Girls Boys Total No of teachers

Teacher pupil Ratio

Kilo 26 D: mixed 202 221 423 11 1:38

Kilo 26: mixed 201 230 431 8 1:53

Shagarab 1: mixed 425 449 874 8 1:109

Shagarab 2: mixed 331 401 732 8 1:91

Shagarab 3: mixed 230 241 471 8 1:58

Um Gargour: girls 525 0 525 8 1:65

Um Gargour: boys 0 491 491 8 1:61

Um Gargour: mixed 253 250 503 8 1:62

Wad Sharifey: mixed 427 263 690 12 1:57

Total 4,552 4,517 9,069 161 The refugee education system is in line with the national education system of the Ministry of Education (MoE). Most of the teachers are recruited by the MoE. Trainings are organised for those who need capacity strengthening in specific areas, however, funds are limited. According to MoE requirements, grade 8 schools are supposed to have a ceiling of 13-15 teachers, in refugee schools the average number of teachers is 8. While the drop-out rate in government schools stands at 5%, the drop-out rate in the camp schools ranges between 15-17%. Reasons vary among the following:

Financial hardships, most families have no steady jobs to earn a meaningful income to support their families and meet the educational needs of their children.

Negative cultural attitude towards education in general and girl-child education in particular.

Early marriages of upper grade girls. Frustration due to the limited opportunities to continue with secondary education. Need to work and search for jobs (especially boys) to contribute to family income.

Shagareb, Kilo 26, Wad Sharifey, Abuda camps have particularly have high drop-out rates. School feeding should be considered as an incentive for girls’ education but more importantly as a FFT incentive to keep girls in school, women in literacy classes and to offer food security for households that are withdrawing children for labour purposes. The WFP will do a feasibility study on setting up school feeding in the camps with UNHCR and COR. In 2008 May, 3 schools (Um Gargour, Mixed, Boys, and Girls) were handed over to the MoE Gaderef state under the local integration initiative. A tripartite agreement was signed between COR, UNHCR and Gaderef state. Regarding school facilities, rehabilitation of classroom blocks have been done in some schools (Abuda, Kilo 26, Wad Sharifey, Girba Girls and Boys Awadseed, Kilo 7), while others still need urgent rehabilitation especially the Shagarabs I, II, III and Fat el Rahman. In principle, basic primary education in all camps is free. However the PTA and school management collect fees per student in some schools ranging from 20 piasters-5SDG. For


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examination fees varies from 22SDG-50SDG depending on the states where the schools are located. Reasons for collecting fees include:

School Fees and Reasons

Abuda • 35 SDG for the State examination for grade 8 • 5 SDG for registration at the time of starting school (grade

one) • 1.5 SDG/term as examination fees from class to other. • 0.5/month SDG paid for a voluntary teacher • When the distributed books and notebooks are not enough

parents pay extra money to cover the gap Fau 5 • 35SDG for exams and 15SDG for transport during

examination time Girba: Mixed • 35 SDG for the State examination for grade 8

• 5 SDG for registration at the time ofstarting school (grade one) • 1.5 SDG as examination fees from class to other. • 0.5 SDG paid for a voluntary teacher • When the distributed books and notebooks are not enough

parents pay extra money to cover the gap Kilo 26: • 35 SDG for the State examination for grade 8

• 5 SDG for registration on the time of entering the school (grade one)

• 1.5 SDG/term as examination fees from class to other. • 0.5/month SDG paid for a voluntary teacher • When the distributed books and notebooks are not enough

parents pay extra money to cover the gap Shagarab I, II, III • 5 SDG for registration on the time of entering the school

(grade one) • 1.5 SDG/month paid for a voluntary teacher

Suki

Awad El Seed • 35SDG for exams and 15SDG for transport during examination time

Kilo 7 • 35SDG for exams and 15SDG for transport during examination time

Fath El Rahman

• 35SDG for exams and 15SDG for transport during examination time

Um Gargour: Girls/Boys/mixed

• 22SDG for examination per candidate

Wad Sharifey: mixed

• No fees collected

UNHCR/COR have found different solutions to this extra fees issue: For examination fees, COR includes examination-related costs in the annual budget and provides the entire required student’s school supply as well as text books and other instruction materials. Moreover, in all grade 8 schools more teachers are recruited to meet the MoE standard (13 teachers). Inventory of what is needed

School Renovations, constructions


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School Renovations, constructions

Abuda • about 75 More desks • Construction of two pit latrine blocks of 4 units

each • Construction of three more classes of approx. 50

students capacity • More text books (assorted)

Fau 5 • Latrine construction Girba: Mixed • Major repairs of the existing classroom blocks, and

teachers quarters • Latrine construction- 2 blocks • Fixing the fence

Girba: Girls • Repair the fence • Construction of 2 extra classrooms (grade 7-8) • Supply about 50 desks.

Girba: Boys • Repair the fence • Recruit at least 5 more teachers

Kilo 26 • Additional teachers Shagarab I • Renovation of the existing classroom blocks in the

three schools • Procure about 100 desks • Recruit at least 6 more teachers. (to meet the MoE

standard-13teachers for a grade 8 school) • More text books (assorted)

Shagarab II • Renovation of the existing classroom blocks in the three schools

• Procure about 75 desks • Recruit at least 6 more teachers(to meet the MoE

standard-13teachers for a grade 8 school) • More text books (assorted)

Shagarab III • Renovation of the existing classroom blocks in the three schools

• Procure about 50 desks • Recruit at least 5 more teachers. • More text books (assorted)

Suki

Awad El Seed • Repair of the remaining block • Latrine -2 blocks

Kilo 7 • Latrine -2 blocks • Repair teachers quarters.

Fath El Rahman • Construction/Repair of all the classroom blocks • Construction of pit latrines (two blocks) • Repair teachers quarters • Procure desks (100)

Um Gargour: mixed • Fixing the fence, extra teachers (6) desks 50 UmGargour: Girls • Fixing the fence, extra teachers (6) desks 50 Um Gargour: Boys • Fixing the fence, extra teachers (6) desks 50 Wad Sharifey: mixed -


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Currently, the Government of Sudan/MoE policy is now allowing refugees access to Government Secondary schools. But in practice some refugees found limited chances to secondary education. The only option for refugees is to go to some private schools such as Manara schools in Girba. However, there are some factors that limit the refugees’ access to secondary schools, such as:

Lack of financial support. Over 80% of the families have limited access to employment /jobs.

The far distance of the secondary schools from the various camps. Renting houses and board is another financial challenge. Commuting every day especially for girls is a problem. Most parents are reluctant to let their girls stay far away from them where daily monitoring is limited.

15. Protection 15.1 Protection and Security in the Camps In most camps the security situation is fairly stable. In Girba, Kilo 26, Wad Sharifey neither risks nor threats were mentioned in the camps. There are isolated cases in the Shagarabs concerning the refugees. The presence of nearby Rashaida tribes who are engaged in human trafficking is of concern. There was the tragic incident of drowning in September 2008 of twenty one refugees, who while fleeing the Shagarabs, drowned crossing the nearby Atbara River. Other issues of concern are smuggling of refugees and asylum seekers through the Rashaida, ) unaccompanied minors and separated children. Also, summary trials and deportations of secondary movement cases raise serious issues regarding the rights of asylum seekers who are seeking economic opportunities. Major concern is also the general trend of increased theft targeting single female headed households particularly in the central states. In general, the effective maintenance of law and order is the role of the police. However, such tasks are often undermined by the lack of capacity mainly in terms of logistics and lack of incentives to attract personnel to isolated camp locations. 15.2 Freedom of Movement and Relation to Host Community The relation of the refugee community to the host community is a major security factor, particularly in some of the camps in Eastern Sudan (such as Kilo 26), where the refugees do not speak the same language and are of another culture than the host community. The JAM has been pleased to see that peaceful co-existence prevails between the two population groups. Especially the old caseload refugees, who have assimilated into nearby towns and villages and have relatively free access to labour / employment and do in practice enjoy freedom of movement – except of Um Gargour, where movement restrictions were mentioned as major livelihood threats to the refugees. New arrivals are not granted travel permits easily and face tighter restrictions in terms of freedom of movement outside the camps and changes in the local population’s attitude towards the refugees can be observed. There are small signs of lesser tolerance as regards the new arrivals who are largely young and of urban background. The described environmental situation with deforestation, poor waste management etc. can


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bear a potential to cause tension between refugee and host community that should be addressed and observed carefully. 15.3 Freedom of Religion The camps’ population is mainly Muslim, and there are a small number of Christians. No problems were reported between the two groups. Some camps have places to worship (mosque and church), although there are no priests present in some locations, particularly in Shagarabs and Girba where the Church was closed after the repatriation programme. Both Muslims and Christians celebrate religious holidays and keep their religious traditions. Religious education is organized for Muslim children. There are no active religious organizations present at the camps, but some ad hoc events are organized, especially during Ramadan. 15.4 Shelter, Fuel and Environment The influx of refugees mostly from Eritrea to Eastern Sudan is continuous, currently even increasing. With the new arrivals of refugees in the reception center, Shagarab Camp, new shelter provisions need to be made and the allocated resources from UNHCR cannot match the number of the asylum seekers/refugees. For 2009, UNHCR is planning to construct an additional 400 tukuls for the new arrivals, 25 kurnuks and 20 rakubas. Due to poor material quality used and congested neighbourhood all camps are prone to fires. In general, it was reported that (additional) shelter is needed in many camps. Of particular concern are the asylum seekers who sometimes wait up to two months in makeshift tents with very poor sanitary and hygiene conditions. Most shelter in all the camps need to be rehabilitated or reconstructed. Some refugees were given tukuls/hut while others were given tents. Those given tents lasted for three or four years and they have collected wooden poles and grass in the bushes to build their own structure. Currently, in the Shagarabs, tents are erected while the construction of tukuls is ongoing for new arrivals. During dry season there is always risk of fire. In Um Gargour and Kilo 26 the number of burnt tukuls is always high during dry season. In Kilo 26 sixty tukuls burnt in 2008 while in Um Gargour 6 burnt down in 2009. In order to reduce the risk of fire, in the various camps, the refugees are appealing for the construction of mud hut/tukuls. The cost of local material to rehabilitate their own tukuls is very high and the refugees can not afford the cost and require support. Regarding fuel, all camps are still practicing the use of firewood, charcoal, dry stalks and animal manures as fuel sources. Forest National Cooperation (FNC) attempted to introduce the use of alternative fuel source but it did not materialize as this appeared to be more costly. FNC has suggested exploring another energy saving alternatives to arrest this problem. The type of fuel used has an ngative impact on the environment. The general state of the physical environment in all camps is below standard and calls for attention. The root problems are deforested lands, poor garbage management, water shortage, inadequate latrine facilities, land degradation and the laxity among refugees to exert more effort in keeping their surroundings clean . 15.5 Unaccompanied Minors in Shagareb There are currently 31 unaccompanied minors (UAM) between the ages of 5-15 (boys) and


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11-17 (girls) living in the Human Appeall International (HAI) supported shelter in Shagareb I. They live in four dorm huts (2 for girls and 2 for boys) within a compound that has five small buildings as well as a latrine and shower for each sex. They sleep on mats on the floor, without mosquito netting, and have no books, pens, paper, toys or means of amusement with the exception of a television. None of the children go to school. They stay an average of 1-3 months until a foster family (usually a relative) is identified with the exception of two girls who have been there for 5 months and do not have any family in Sudan. There are also 72 boys between the age of 15-17 years who are not permitted to live inside the compound but who are also recognized UAMs and share meals with the first group. The 103 children all eat two hot meals a day at the meal tent sent up for new arrivals. They eat 2 meals a day at 9am (bread and lentils) and at 4pm (injera, pulses, and a sauce with some canned meat). Hunger is a major issue and the children complain of the long wait between the morning and afternoon meal and then between the second meal and breakfast. The children are extremely poor and unable to subsidize their food through snacks because they do not have money. Clothes have been donated and they each have at least two sets and a single pair of shoes. They are given soap and wash their own clothes. There are three urgent recommendations for these children: 1. The boys aged 15-17 who are living on their own in the transit areas need to be given a

protected living space without delay. They are a protection risk and many confirmed stories of fear and difficulties living without support.

2. All of the UAMs need access to education, books and social stimulation while in the UAM centre waiting fostering.

3. The current food, provided under WFP’s wet feeding programme, is not sufficient for the children. They need at minimum three hot meals a day and snacks. HAI needs to be advised to provide three meals a day but UNHCR will have to supplement the budget to buy additional food for the additional meals. They also need to have fresh fruits and vegetables and a general improvement in both dietary diversity and quantity. It is not appropriate to expect these children to eat this poor diet (created for a two-day period for new arrivals before they can cook) for months on end. These three issues need to be addressed as a matter of utmost urgency.

15.6 Orphans HAI runs a program for orphans in Girba, Kilo 26, the Shagarebs, and Um Gargour. There are currently 320 children aged 1-17 years enrolled in the program. HAI provides $50/month to the foster family that is looking after the child, and one set of school clothes per year while health services and education in the camps are free. It is important to note that in Sudan, an orphan is defined as a child whose father has died. Therefore, many of these children are potentially being “fostered” by their own mother and living in the family home in the refugee camp. One important issue to note is that all identified “orphan households” should be included in the targeted food distribution, given that widowed female headed-households are considered as vulnerable under these criteria. 15.7 Minority Groups There are a number of refugees in different camps, most notably Um Gargour and Kilo 26, who do not have a similar profile to the majority of the population in the camp. These individuals moved to the camps after the first group was already established for perhaps decades. Many of these “new arrivals” (inadequate terminology given since many have been


56

in Sudan since 2004) are Christian, rather than Muslim, and come from a different cultural background with very different livelihood and educational expectations. It is essential that the basic service and protection needs of these sub-groups are adequately addressed. The JAM was shocked by some of the stories told and the level of desperation of some in these groups including: the Highland Christians in Kilo 26 who have no representation on the elders committee nor opportunities for in-camp employment, yet have little or no freedom of movement outside the camp; the Khartoum 50 and Port Sudan 12 in Um Gargour who have not been able to adequately assimilate into the camp after their urban-based life; the urban dwellers from Eritrea in Shagareb who are looking for advanced education opportunities and are ill-equipped to be finding firewood and grinding grain. 15.8 People living with HIV In Um Gargour there is a father, mother and son who are all HIV positive and represent the only PLWHA in the camp. They are receiving extra food through WFP’s institutional feeding programme and receive ARV treatment once a month in Kassala from the VCT center. However, they face very intense discrimination problems with the child being unable to attend school due to teasing and the family being chased away from communal services. They have requested for the last year that their case be reviewed to be moved to another camp where the facilities are better and they are better protected. Their case raises both individual protection issues (the family needs further support) and highlights the weakness in our overall HIV strategy. 15.9 Elderly and Disabled The specific issue of elderly and disabled persons as vulnerable persons will be addressed through the use of community services. Any elderly or disabled person having no family member to support them must be identified by community health workers and their names submitted to camp management for inclusion on the GFD lists. Furthermore, special consideration should be given to them in the roll out of income generation activities, e.g. elderly women can be employed as child minders during skills’ trainings, etc. The assessment team felt that this particular group has been excluded from creative solutions to gainful occupation. Concern is that hearing impaired individuals are considered as disabled and entitled to be included in the GFD programme although they may not be vulnerable. 16. Gender Gender was a focus of all of the thematic areas of the JAM and questions were asked in order to understand the impact of different problems on men and women. Due to cultural and social issues, it was recognized that women are of particular vulnerability in the camps and those who are without adult male relatives face considerable difficulties. In general, no major risks regarding daily life needs cared for by women and girls were identified. Water and fuel are available within reasonable distances. It is worth noting though there is need to expand the existing sources of energy, like the ongoing provision of LP Gas for cooking, to ease the burden on women and girls. As part of its enhanced commitment to women (ECW), WFP is encouraging women to directly receive food in all of its distributions to ensure that the food goes to the family directly for their own consumption. However, the habit of collecting fees at distribution should be stopped in order to improve access to food and reduce related risks to the poor


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sections of the population including vulnerables such as women and girls. Continued monitoring to curtail this practice should remain in place. A real concern is that women do not play any leadership related roles inside the camp. Although this is understandable due to cultural, traditional and religious norms, camp management must pay attention to ensure that women’s particular needs are heard and considered. One great example is that women have the opportunity to express their desires in separate women’s committees. Women’s participation in all programs must be promoted, in particular in food distributions, and it must be ensured that community leaders and staff members are aware of gender issues. Above all, to have equal representation, there is a need to select new refugee/elders committee that include women.

PART IX: SELF-RELIANCE ACTIVITIES IN THE CAMPS 17. Review of Ongoing Activities At the policy level UNHCR and COR in September 2007 adopted a joint “Solutions Strategy for the Protracted Refugee Situation in East Sudan” which outlined the need to develop a comprehensive self-reliance strategy to improve the livelihoods of the refugees. As a follow up UNHCR in February 2009 commissioned a “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan “ which produced extensive recommendations to enhance the self-reliance of the refugees and the host communities. A notable aspect in operationalise the strategy was the deployment of a two person Surge Team to support the UNHCR Kassala Office in establishing partnerships with the wide range of interlocutors including line ministries and development actors. In Eastern Sudan refugee camps, several activities are ongoing that aim to strengthen the self-reliance of the refugees. UNHCR entered into an agreement between implementing partners (IPs) in 2008 to carry out the different livelihood activities. The IPs that were engaged are ACORD, SOLO, SRC and FNC. These activities are closely monitored by the UNHCR-Reintegration Unit staff. Self-Reliance Activities Implemented in the Refugee Camps 2008-2009

Camp

Agro forestry/

Crop Producti

on

Live-stock

Vocational

Trai-ning

Women Develop-

ment Skills

Training

Functional Literacy

Small Business Projects

Women ROSCA

Total Population

in the Camps

Wad Sharifey Nil 300

350 240 150 300 300 15020

Kilo 26 290 100 150 240 153 100 200 7343

Shagarab I 392 100 130 240 90 100 200 10755

Shagarab II 318 100 100 240 120 100 200 5809

Shagarab III 250 100 70 Nil 90 100 200 4938

Um Gargour 290 100 130 240 90 100 200 8507

Abuda 270 100 150 240 120 100 200 2753


58

Suki 356 60 150 Nil 246 Nil 200 1360

Girba 12 Nil 200 240 116 Nil Nil 5363

Fau5 336 132 130 Nil Nil 42 20 897

Total 2514 1092 1560 1680 1175 942 1720 62745 18. Achievements The major breakthrough in embarking on the improvement of the refugee self-reliance has mainly been the program planning approach where UNHCR and its partners have spearheaded the shift from relief assistance to self-reliance and the related durable solutions. Refugees on their part have equally endorsed self-reliance as a mode of addressing the protracted years of dependency on hand-outs and demonstrated active participation in meeting their basic needs. Additionally, the endorsement by the government counterpart (COR) of the durable solutions strategy has in itself laid a concrete foundation for the way forward on the eventual realization of self-reliance and the improvement of the livelihoods of the refugees and their host communities. Other main areas of achievements in the pursuance of self-reliance in the East are outlined below:

• Marked improvement in the capacity building and empowerment of refugee women through functional literacy and access to micro-credit for self-reliance activities.

• UNHCR has made demarches to strengthen partnerships with other UN sister agencies such as FAO, WFP and UNDP in the area of self-reliance and livelihoods. Other interlocutors such as local authorities, line ministries research institutes as well as NGOs have all been part of the networking in advancing improved self-reliance for the refugees and host communities.

• UNHCR has in conjunction with its implementing partners continued to build the capacity of the refugees to eventually qualify as clientele for micro-finance.

• Joint programming has been undertaken by UNHCR in the field of micro-finance following an agreement to institute a micro-finance study with UNDP and Central Bank of Sudan.

• UNHCR has continued to advocate for more rights which are essential for the advancement of their self-reliance.

• Focus on training to address adolescents and youth unemployment among the refugees.

19. Challenges and Way Forward The core of the challenge in moving the process of self-reliance forward lies in the fact that the dependency situation has existed for a long period in the East of Sudan. Consequently, the tangible results in terms of realizing self-reliance will largely be a goal that can be realistically achieved with a high level of investment in the initial stages. All in all, the accomplishment of self-reliance is a long term output. Other specific challenges in addressing high levels of poverty and low self-reliance options are as follows:

• The need for increased support from the host government in establishing an enabling environment for the achievement of self-reliance and durable solutions for the refugees.

• Overwhelming demand from the refugees and host communities in need of accessing


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opportunities for the attainment of self-reliance programs. • The need to diversify the vocational training courses to increase female participation. • Development of relevant approaches to link up self-reliance programs with

development actors including state governments in the East which has generally been an area of low interest in terms of donors support.

• Changing the mindset of commercial banks and micro-finance institutions to incorporate refugees and host communities with low collateral security as part of their normal clients.

• Securing adequate funding for crop and livestock insurance to cover refugee farmers from the low productivity associated with environmental factors and diseases.

PART X: RECOMMENDATIONS AND ACTION PLAN 20. Recommendations The timeframe given with each recommendation either indicates the month, by which the recommendation should have been fully implemented (e.g. “June 2009”), or indicates the starting point, at which the implementation of the recommendation should start (e.g. “From June 2009”).

Recommendation Responsible Agency Timeframe

1. To enhance partnership with key UN agencies and line ministries as well as other non-traditional partners

UNHCR/WFP/ COR

From June 09

Coordination, Registration and Self-Reliance 2. To review the tripartite agreement and filter it down

to staff in the camps so as to enhance their understanding of their roles and responsibilities of each party at all levels.

UNHCR / WFP / COR

December, 09

3. COR to compile the list of names of the refugees who missed the Phase 1 verification/registration exercise and submit the relevant document to UNHCR.

COR Camp Managers in conjunction with Refugee Camp Leaders

June 09

4. To provide WFP with the list of families selected for GFD and maintain the updating regularly

UNHCR/COR June 09

5. UNHCR to establish partnership with development agencies like UNDP to attempt a change in the Government’s perception towards local integration as a durable solution for the protracted refugee population in East Sudan.

UNHCR Ongoing

6. To engage Federal Government at State level Authorities to consider re-integration as a viable durable solution given the extensive de facto social economic integration in some of the refugee camps.

COR and UNHCR

From August 09

7. UNHCR and COR to approach relevant state authorities for the provision of additional land in the

COR and UNHCR

From September 09


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land based camps as well as in wage earning camps for crop and livestock production. to enhance the self reliance of refugees.

8. To formulate a multi –year work plan for self reliance largely based on the findings and recommendations of the “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan” as a way forward in addressing the protracted situation

UNHCR November, 09

9. To improve the delivery of basic services in the refugee camps including the self-reliance opportunities for the attainment of sustainable camp closure and consolidation.

UNHCR Ongoing

10. To review the targeting criteria and selection of beneficiaries for GFD

WFP From October 09

11. To review the institutional feeding programme WFP From August, 09

Food Security 12. To over-haul the food and NFI distribution systems

through improved distribution practices that follow established guidelines

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

From June 09

13. To make sure all partners are involved in the monitoring and follow-up of food distribution including post-distribution monitoring

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

July 09

14. To facilitate the creation of a food distribution committee with representation from minority groups and 50% women participation.

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

June 09

15. To ensure scooping materials are validated and re-calibrated each month

WFP June 09

16. To post the ration basket and to ensure scales are available for refugee verification of ration

UNHCR July 09

17. To provide pallets, plastic sheets, weighing scales UNHCR June 09 18. To do scoops according to the type of the

commodity and to check them with a committee from all partners

WFP/UNHCR August 09

19. To set up a food targeting criteria that reduces the level of inclusion errors to ensure that eligible refugees are covered

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

October 09

20. To support family gardens/Multi Storey Gardening for the diversification of the refugee food basket

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

June 09

21. To conduct a food security analysis to adequately assess the number of households that are food insecure and would be eligible for FFW/FFT

WFP/UNHCR November 09

22. To conduct a full market survey and undertake focus groups discussion with traders to determine their needs and how to balance supply and demand plus the updating of information on distribution dates

WFP November 09


61


Logistics 23. To recruit additional storekeepers (assistance) and

give warehouse training COR/UNHCR November 09

24. To consider maintenance of the warehouses as top priority

UNHCR December 09

25. To construct and improve all shades for all food distribution in all camps and equipped them with latrines.

UNHCR December 09

26. Recruitment of store keepers, helpers and guards based on the camp needs.

COR/ UNHCR August 09

27. Training of all warehouse staff based on tripartite agreement and warehouse management.

WFP October 09

28. Equip warehouses with safety equipment, cleaning materials and tools, pallets and plastic sheet, first aid kits, in accordance with WFP warehouse checklist.

UNHCR November 09

29. Fumigation and sterilisation to be carried out on regular basis.

WFP December 09

30. Provide all warehouses with standardised weighing scales, scooping utensils.

UNHCR as per standard tripartite agreement please check yr own UNHCR reference docs!!!

June 09

31. Improve women involvement in the distribution process.

WFP/UNHCR June 09

32. Fee collection practice in the camps prior to the food distribution should be discontinued.

WFP/UNHCR/ COR

July 09

Health and Nutrition 33. To Promote IYCF program with due consideration

to EBF initiatives Community mobilization, Health and Nutrition Education, Supply of complementary food

UNHCR / IPs UNHCR / IPs UNHCR / WFP

From May

34. To improve drug and other medical supply management system from the procurement to the dispensing with due consideration to the cold chain system Annual International procurement Locally purchase of emergency drugs Training of clinician on rational prescription Improve electric power supply through purchase

of generators or Solar system

UNHCR IPs (SRC) IPs UNHCR

April May May June

35. To improve water supply, hand washing facilities and universal precaution at all health facility level Switch system

UNHCR

May

36. To improve RH-HIV/AIDS services with due consideration to EmONC and initiation of VCT and


62


PMTCT at all health facility level Refresher training, Community mobilization Medical supply

UNHCR / IPs

From May

37. To improve general health service delivery including mental health promotion, blanket feeding for under 3 years Recruitment/Training/Refresher training, Review of salary scale for all IPs staff Renovation/construction of infrastructures Purchase of ambulances

IPs UNHCR

From July

38. To implement recommendations from June 2008 Joint UNHCR/WFP Nutrition and Food Security Field Mission (in Shagarab) Improve coordination among all relevant

partners (IPs, COR, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, MOH)

UNHCR immediately

39. To introduce FFT programme; Health and nutrition education including food demonstration, weaning food to mothers of children between 6-36 months (in Shagarabs) Training Demonstration IEC material

UNHCR / WFP / HAI

From June to December

40. To improve electricity supply and sanitation at the Shagarab I and III health facility level Purchase new generator Construct new latrines

UNHCR / HAI June-July

41. To improve IMCI at all health facility level in the Shagarabs, Fau 5and Suki and implement DOTS for TB as per WHO recommendation In collaboration with the state MOH, train all

AMO and IMCI (training home visitors)

HAI / MOH May

42. To implement FFT program targeting <5 children’s mothers in health and nutrition program including food demonstration on weaning food and provision of complementary food (in Um Gargour) Health and nutrition program under FFT

WFP / UNHCR / HAI

June 09

43. To construct Incinerator for waste disposable in Fau 5 and Suki

UNHCR/GHF November 09

44. To recruit a dedicated nutritionist for HAI and SRC UNHCR and HAI / SRC

July 09

45. To ensure SFP discharge after 12 weeks UNHCR/ SRC, GHF, HAI

July 09

46. To end and absorb institutional feeding into GFD and then provide supplemental feeding for cases that need additional food.

UNHCR/SRC,GHF, HAI

July 09


63


47. To conduct quarterly MUAC screenings UNHCR/ SRC, GHF, HAI

July 09

Environment, Water and Sanitation 48. To increase latrine coverage in schools UNHCR, COR,

ESCO From June 09

49. To provide adequate potable water in schools UNHCR, COR, ESCO

From June 09

50. To provide adequate potable water supply in all camps through expansion, maintenance and construction of water networks, including the increase of pumping hours.

UNHCR, COR, ESCO, UNICEF, State Water Corporation

June 09

51. To set up a mechanism on garbage management, increase latrine coverage with active participation of the community

ESCO June 09

52. In conjunction with the Ministry of Education , undertake an information campaign amongst the refugees and the host communities by integrating the cleanliness drive, gardening and environmental issues in school curricula, health centers and local government establishments.

UNHCR, COR, ESCO

June 09

53. To Reforest within the camp and surrounding host communities involving FNC and community to expand the on-going activities

UNHCR, FNC Ongoing

54. To construct additional Tukuls for new arrivals and rehabilitate the damaged ones by providing construction materials and the community to provide labor.

UNHCR, COR, SRC

Ongoing

55. To provide more energy saving stoves and introduce alternative energy sources for cooking fuel

FNC Ongoing

56. To strengthen the sensitization of all stakeholders including the refugees on the shift from relief assistance to enhanced self-reliance and improved livelihoods as the new program approach

UNHCR, COR, and all IPs

Ongoing

57. To negotiate with State Governments to allocate refugees with adequate land for agriculture and livestock production,

COR From June

58. To look into the usage of more bio-degradable packaging materials to reduce heavy dependence on the use of plastics.

FNC and State Governments

From June

Education 59. To continuously sensitize students on hygiene issue

including practical demonstration COR, UNHCR, Gedaref State

From June 09

60. To undertake an assessment of school feeding and determine the needs and modalities

WFP, COR October 09

61. To involve key stakeholders in regular school monitoring

COR, UNHCR From June 09

62. To continue to sensitize parents and the entire UNHCR / COR From June 09


64


community on the importance of education, especially GCE

63. To revise the budget to enable the recruitment of more teachers and procurement of additional school supplies

UNHCR, COR From July 09

64. Urgent construction of classrooms at Fat el Rahaman UNHCR, COR From June 09 65. School fees

To increase access to livelihood opportunities to families

To lobby for funding /scholarship to increase the budget on PGCE to support more

vulnerable girls

UNHCR

June 09

66. To hold meeting with Gederef state and school administration and review the MOU signed

UNHCR / COR November 09

67. To strengthen communication between /among the concerned stakeholders in the management of the schools

UNHCR, COR From June 09

68. To evaluate the Education situation in Um Gargur primary schools and the handover process

UNHCR / COR November 09

69. To evaluate the work done by UN Habitat and recommend another partner to complete the remaining works

UNHCR July 09

70. To consult with MoE on the regulation regarding pre- school education

UNHCR / COR From June 09

71. To increase women representation on PTA and other committees to 50%

UNHCR, COR June 09

72. To organise trainings for all PTA members in refugee camp schools

UNHCR / COR August 09

It is, furthermore, recommended to implement the 12 recommendations of the recently concluded final report on the “Self –Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan” which are the following. Recommendation 1 To ensure that a surge team of two competent, focused, hardworking individuals is in place in Kassala by April 1. Engage a local research/consultancy group to work with this team and ensure Phase I is deliverable (see Phase I in Section 8). Decide if and how UNHCR headquarters (the desk, DIP, OSTS) can provide continuity of support over the long-term (2009-2012) and use Sudan as a case study for protracted refugee solutions. One recommendation is to jointly share oversight (and funding) with UNDP/BCPR as they recently funded a livelihood project in Kassala state. UNDP and UNHCR would share the cost of the manager position, develop common baseline, engage in joint programs that address refugees and host communities and undertake joint M&E through the local research/consultancy group. Recommendation 2 To develop a joint framework for cooperation and an Agreement on Principles signed by all


65

partners to build synergies and supporting methodologies that build self-reliance. The framework will cover issues such as the use of common baseline data for measuring impact, selection criteria for clients, sharing of information, development and use of a common database of clients, identification of technical guidancec and training that is needed to support partner implementation, etc. It is also suggested that UNHCR engage the World Bank through its community development fund programme to take on one refugee site and apply its methodology for self-reliance as a joint UNHCR-World Bank pilot. Recommendation 3 To develop agreements with Ministries of Agriculture and Animal Resources and Fisheries, UNDP, Practical Action and the World Bank Recommendation 4 To contract a competent local research/consultancy group to develop common baseline and undertake M&E as a common support function to all partners. It is recommended that UNHCR work in close partnership with UNDP on livelihood programming in refugee-impacted areas, baseline data should be poverty-related (which could include household income, health indicators and access to education). This would serve both the refugee and host community population and support the government’s interest in measuring/reducing poverty. Recommendation 5 To provide strategic and professional training in relevant areas such as labour/market analysis, microfinance, community-driven development, value chain analysis, business management, M&E, etc. to key UNHCR and partner staff. Funds should be dedicated every year for this purpose. The strategy recommends a common fund of $100,000, replenished annually and managed by the project technical advisor to support, amongst other activities, this kind of training. Recommendation 6 To come up with an agreed definition of self-reliance with partners based on an evaluation of general living conditions in the geographic locations where refugees are residing. Recommendation 7 Work with UNDP, UNHCR and use the Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement (ESPA) and the burgeoning focus on recovery and development in the East for a smooth transition to line ministries and engagement with the Walis (governors). COR to be engaged in the programme implementation team for the self-reliance strategy and training opportunities should be given to COR staff identified as champions of self-reliance. In terms of legal issues, it is recommended that UNHCR negotiate with the Employment Unit under the COR Protection Department in Khartoum and the Ministry of Labour to develop counseling support and assisting refugees to obtain relevant documentation at a reasonable cost. UNHCR should inform the government that funding will be benchmarked – e.g. baseline will be developed and services will be monitored and evaluated. Finally, UNHCR could also propose that the Minister of Labour delegate COR for issuing work permit for refugees. Recommendation 8 UNHCR to commit to a three-year timeframe with realistic indicators and the objective of handing over responsibility for social services to appropriate line ministries and of


66

incorporating refugees into UNDP’s (and others development partner’s) economic recovery and livelihood programs. This timeframe should be ‘enshrined’ in all UNHCR program and policy documents (COP, etc.) and staff held accountable in their PAR for meeting annual targets. Recommendation 9 The re-registration data to serve as the basis for a separate livelihoods database organized by site but managed by UNHCR and its IPs at the sub-office level. Food aid, loans and other livelihoods support could be added to each household’s basic data. Persons or households with specific or urgent needs such as female-headed households who are of the poorer wealth group can be identified. Recommendation 10 UNHCR can assume that a large number of refugees have Sudanese nationality. However, it is unlikely that the organization will ever determine the real number as refugees continue to hedge their bets concerning opportunities for resettlement. Aliens who have resided for five consecutive years in Sudan with a valid permit have access to nationality. This should include refugees. This discussion to be followed up with the authorities and support refugees pursuing Sudanese nationality. Recommendation 11 A local research institute to be engaged and supported by UNHCR/DOS/OSTS to develop case studies that can be used by others grappling with self-reliance and protracted situations. In addition, UNHCR should consider doing a comparative analysis between closed and open sites to learn more about why some seem to have ‘made it’ and others not. It would also be useful to compare open and closed sites and similar local Sudanese villages to get a sense of what constitutes average expenditure and participation in social services (water, education, health care, sanitation) to give UNHCR and its partners a target range for refugee self-reliance in this domain. Recommendation 12 To develop a fundraising strategy by marketing particular donor interests. Engage these and other companies in 1) providing technical assistance within their comparative advantage. This could mean support for marketing, packaging, quality control, etc. for refugee businesses or 2) in funding a small enterprise such as vegetable or fruit-drying or honey production.


67

21. Action Plan 21.1 Action Plan: Food Security and Livelihoods No Recommendation Priority Action Required Responsibility Timeframe

1

To establish a food distribution committee with representation from minority groups, Youth and women in all refugee camps. High

Sensitization and mobilization of the targeted communities on the important role of having food committees women participation.

UNHCR/COR/WFP July Sensitization of the existing elder committees on

the need of establishment of food distribution committee in each camp. Formulation of clear TOR for the food committees.

2

To over-haul the food and NFI distribution systems through improved distribution practices that follow established guidelines

High

Conduct community training sessions on handling and scooping of the food commodities in a voluntary basis (without collection of fees at the distribution centers).

COR/UNHCR ASAP

Deployment and presence of three parties, with clear knowledge about their roles, during the food distribution monitoring. UNHCR/COR/

WFP June- Continuous Notification/communication of food distribution

dates at least 48 hours prior the plan date.

3

To ensure all partners are involved in the monitoring and follow-up of food distribution including Post-Distribution Monitoring

High

Strengthening of the existing Joint Monitoring initiatives (UNHCR and COR should assigned staff at both Sub office and camps levels for this task and arrange for ground preparations). * Monthly planning meeting on food distribution plan.

WFP/COR/UNHCR/Food committee

July- Continuous

4 To ensure scooping materials are validated and re-calibrated as needed.

High Conduct regular technical checking of the scooping materials.

UNHCR/COR/WFP/food committee

June- Continuous

5

To post the ration basket and to ensure scales are available for refugee verification of ration High

Posting of food entitlements in a visible place ateach distribution center. Randomly, weighing of food in presence of the beneficiares during food distribution.

UNHCR/COR/WFP/food committee

July- Continuous

6

Ensure scooping is done according to the type of the food commodity using standard scoops.

High

Availing of standard scales based on the type of food commodities each distribution center. COR/UNHCR August-

Continuous

7

Update the understanding of food security analysis to understand the current level of vulnerability and the current coping strategies employed

High Conduct an in depth food security assessment includes market survey.

WFP/COR/UNHCR October

21.2 Action Plan: Logistics, Warehousing, Roads and Infrastructure Considering the road conditions between July and October the implementation of some of the following actions required will not take place immediately.

No Recommendation Priority Action Required Responsibility Timeframe Budget

1

To provide the required needs of all camps such as the cleaning materials, safety equipment, tools and first aid kit and WFP warehouse checklist.

High

UNHCR- to provide all tools and materials to all camp warehouses

UNHCR/WFP

Assessment for cost of tools and materials procurement should be done and deliver to all camps by Dec.09

UNHCR to allocate funding

WFP- to provide warehouse checklists and warehouse management training.


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No Recommendation Priority Action Required Responsibility Timeframe Budget

2

The recruitment of storekeepers,’ helper, guards based on camp need must be done.

High

To recruit the needed staff/personnel

COR

To be completed by August 09


3

The maintenance of the warehouses in all camps should be a top priority High

The maintenance work is on going but the lack of needed materials is delaying the completion UNHCR

To be completed in all camps by Dec. 09

Fund available

4

To Construct and improve all shades for all food distribution in all camps and equipped them with latrines.

High

To provide the needed logistics.

UNHCR

Immediately – to be completed by Dec. 09


5

Training of all warehouse staff based on tripartite agreement and warehouse management.

High

To provide facilitators for the training once the recruitment exercise is completed. WFP

Pending recruitment of w/house staff –by October 09

6

Fumigation and sterilisation to be carried out on a regular basis. Normal

To prepare a scheduled for this exercise and monitor by all parties.

COR

Once yearly and when needed.

Funding to be provided by UNHCR

7

Provide all warehouses with standardised weighing scales, scooping utensils.

High

To provide all tools and materials to all camp warehouses. (UNHCR)

UNHCR/COR

Immediate before next distribution and completed by the second distribution-1month duration

Funding to be provided by UNHCR

To check cost of needed items. (COR)

8

The need to revisit guidelines set for targeted groups.

High

A joint assessment will be carried out by all parties involved – UNHCR, COR & WFP ALL

To be by August depending on the road accessibility.

ALL PARTIES to bear the cost of the assessment.

9 Women should be involved in the distribution process. Normal

Sensitization campaign on women involvement in food dist. Should be conducted.

UNHCR Immediately (check dist. Schedule)

Not needed

10

Fee collection practice in the camps prior to the food distribution should be discontinued.

High

Information campaign to inform refugee about discontinue of fee collection for dist. Should be carried out UNHCR

Immediately – July 09


21.3 Action Plan: Health and Nutrition

No Recommendation Activity Responsible agency

Time Frame Budget Available

funds Shortfall

1

To Promote Infant Young Child Feeding program with due consideration to Exclusive Breastfeeding initiative

Community mobilization, UNHCR/Health IPs

Ongoing 100,000 00 100,000

Health and Nutrition Education UNHCR/Health IPs

Ongoing

Supply of fresh food for selective feeding UNHCR

Aug - Dec 2009

Blanket supplementary feeding for < 3 years for 3 months in Shagarab, Um Gargour, Girba and Abuda camps

WFP

July - Sept 2009

Coordinate and provision of other supporting programmes (i.e. WatSan, Health, etc)

All Ongoing


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2

To improve drug and other medical supply management system from the procurement to the dispensing with due consideration to the cold chain system:

Annual International procurement UNHCR Order placed in April through ROK

500,000 420,000 70,000

Locally purchase of emergency drugs Health IPs (SRC)

Ongoing

Training of relevant staff on drug management and clinicians on rational prescription

UNHCR/MOH

July 2009

Improve electric power supply through purchase of generators/solar system

2 generators for Shagarab camp health facilities,

1 generator for Kilo 26 camp health facility,

1 generator for Abuda camp health facility

UNHCR Aug – Sept 2009

200,000 00 200,000

3

To improve water supply, hand washing facilities and universal precaution at all health facility level

Connect a central water pipeline to the health facilities

UNHCR Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

4

To improve Reproductive Health -HIV/AIDS services with due consideration to Emergency Obstetrics Newborn Care and initiation of VCT and PMTCT at all health facilities

Training and refresher training, Community mobilization Medical supply

MOH/Sudan National AIDS control Programme Health IPs UNFPA

VCT ongoing partially June – Dec 2009

200,000 125,000 75,000

5

To improve general health service delivery including:

Recruitment/Training/Refresher training,

mental health service promotion,

Free Referral system for refugees

General long-lasting mosquito net distribution

UNHCR/IPs

July –Dec 2009

200,000

00

200,000

Review of salary scale for all IPs staff UNHCR July 2009

Renovation/construction of infrastructures:

1) Construct 1 delivery room in Fau 5, 2) Construct 1 waiting veranda in Shagarab and Fau, 3) Construct 1 feeding centre in Kilo 26, 4) Construct 2 admission wards (1 M + 1 F) in Suki, 5) Construct 5 latrines in W/Sharifey health facilities, 6) Construct 2 incinerators 1 in Fau and 1 in Suki

UNHCR March 2010

Purchase of 1 ambulance for Um Gargour camp

UNHCR 2010 60,000 00 60,000

6 To implement Improve coordination among all relevant All Ongoing 00 00 00


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recommendations from June 2008 Joint UNHCR/WFP Nutrition and Food Security Field Mission (in Shagarab)

partners (IPs, COR, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, MOH)

7

To introduce FFT program

Health and nutrition education including demonstration of weaning food to mothers of children between 6 and 36 months in all camps

Training of trainers (TOT) using national essential package,

Demonstration Support Information Education

Communication IEC material provision

WFP to provide FFT only subject to well elaborated project proposals UNHCR

August 2009

50,000 50,000 50,000

8

To expand Integrated management of Childhood Illnesses IMCI at all health facility level in all camps.

Train all Medical Assistants on standard case management of IMCI,

Promote C-IMCI through home visitors

UNHCR, MOH, IPs

Ongoing 30,000 30,000 30,000

9

Implement Direct Observed Treatment for TB as per WHO recommendation

Implement MOH/WHO Protocol together with Health IPs, WFP, UNHCR

UNHCR Ongoing 10,000 10,000 10,000

10

To recruit a dedicated nutritionist for HAI, SRC and GHF

IP to conduct recruitment UNHCR July 2009

18,000 00 18,000

11

Ensure proper follow up of Selective Feeding Program

Implement Selective Feeding Program according to the WHO guidelines

UNHCR Ongoing 10,000 00 10,000

12

To end and absorb institutional feeding into GFD and then provide supplemental feeding for cases that need additional food.

More discussion is underway All

13

Improve the growth monitoring activities

Implement TOT on Growth Monitoring WHO new curve

UNHCR Aug –Sept 2009

10,000 00 10,000

14

Expand Community Management Severe Acute Malnutrition to all camps

- Training, - Community mobilization, - Implementation

UNHCR, MOHs

Aug –Sept 2009

30,000 00 30,000


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21.4 Action Plan: Environment, Water and Sanitation, Agriculture/Livestock, Shelter

No Recommendation Action Required Responsibility Timeframe Budget

1 To increase latrine coverage in schools

Construction of latrines UNHCR/ COR/ESCO

Jun-Dec 2009 32,000 SDG UNHCR

2 To provide adequate portable water in schools

Adding more pipes connection to schools

UNHCR/COR/ESCO UNICEF


3

To provide adequate water supply in all camps through expansion, maintenance and construction of water network, adopt quality water treatment standards, increase working hours in distribution time, creation, activation of water management committees and provide capacity building training.

Adding more pipeline connection and Tap-Stand

Increase water supply hours after mid-year review

Drilling new borehole in Abuda Increase storage capacity of the Hafir in Um Gargur

Solar pumps installation in Shagarab camps (3 sets)

Connection of pipes to the recently constructed elevated tanks in Shagarab and Wad Sharifey.

Supplying water through tap stands in Um Gargur, Girba and Abuda.

Start supplying water from the Italy water station in Kilo 26.

Shagareb, Um Gargour, Girba and Abuda camps to be given first priority.

UNHCR/COR/ESCO UNICEF State Water Corporation

Jun-Dec 2009 1,000,000 SDG UNHCR

4

To setup a mechanism on garbage management (e.g plastic bags), increase latrine coverage with active participation of communities.

Provide more tractors-trailers, workers, chemicals, tools and equipments, fuel and regular repair Explore other means of garage collection, e.g. donkey carts

UNHCR/COR/ESCO


5

To conscientisize the mindsets of general populace by integrating the cleanliness drives, gardening and environmental issues in school curriculum, health centres, local government units in support with Ministry of Education

Introduce environmental education in schools curricula.

To construct flood control dykes

UNHCR/COR/ESCO

Jun-Dec 2009 120,000 SDG UNHCR No funds

6

To reforest within the camp and surrounding host communities involving FNC and community to expand the ongoing activities.

Seedling production Land demarcation and preparation. Tree planting Forest protection

UNHCR/ FNC On going till December 2009

300,000 SDG

7

To construct additional tukuls for new arrivals and rehabilitate damaged ones by providing construction materials and community to provide labour. Comprehensive rehabilitation of infrastructure facilities in COR premises.

To accommodate new arrivals especially in Shagareb camps and in other camps as relocation.

UNHCR/COR Jun-Dec 2009 1,000,000 SDG UNHCR

To rehabilitate COR premises in camps and Es Showak.

UNHCR

8 To provide more energy-saving stoves and introduce alternative

Training and awareness raising Construction of improved mud stoves

FNC Jan-Mar 150,000 SDG UNHCR


72

No Recommendation Action Required Responsibility Timeframe Budget

energy sources for cooking.

Provision of liquid petroleum gas as energy alternative

Oct-Dec

9

To bring the livelihood sector into the main stream.

Collaboration with relevant partners.

Implementation of the livelihood strategy.

Review of the self-reliance strategy during implementation.

UNHCR Jun-Dec --

10

Provide agriculture, veterinary extension services and training. FAO to provide agriculture inputs

Agriculture extension training Provide agricultural inputs (seeds, tools)

ACORD FAO

Jun-Dec Oct-Dec 2009

50,000 SDG\ UNHCR

11

To rehabilitate Abuda vocational training school Expand SRC Vocational centre Girba

Needs assessment Rehabilitation of Abuda vocational school.

Provision of necessary equipment for training.

UNHCR/ COR Jun-Dec 2009 500,000 SDG UNHCR UNHCR

12 Establish WatSan committees in each camp

TORs UNHCR/COR June-Dec 2009

13 Establish a Self-Reliance committee in each camp

TORs

21.5 Action Plan: Coordination, Registration and Self-Reliance

No Recommendation Activity Required Responsibility Timeframe Budget Available

funds Shortfall

1

To review tripartite agreement and filter it down to staff in the camps

Activity: - Revise the existing agreement and sign - Dissemination of the existing agreement. - Organize a workshop for a core group - Publish and distribute the revised and signed document - Training of field level staff Implementation arrangement - All agencies distribute the existing agreement to their personnel - WFP lead agency for workshop/training organization with COR/UNHCR participation

WFP/COR/UNHCR

- By mid-June 2009 - By mid-July 2009 - By end-July2009 - Oct 2009

- N/A - 1000USD - 200USD - 4000USD

- N/A - None - None - None

- N/A - 1000USD - 200USD - 4000USD

2

To issue list of names of refugees who missed the verification exercise and submit to UNHCR for verification

Activity: - Preparation of lists - Submission of lists to UNHCR, ongoing activity - Verification of lists Implementation arrangement - COR camp managers in conjunction with the Refugee Camp Elders - UNHCR for verification

COR/UNHCR - By mid-June 2009 - By end-June 2009 - By mid-July 2009

- N/A - N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A - N/A

3

To provide WFP with the list of families selected for GFD

Activity: - List of beneficiaries for the TFD submitted to WFP by UNHCR in May. - Information campaign for TFD carried out by UNHCR/WFP/COR in all camps. - Submission of New

UNHCR/WFP/COR

- Completed - Completed

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A


73


funds Shortfall

Arrivals’ list for GFD to WFP. - Continuous update of the New Arrivals’ list for GFD Implementation arrangement - UNHCR registration unit to finalize and submit required lists. - Verification of the New Arrivals’ list by UNHCR field unit.

- By mid-June 2009 - Ongoing

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A

4

To partner with development agencies to attempt a change in the Government’s policy towards local integration of refugees

Activity: - Advocacy at the Federal Government on local integration as a durable solution. Implementation arrangement - UNHCR Representative and the Commissioner for Refugees to discuss/present the policy matter to Federal Government.

UNHCR/COR - August 2009

- N/A

- N/A

- N/A

5

To consider local integration as a viable option. Informal integration is happening in some camps i.e. Girba and urban centres and Government should take necessary steps to formalize it

Activity: - Advocacy at the Federal Government on local integration as a durable solution. Implementation arrangement - UNHCR Representative and the Commissioner for Refugees to discuss/present the policy matter to Federal Government.


- N/A

- N/A

- N/A

6

To secure more access to agricultural lands in nearby land-based camps whenever feasible eg. Um Gargur and Abuda. There is also a need to review and redistribute land provided in land

Activity: - Explore the possibility of renting/purchasing land from adjacent private farms. - Look into the possibility of crop-sharing arrangement with adjacent land-owners. - Redistribution of land vacated by resettled and voluntary repatriated refugees.

UNHCR/COR - Start planning September 2009 for 2010 season

- To consult for average rental prices to fix budget.

- N/A

- N/A


74


funds Shortfall

based camps like Um Gargour and Abuda since many of the refugees proceeded on voluntary repatriation and yet a great majority of the subsequently consolidated and relocated cases from other locations (closed camps in Gedaref State and transfers from Khartoum) have now no access to land

Implementation arrangement - COR/UNHCR/FNC joint investigation and assessment of the feasibility of the stated approaches under activities.

7

To review the work plan and recommendations of the “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan” as a way forward in addressing the protracted situation

Activity: - Organize a core group to operationalize the work plan and recommendations – workshop. Implementation arrangement - COR/UNHCR/IPs

COR/UNHCR/IPs - Mid-July 2009

- Refer to consultancy report

- None

- Refer to consultancy report.

8

To improve the service delivery in the refugee camps including the self-reliance of the refugees as a prerequisite for sustainable camp closure and consolidation

Activity: - Assessment of gaps in service delivery including New Arrivals with consideration for persons with special needs (UAMs, elderly, medical cases etc). - Rehabilitation in camps earmarked for consolidation and closure. Implementation arrangement - COR/UNHCR

COR/UNHCR/IPs - By end-June 2009. - Assessment to be done for inclusion in

- N/A - Pending

- Pending

- Pending


75


funds Shortfall

September COP deliberations.

9

To review the targeting criteria and selection of beneficiaries for GFD

Activity: - Conduct a Food Security analysis to determine the applicability of existing selection criteria and beneficiary identification. Implementation arrangement - WFP/VAM to conduct a Food Security analysis.

WFP - October 2009

- Pending (Team 1 to be consulted)

- Pending

- Pending

10

To review of the Institutional Feeding Programme

Activity: - Obtain beneficiary list using proGres data from IPs. - Comparison of IPs’ beneficiary lists with GFD lists. Implementation arrangement - IPs to provide WFP with the beneficiary lists. - WFP will compare lists with GFD beneficiaries.

WFP/IPs. - By August 2009 - By August 2009

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A

- N/A - N/A

11

Updating of Contingency Plan.

Activity: - Review all sectors of the current Contingency Plan according to scenarios by COR/UNHCR/WFP and other concerned agencies. Implementation arrangement - IPs to provide WFP with the beneficiary

UNHCR - By end of August 2009

- N/A

- N/A

- N/A

12

To roll-out proGres training to UNHCR, WFP, COR, IPs and CPs staff.

Activity: - Conduct training for targeted groups on proGres. Implementation arrangement - UNHCR

UNHCR - By July 2009

- To be determined

- None

- To be determined

13 Consideration of prima-facie recognition of the

Activity: - Advocacy at the Federal Government on local integration


- N/A

- N/A

- N/A


76


funds Shortfall

Eritrean /Somali asylum seekers.

as a durable solution. Implementation arrangement - UNHCR Representative and the Commissioner for Refugees to discuss/present the policy matter to Federal Government.


77

21.6 Action Plan: Education and School Feeding

No Recommendation Action Required Implementation arrangements Responsibility Time frame

1

To continuously sensitize students on hygiene issue including practical demonstrations

Conduct regular awareness sessions among parents and students.

Construct latrines and provide water containers for hand washing

UNHCR and COR to organize the education sessions and Elsugya to provide the resource persons in all camps

UNHCR/ COR June 2009

2

To start school feeding in some schools, while in others schools, poor families will be supported thru different modalities (e.g. FFT, income generation activities) based on detailed assessments

Rapid assessment for selected schools (Shagrabs, Kilo 26, Wad Sharifey and Abuda) to ensure the basic criteria are met in order to start the school feeding

Implementing the school feeding programme in the school with high drop out rates.

Refer to the other livelihood assessments to implement the other modalities.

COR to ensure the availability of basic infrastructure in order to start the school feeding program e.g. kitchen, store and shed in each school

UNHCR June -July for rapid assessment Start up of school feeding in selected schools in 3rd quarter

3

Regular monitoring of education activities in refugee schools

Initiate regular coordination meetings attended by other stakeholders working in the education sector.

COR to form committee of key stakeholders (incl. PTAs)

COR On going (starts in June)

4

To continue sensitizing parents and the entire community on the importance of education, especially Girl child education GCE

Design and conduct awareness sessions within the camps on the importance of education for parents and entire community

COR in coordination with WFP and UNHCR to agree on the message to be relayed to the entire community.

COR On going (starts in June)

5

To increase the budget to enable the recruitment of more teachers and procurement of additional school supplies

Identify and fill the teachers' gaps according to MoE standards in all refugee camps schools

COR in coordination with UNHCR will identify schools with shortage in teachers.

UNHCR June 2009

6

urgent construction and rehabilitation of class rooms in some camps particularly in Fat el Rahaman camps

Cost estimation by COR/UNHCR and submit to UNHCR for approval and funding

COR/UNHCR to assess and identify the schools in need of urgent intervention.

COR Mid June

7

School fees To increase

access to livelihood opportunities to families

To lobby for funding /scholarship

to increase the budget to support more vulnerable girls

Immediately stop the fees collection at all primary schools in all camps.

Coordinate with UNHCR to pay the formal fees on behalf of the students.

Budget regarding the education to be increased based on the schools needs

Immediate decision from COR to stop all fees collection.

COR in coordination with UNHCR to identify the NO of students in need for scholarship support.

COR June 2009

8

Review the 2008 MOU, revise as necessary by Gaderef State, COR, UNHCR to

Call for a meeting with Gadaref MoE to discuss gaps in implementation

- COR to start the preparation for the meeting

UNHCR June 2009


78

include Um Gargur primary school situation

9

To complete the school infrastructure in camps

UNHCR ensure that remaining work to be done by new partner

UNHCR partner UNHCR August 2009

10

To consult with MoE on the regulation regarding pre- school education

Through education coordination meetings, all policies regarding pre-schools to be reviewed.

Discuss introducing the pre-schools in the refugee camps.

In consultation with MoE and in coordination with UNHCR COR will start collecting all policies and documents related to the pre-schools.

UNHCR August 2009

11

To increase women representation on PTA and other committees to 50%

During formation/ training of PTAs to make sure that women representing 50% on the committee

UNHCR and COR will initiate discussion with the camp elders about the importance of involving women in the committee.

COR June 2009

12

To organise trainings for all PTA members in refugee camp schools

Organize training and refresher training for all committees on regular basis when ever is needed.

COR in coordination with relevant partners to prepare the materials needed for the training based on what is needed on specific period

COR August 2009


79

LIST OF SECONDARY DATA

VALID nutrition reports in Shagareb, Kilo 26 and Wad Sharifey camps, 2009

UNHCR (2008): Self reliance strategy report for refugees in eastern Kassala.

WFP (2007, 2008, 2009): Refugee beneficiary’s data for 2007, 2008, Jan – Mar 2009.

WFP and UNHCR (2008): Joint Nutrition Technical mission to Eastern Sudan refugee camps.

WFP (2007): Annual Needs and Livelihoods refugee assessment, Kassala State and refugees

UNHCR (2009): Food security and Nutrition draft report (food security component incomplete)

UNHCR, WFP (2006): Joint Assessment Mission.

Comprehensive Food Security and Vulnerability Analysis (CFSVA) Rest of Sudan, 2006

UNICEF State Therapeutic feeding programme data (admissions, discharges, deaths)

UNICEF health centres database

UNHCR community health services list of vulnerable households

UNHCR Regional Health Information system annual/monthly reports

Rapid MUAC screening in Shagareb and Um Gargour camps, 2009

Kassala SMOH nutrition preliminary report, 2009

UNICEF Gaderef and Red Sea State SMOH tbc

UNHCR household profiling database tbc by UNHCR

UNHCR (2009): Verified refugee figures

UNHCR (2006): Nutrition survey

WFP: Receipt of WFP food by COR warehouse records

UNHCR, WFP (2006): Joint Plan of Action, review status of implementation.

UNHCR, WFP and COR (2002): Memorandum of Understanding.


80

APPENDICES Appendix 1: Field Schedule

Period (in 2009) Camp Number

of days

20/04/09 Wad Sharifey 1

21/04/09 Shagarabs 1

22/04/09 Suki Team B Kilo 26 Team A

1

23/04/09 Fau 5 Team B Girba Team A

1

24/04/09 Um Gargour Team B Abuda Team A

1

25/04/09 Team reports 0.5

Wrap up presentation of findings and key recommendations

0.5

Total 6


81

Appendix 2: Groups and Key Informants Met

Per Camp* Key Informants Groups

Shagareb (I,II, III) Um Gargour Suki Kilo 26 Fau 5 Wad Sharifey Abuda Girba

COR Camp Manager COR Camp Staff IP Camp Manager IP Country Director Refugee Households Head of Quarters/Zone Medical Coordinator Midwife HIV Coordinator Nutritionists Construction Coordinator Sanitation Coordinator Hygiene Coordinator Water Coordinator IGP Coordinator Agronomists Police Vulnerable Group Representative School Directors/Teachers

Distribution Committee Refugee Committee Women’s Committee Wisdom Committee HIV Club Environment Committee Youth Groups Local Community Leaders SGBV Club Handicap Association Orphan Group Elderly Group IGA beneficiaries

*Each of these groups and key informants was met in each camp if available to the mission

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!!!!!!!!!

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

(((((((((

000000000 252525252525252525 505050505050505050

kilometerskilometerskilometerskilometerskilometerskilometerskilometerskilometerskilometers

ERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREAERITREA

ETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIAETHIOPIA

El FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl FushqaEl Fushqa

Um El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El GuraUm El Gura

DouiemDouiemDouiemDouiemDouiemDouiemDouiemDouiemDouiem

El GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl GutainaEl Gutaina

East El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El JazeeraEast El Jazeera

Um DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm DurmanUm Durman

El FawEl FawEl FawEl FawEl FawEl FawEl FawEl FawEl Faw

El KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl KamlinEl Kamlin

KostiKostiKostiKostiKostiKostiKostiKostiKosti

El JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl JabalianEl Jabalian

SennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennar

El GashEl GashEl GashEl GashEl GashEl GashEl GashEl GashEl Gash

KassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassala

El GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl GalabatEl Galabat

SteetSteetSteetSteetSteetSteetSteetSteetSteet

KassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassala

White NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite NileWhite Nile

KhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoum

SennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennarSennar

El JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl JazeeraEl Jazeera

GedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedaref

Umm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm DurmanUmm Durman

Umm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmUmm DawmKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoum

Shagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIShagarab-I, II & IIIEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl HasaheisaEl Hasaheisa

El ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl ManagilEl Managil

North El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El JazeeraNorth El Jazeera

South El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El JazeeraSouth El Jazeera El GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl GedarefEl Gedaref

El RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl RahdEl Rahd

Nahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr AtbaraNahr Atbara

Jabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal AuliaJabal Aulia

KhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoumKhartoum

Khartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum BahriKhartoum Bahri

Sharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En NileSharg En Nile

m Baddam Baddam Baddam Baddam Baddam Baddam Baddam Baddam Badda

Al Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nahAl Qutay nah

Al MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl MansqilAl Mansqil

Ad Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway mAd Duway m

KustiKustiKustiKustiKustiKustiKustiKustiKusti

AromaAromaAromaAromaAromaAromaAromaAromaAroma

New Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half aNew Half a

Wad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad MadaniWad Madani

RufaahRufaahRufaahRufaahRufaahRufaahRufaahRufaahRufaah

Hajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd AllahHajj Abd Allah

SannarSannarSannarSannarSannarSannarSannarSannarSannar

Al HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl HawatahAl Hawatah

Al QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiAl QuwaysiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs SukiEs Suki

Wad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad RawahWad Rawah

ShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwakShuwak

TesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTesseneiTessenei

SinjahSinjahSinjahSinjahSinjahSinjahSinjahSinjahSinjah

GedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedarefGedaref

KassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassalaKassala

AbudaAbudaAbudaAbudaAbudaAbudaAbudaAbudaAbuda

Awad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El SeidAwad El Seid

Fath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El RahmanFath El Rahman

Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5Fau 5

Kasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El GirbaKasha El Girba

Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26Kilo 26

Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7Kilo 7

Um GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm GargourUm Gargour

Wad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad SharifeWad Sharife

!!!!!!!!!

Sources:UNHCR, Global Insight digital mapping

© 1998 Europa Technologies Ltd.

The boundaries and names shownand the designations used on this

map do not imply official endorsementor acceptance by the United Nations.

Refugee population, Eastern Sudan

Printed: 27 April 2009 karimib@unhcr org

As of 31 March 2009State boundary

International boundary

Secondary road

Railway

Main road

Secondary town or village

Main town or village

County boundary

(((((((((

!!!!!!!!!

Returnee transit centre

Refugee transit centre

Capital

UNHCR Representation

UNHCR Sub office

UNHCR Presence

UNHCR Field office

Refugee camp

Refugee population in EasternSudan (as of March 2009)

TOTAL REFUGEE POPULATION: 62,307

Geographic Information System

Khartoum, Sudan

G I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u mG I S K h a r t o u m

**Registration is still ongoing in urban areas**

Camp_Name No_of_Refugees

Wad Sharife 15,049Shagarab-I 9,879Um Gargour 8,507Kilo 26 7,353Shagarab-II 5,747Kasha El Girba 5,366Shagarab-III 4,918Abuda 2,762Fau 5 894Aw ad El Seid 615Kilo 7 451Fath El Rahman 294Kassala Urban centre 111Wad Sharife Village 361

Appendix 3: Map of Refugee Camps in Eastern Sudan

Source: UNHCR

2009


83

Appendix 4: Update on JAM 2006 Recommandations JAM 2006 Recommendation Status Update

Health and Nutrition 1. Support interventions in relation to

the aggravating factors that are affecting the nutrition status of children under 5 in Wad Sharifey (interventions to improve water quality and sanitation, 2 months blanket SF for children under five)

Done - Extension of pipeline network, - Construction of tap distribution points, - Construction of boreholes, - Construction of elevated tanks

2. Enhance CPs capacity on management and treatment of malnourished children (using MOH guidelines) to improve both the extent and coverage of SFP and TFP in the camps.

Clinicians and home visitors from all camps trained on standard management of SFP and TFP in 2007 and 2008; Protocol updated according to the MOH and WHO guidelines; Nutrition refreshment training conducted to clinicians and nutritionists from all camps in 2008; Anthropometrical measurement kits distributed to all camps; Relevant IEC materials provided by MOH to all camps

3. Strengthen regular nutrition surveillance system for monitoring the nutrition situation in the camps through technical support and tools.

Partly done; Nutrition survey conducted in 2007 and 2009; The new developed health information system introduced in 2007; Rapid MUAC assessment conducted regularly; Nutrition survey conducted in 2007 and 2009; Joint COR/UNHCR monitoring visits to feeding centres conducted

4. Review SFP/TFP differentiating food rations per different categories of beneficiaries (severely malnourished children, moderately malnourish children, pregnant and lactating mothers, inpatients).

Partly done; Food rations are provided to different categories of SFP/TFP clients; review of admission/discharge criteria for adults in therapeutic feeding not implemented

5. Increase number of midwives in clinics (Shagareb (5), Um Gargour (2), Abuda (1) and Wad/Sf (3)) to increase the coverage of emergency delivery cases

Partly done; Number of midwives increased in Shagareb, Um Gargour, Abuda and Wad Sharifey camps

6. Equip delivery rooms with additional delivery kits and beds to meet minimum requirements.

All delivery rooms are equipped to standard in all camps

7. Maintain the quantity of drugs provided to health clinics in all camps as per 2006.

New drug provision system in place since 2008

Water and Sanitation 8. Improve sanitation conditions

(latrines) in hospitals and for FHH through provision of slabs and

Construction for Pit Latrines for FHH was constructed last year, 2008 in the following camps: (200) Abuda, (250) Kilo 26, (350) Shagareb.


84

others construction materials with community participation through FFW activities.

Communal latrines were also constructed in Shagareb with 4 units. Each unit contains 2 bathrooms and 2 latrines. There’s one unit also for unaccompanied minor. No latrines were constructed in hospitals.

9. Provision of materials to repair and maintain flood barriers in Kilo 26 and Um Gargour

Proper flood control dykes were built in Um Gargour, Shagareb and Abuda last year, 2008. Another was also built in Kilo 26 but there’s a need to improve on the construction.

10. Repair and maintenance of hospital roofing in Kilo 26

Food Distributions and Warehouses Improve the general food distribution system through: 11. Verification of caseload figures

and renewal of ration cards. Ongoing: The Phase 1 verification exercise was concluded in December 2008 and the new caseload figures should be used immediately. WFP intents to issue new ration cards using the ProGres data.

12. Improve the GFD system encouraging community participation in food handling/scooping on voluntary and rotational basis and distribution of a full basket per HH in one trip without collection of any fees at distribution sites

DONE and confirmed by WFP-Kassala.

13. Improve food distribution facilities through construction of shades through FFW


14. Distribution of Targeted General Food Basket to approximately 37,000 most vulnerable refugee’s (ANA recommendations)


15. Provision of wet feeding to single new arrivals at Kilo 26 (food preparation to be done through community participation)

Partly done (wet food only first 3 days)

16. Review/standardize distribution register books in all camps and enhance capacity of the store-keepers through training on record keeping


17. Enhance monitoring through monthly joint revision of food distribution schedule, increase joint monitoring activities and monitor/update figures of new arrivals population (Kilo26 and Wad Sharifey)



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18. Enhance information sharing with beneficiaries through the dissemination of information on food rations in distribution sites through verbal information and publication in blackboard/ posters

Not done

19. Repair and maintenance of warehouses in Central Sates and Shagareb 3


20. Review and standardize distribution register books and enhance storekeepers’ capacity through training on record keeping and warehouse management


21. Jointly prepare monthly distribution plan and dispatch as per schedule to allow enhanced monitoring


22. Organize joint assessment quarterly to update new arrival population

This joint assessment should be done regularly as many of the new arrivals flee Shagarabs even before approval of the RSD

23. Enhance information sharing with beneficiaries through the dissemination of information on food ration in distribution sites through publication in blackboard and/or posters

Partly done

24. Repair and maintenance of warehouses in central states and Shagareb 3


25. Enhance warehouse management through the provision of training and stack cards, fumigation/sterilization services, weighing scales, pallets and plastic sheets.


26. Enhance warehouse management (stack cards, fumigation, sterilization and weighing scales, provision of pallets and plastic sheets.


Education, Gender and Protection 27. Enhance community’s ownership

of the schools and strengthen the capacity of parents committees

Partly done; Awareness rising session on importance of education was done during the World Refugee Day.

28. Gender sensitizations PTAs, parents and students to increase girls’ enrolment

Ongoing; PTAs play big roles as member of the selection committee for the scholarship at secondary school level

29. Continue support FFT and income Done; FFT was undertaken with SOLO and proved


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generating activities for refugee’s population, targeting in particular vulnerable groups

successful in the retention of high enrolment figures of participants in the functional adult literacy classes.

30. Target FHH and vulnerable people to support with food assistance (2007 strategy for food reduction)


31. Explore the possibility of introducing School Feeding project to promote girls' education

Implementation not Assessed

32. Promote women participation in all programs, in particular in food distributions, and ensure community leaders and staff members are aware on gender issues.

Partly done; There is a need to select new Refugee/Elders Committee to have equal representation; Refugee Elders Committee which existed for over ten years in all camps was dissolved and fresh elections are being organized to reflect practical reality especially on gender issues; Several discussions with the traditional leaders and camp administration to ensure equal representation of women in camp leadership structures

33. COR to facilitate the issuance/renewal of COR refugee ID cards (unify costs) and explore possibility of extension for the 5 years period

Lobbying and Negotiation with relevant authorities are underway on this crucial issue. The completion of the ongoing verification/registration exercise should lead to a solution as the current COR ID Card will be replaced with ones based on the ProGres software. The issue of non-payment for the new card will be part of UNHCR proposal to COR.

34. Consider possibility of fees exemption for COR ID cards for new arrivals (1year waiver)

Lobbying and Negotiation with relevant authorities are underway on this crucial issue. The completion of the ongoing verification/registration exercise should lead to a solution as the current COR ID Card will be replaced with ones based on the ProGres software. The issue of non-payment for the new card will be part of UNHCR proposal to COR.

35. Create awareness on birth certificate, with explanation on why it is needed, procedures for obtaining, fees and responsible authorities

Partly done; Refugees do on a gratis basis get birth notifications from the Health implementing partners which are utilized in applying for Government issued birth certificates at a normal cost just like the nationals.

36. Update on the finalization of the pending cases (decisions of 1st instance and appeal) in 5 camps

The ongoing verification/registration exercise is meant to address this gap in all its 3 Phases.

37. Follow-up action taken regarding rejected cases and start negotiations with relevant governmental bodies for proposed solution

The action is now all linked to the completion of the 3 Phases of the verification/registration.

38. To explore solutions for other people of concern to UNHCR in

The action is now all linked to the completion of the 3 Phases of the verification/registration.


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closed and opened camps ( RSD no show up cases and RSD not registered)

39. Discuss the travel permits restriction at federal level, with the possibility to lift or extending the validity of travel permits /reducing fees for refugees

No specific breakthrough and the Government has even become stricter due to security concerns.

Self-Reliance 40. Joint UNCHR/WFP/NGOs/COR

advocacy for support of self-reliance and recovery activities

Need to expand ACORD’s IGAs programme including the pursuance of the recommendations of the report on “Self-Reliance Strategy for Refugees in Eastern Sudan”.

41. Promote cooperative system at small scale and strengthening of the revolving fund process (agriculture, livestock and other IGAs)

ROSCA groups in all camps are targeted to shift from a mere credit and saving association into a cooperative. To be undertaken in 2010 Work Plan

42. Support the grant System to access some machinery and inputs by the cooperative societies (e.g. agricultural inputs, donkey carts, milling machines, small shops/ petty trade.

2 Tractors plus accessories were provided for Abuda/Um Gargour and Fau5/Suki in 2008. Additional 3 tractors and accessories now acquired in 2009 for handover to ACORD and deployment to the camps.

43. Implement FFT, skills training, vocational and non – vocational trainings (e.g. handcrafts, tailoring, food processing, literacy, etc) in all camps

Establish partnership with WFP to implement this in 2010

44. Support FFW activities with community participation ((latrines, haffirs, schools and health facilities rehabilitation and seedlings production etc)

Not done; No FFW proposals were received except for seedlings production which was undertaken by FNC. There is a lack of good IPs and project proposals.


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Appendix 5: Number of Beneficiaries of IF and SFP in Kassala State, 2007

Month of Distribution Sub_Office Group Total

Beneficiaries MT

01-01-2007 KASSALA IF 2035 37,85 SFP 4351 35,347 TF 925 KASSALA Total 7311 73,197 01-02-2007 KASSALA IF 2165 40,3 SFP 714 0,941 KASSALA Total 2879 41,241 KASSALA-R SFP 3407 30,106 TF 915 KASSALA-R Total 4322 30,106 01-03-2007 KASSALA SFP 3376 48,14 KASSALA Total 3376 48,14 KASSALA-R SFP 6000 38,73 TF 220 KASSALA-R Total 6220 38,73 01-04-2007 KASSALA IF 2335 44,944 SFP 692 1,872 KASSALA Total 3027 46,816 KASSALA-R SFP 5947 40,322 TF 195 0 KASSALA-R Total 6142 40,322 01-05-2007 KASSALA IF 2875 52,014 SFP 644 4,843 KASSALA Total 3519 56,857 KASSALA-R IF 1577 0 SFP 3354 31,503 TF 136 0 KASSALA-R Total 5067 31,503 01-06-2007 KASSALA IF 2635 47,19 SFP 1164 8,492 KASSALA Total 3799 55,682 KASSALA-R IF 1504 0 SFP 3410 28,988 TF 124 0 KASSALA-R Total 5038 28,988 01-07-2007 KASSALA IF 2375 41,44 SFP 1234 6,563 KASSALA Total 3609 48,003 KASSALA-R IF 1545 0 SFP 3419 35,146 TF 146 0 KASSALA-R Total 5110 35,146 01-08-2007 KASSALA IF 2500 46,073 SFP 1296 7,644 KASSALA Total 3796 53,717 KASSALA-R IF 1306 0 SFP 3593 34,684 TF 348 0


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Month of Distribution Sub_Office Group Total

Beneficiaries MT

KASSALA-R Total 5247 34,684 01-09-2007 KASSALA IF 250 4,357 SFP 1257 7,77 KASSALA Total 1507 12,127 KASSALA-R IF 1306 0 SFP 3593 34,684 TF 348 0 KASSALA-R Total 5247 34,684 01-10-2007 KASSALA IF 10660 145,57 SFP 1453 10,89 KASSALA Total 12113 156,46 KASSALA-R IF 1682 0 SFP 3463 35,82 TF 234 0 KASSALA-R Total 5379 35,82 01-11-2007 KASSALA IF 4960 83,178 SFP 2769 36,572 KASSALA Total 7729 119,75 KASSALA-R IF 1184 0 SFP 19230 330,58 TF 185 0 KASSALA-R Total 20599 330,58 01-12-2007 KASSALA IF 6550 105,64 SFP 1306 79,677 KASSALA Total 7856 185,317 KASSALA-R IF 1221 0 SFP 3897 433,345 TF 151 0 KASSALA-R Total 5269 433,345 Grand Total 134161 1971,215


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Appendix 6: Beneficiaries of Selective Feeding Program

2008 2009 Jan Feb March April May June July Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Total Jan Feb March April Shagrab Camp I, II, III Feeding program <5 children 314 374 276 298 382 395 405 432 433 494 507 490 4,800 405 353 354 348Pregnant 409 498 533 502 498 501 611 545 530 424 444 605 6,100 403 409 444 452Lactate 426 433 428 480 433 443 436 586 593 660 609 561 6,088 547 543 497 371INST feeding 331 393 444 405 444 446 485 491 495 505 509 508 5,456 511 522 530 570Umgargor Camp Feeding program <5 children 227 227 202 208 202 211 245 258 266 269 261 242 2,818 269 239 223 173Pregnant 103 87 101 89 101 103 104 104 105 105 112 93 1,207 112 93 116 137Lactate 171 192 181 193 181 192 183 176 167 172 174 191 2,173 175 188 184 177INST feeding 93 95 136 260 136 144 136 251 176 262 327 202 2,218 382 400 423 553Kilo 26 Camp Feeding program <5 children 201 200 208 208 208 211 240 197 188 225 231 228 2,545 222 187 174 167Pregnant 79 92 92 97 92 93 94 95 94 100 89 75 1,092 80 81 91 90Lactate 113 187 199 190 199 201 202 188 192 184 194 184 2,233 185 196 194 136INST feeding 101 111 123 131 123 125 156 163 162 162 176 90 1,623 181 184 205 212Girba Camp Feeding program <5 children 94 96 91 95 101 103 115 114 118 117 115 116 1,275 114 117 118 114Pregnant 119 124 122 125 130 125 134 132 134 131 133 135 1,544 132 137 140 121Lactate 124 122 125 131 129 131 129 131 133 137 139 138 1,569 139 137 136 144INST feeding 76 87 90 105 99 93 137 145 153 168 152 98 1,403 152 154 152 81Fau-5 Feeding program <5 children 22 25 21 22 19 20 22 25 25 30 23 19 273 15 21 16 22Pregnant 7 12 9 15 7 8 11 14 7 10 8 6 114 6 7 9 11Lactate 21 20 19 10 15 13 13 13 14 13 15 19 185 16 13 12 11INST feeding 67 69 67 66 67 67 67 66 69 69 69 70 813 69 69 70 73Suki Feeding program <5 children 18 16 14 14 15 15 15 13 18 14 15 17 184 10 9 15 10Pregnant 57 60 62 48 49 56 51 56 47 36 46 31 599 26 25 24 38Lactate 40 36 35 39 41 38 47 57 62 67 43 44 549 38 36 38 35INST feeding 231 227 227 236 239 241 244 251 241 244 243 248 2,872 229 229 232 252


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Appendix 7: Number of Planned and Actual Beneficiaries in 2007-2009

2007

January February March April May June

Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS

Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual

Camp

Wad Sharefey 400 350 6.48 4.87 400 550 7.44 6.07 400 300 7.44 5.491 400 500 7.44 4.5975 400 313 7.44 6.025 400 313 7.44 6.025

Kilo 26 1500 1920 24.3 18.362 1500 1715 24.3 22.5005 1500 1705 24.3 25.95 1500 1834 24.3 25.868 1500 1745 24.3 17.435 1500 1770 24.3 24.2774

Total 1900 2270 30.78 23.232 1900 2265 31.74 28.5705 1900 2005 31.74 31.441 1900 2334 31.74 30.4655 1900 2058 31.74 23.46 1900 2083 31.74 30.3024

2008

January February March Apil May June



Camp

Abuda 960 1091 7.78 8.74 960 1,106 7.78 8.93 960 1117 7.78 8.67 960 1150 15.55 17.60 960 1150 15.55 18.22 960 1091 15.55 17.35

Awad El Seed 389 521 3.15 4.09 389 543 3.15 4.17 389 545 3.15 4.57 389 545 6.30 8.82 389 545 6.30 8.79 389 545 6.30 17.27

F/El Rahman 239 289 1.94 2.31 239 289 1.94 2.39 239 276 1.94 2.33 239 289 3.87 4.63 239 289 3.87 4.69 239 289 3.87 9.23

Fau 5 456 664 3.69 5.17 456 - 3.69 0.00 456 664 3.69 4.35 456 601 7.39 10.17 456 601 7.39 9.73 456 664 7.39 10.56

Girba 3129 3129 25.34 25.93 3129 3,225 25.34 26.08 3129 3216 25.34 25.33 3129 3129 50.69 50.49 3129 3129 50.69 50.72 3129 3225 50.69 51.28

Kilo 26 4909 4909 39.76 39.76 4909 4,535 39.76 36.86 4909 4960 39.76 36.09 4909 4909 79.53 78.75 4909 4960 79.53 78.78 4909 4960 79.53 78.65 Kilo 26 New arrivals 1500 1762 24.30 28.67 1500 1,504 24.30 25.80 1500 1522 24.30 26.46 1500 1537 24.30 24.89 1500 1494 24.30 25.50 1500 1512 24.30 78.65

July August September October November December



Camp

Wad Sharefey 400 483 7.44 9.1748 400 483 7.44 9.1748 400 400 7.44 13.769 400 900 7.44 16.3834 400 1266 7.44 21.59

Kilo 26 1500 2958 24.3 27.4055 1500 1867 24.30 27.4624 1500 1500 24.30 24.295 1500 1500 24.3 24.9685 1500 1762 24.3 30.14

Total 1900 3441 31.74 36.5803 1900 2350 31.74 36.6372 0 0 0 0 1900 1900 31.74 38.064 1900 2400 31.74 41.3519 1900 3028 31.74 51.73


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Kilo 7 296 296 2.40 3.67 296 427 2.40 3.61 296 427 2.40 3.24 296 427 4.80 6.88 296 427 4.80 6.60 296 427 4.80 12.94

Shagrab I 4898 5205 39.67 40.60 4898 4,991 39.67 40.74 4898 5205 39.67 42.14 4898 4991 79.35 80.59 4898 4991 79.35 80.90 4898 5205 79.35 82.76

Shagrab II 3059 3229 24.78 25.23 3059 3,119 24.78 27.68 3059 3229 24.78 26.15 3059 3119 24.78 47.22 3059 3119 24.78 50.54 3059 3229 24.78 51.34

Shagrab III 2860 2990 23.17 23.22 2860 2,866 23.17 24.33 2860 2990 23.17 25.94 2860 2866 46.33 46.63 2860 2866 46.33 46.43 2860 2995 46.33 47.62

Um Gargour 4727 4155 38.29 34.04 4727 3,859 38.29 28.44 4727 4727 38.29 37.80 4727 4747 76.58 76.62 4727 4747 76.58 76.89 4727 3687 76.58 86.81 Wad Sharifey 14968 14968 121.24 121.32 14968 14,968 121.24 121.28 14968 14968 121.24 121.32 14968 14968 121.24 242.30 14968 14968 121.24 242.58 14968 15278 121.24 242.92

Total 42390 43208 355.51 362.74 42390 41432 355.51 350.29 42390 43846 355.51 364.38 42390 43278 540.70 695.58 42390 43286 540.70 700.35 42390 43107 540.70 787.38

July August September October November December Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS


Camp

Abuda 960 1091 46.66 36.70 960 0.00 960 960 0.00 37.05 1091 1091 8.67 8.70 1091 1206 8.67 9.40 1091 1206 8.67 9.31 Awad El Seed 389 545 18.91 0.00 389 545 0.00 17.32 389 0.00 545 545 4.33 4.33 545 545 4.33 4.25 545 545 4.33 4.25 F/El Rahman 239 289 11.62 0.00 239 289 0.00 9.21 239 0.00 289 289 2.30 2.28 289 289 2.30 2.26 289 289 2.30 2.26

Fau 5 456 664 22.16 0.00 456 664 0.00 21.09 456 0.00 664 664 5.28 4.69 664 665 5.28 5.19 664 665 5.28 5.19

Girba 3129 3225 50.69 51.11 3129 3225 50.69 50.82 3129 3225 50.69 52.22 3225 3225 25.64 25.61 3225 3225 25.64 25.61 3225 3225 25.64 25.11

Kilo 26 4909 4960 238.58 157.55 4909 0.00 4909 4909 0.00 80.15 4960 4960 39.43 39.37 4960 4960 39.43 38.62 4960 4960 39.43 38.67 Kilo 26 New arrivals 1500 1476 72.90 47.02 1500 0.00 1500 1465 0.00 23.32 1500 1400 23.85 21.99 1500 1364 23.85 21.32 1500 1417 23.85 22.11

Kilo 7 296 427 14.39 0.00 296 427 0.00 13.50 296 0.00 427 427 3.39 3.37 427 427 3.39 3.33 427 427 3.39 3.33

Shagrab I 4898 5205 238.04 165.54 4898 0.00 4898 4898 0.00 84.32 5205 5205 41.38 42.13 5205 5205 41.38 40.56 5205 5205 41.38 40.56

Shagrab II 3059 3229 74.33 102.69 3059 0.00 3059 3059 0.00 52.30 3229 3229 25.67 25.66 3229 3229 25.67 25.16 3229 3229 25.67 25.16

Shagrab III 2860 2995 139.00 95.15 2860 0.00 2860 2860 0.00 48.42 2995 2995 23.81 23.78 2995 2995 23.81 23.33 2995 2995 23.81 23.33

Um Gargour 4727 5460 229.73 173.52 4727 0.00 4727 4727 0.00 88.41 5460 5460 43.41 43.41 5460 5460 43.41 42.61 5460 5460 43.41 42.61 Wad Sharifey 14968 15278 121.24 242.97 14968 15278 121.24 247.48 14968 15278 121.24 244.57 15278 15278 121.46 121.61 15278 15278 121.46 117.41 15278 15278 121.46 119.18

Total 42390 44844 1278.24 1072.25 42390 20428 171.93 359.42 42390 41381 171.93 710.76 44868 44768 368.63 366.93 44868 44848 368.63 359.05 44868 44901 368.63 361.07


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2009

January Feb March Apil

Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS Benf MTS

Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual Plan Actual

Camp

Abuda 1091 1206 8.84 9.30 1091 1,168 8.84 9.30 1091 1171 8.84 8.04 1171 18.95 Awad El Seed 701 545 5.68 4.42 701 545 5.68 4.42 701 545 5.68 4.42 545 8.86

F/El Rahman 50 289 0.41 2.38 50 289 0.41 2.27 50 289 0.41 2.33 289 9.36

Fau 5 664 665 5.38 5.50 664 665 5.38 5.50 664 665 5.38 5.50 665 11.00

Girba 3225 3225 26.12 25.84 3225 3,225 26.12 25.84 3225 3225 26.12 26.08 3225 52.16

Kilo 26 4960 4960 40.18 40.10 4960 4,960 40.18 40.15 4960 4960 40.18 39.17 4960 80.22 Kilo 26 New arrivals 1500 1421 24.30 23.10 1500 1,426 24.30 22.73 1500 1413 24.30 23.17 1411 22.88

Kilo 7 427 427 3.46 3.45 427 427 3.46 3.44 427 427 3.46 3.44 427 6.72

Shagrab I 5205 5205 42.16 42.17 5205 5,205 42.16 42.18 5205 5205 42.16 42.16 5205 84.15

Shagrab II 3229 3229 26.15 26.15 3229 3,229 26.15 26.15 3229 3229 26.15 26.13 3229 52.09

Shagrab III 2995 2995 24.26 24.30 2995 2,995 24.26 24.30 2995 2995 24.26 24.24 2995 48.45

Um Gargour 5460 5463 44.23 44.26 5460 5,463 44.23 44.23 5460 5463 44.23 44.29 5463 88.42 Wad Sharifey 15278 15278 123.75 123.73 15278 15,278 123.75 0.00 15278 15278 123.75 245.56 0 0.00

Total 44785 44908 374.91 374.70 44785 44875 374.91 250.51 44785 44865 374.91 494.53 0 29585 0.00 483.25


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Appendix 8: Terms of Reference - JAM 2009

TERMS OF REFERENCE

WFP / UNHCR JOINT ASSESSMENT MISSION

EASTERN SUDAN April 2008

I. Background and Objectives

The refugee caseload in Sudan is one of the longest protracted refugee situations in the world with refugees fleeing conflicts in neighbouring Eritrea and Ethiopia. More than 234,000 asylum seekers and refugees are living in refugee camps while others have been assimilated into the local communities. The refugees were initially housed in twenty-six open camps established between 1967 and 1985. However since 2004, UNHCR has been in the process of consolidating camps and closing others, in order to facilitate the gradual integration of the refugees into the local communities. There is consensus amongst key partners working with the refugees that there is a need for dynamic and creative programming that can both support self-reliance activities and livelihood stability for the majority, while continuing to support the full food needs for the acutely food insecure and vulnerable minority. For all refugees living in UNHCR/WFP/COR supported camps, refugees have rights to the provision of basic education, health, and nutrition services until they are able to meet these needs on their own. The 2009 JAM is challenged with recognizing the delicate balance between essential support, unhealthy dependency and work to develop strategies that both promote refugee self-sufficiency as well as support vulnerable refugees that need full assistance. Of particular concern are the high rates of global acute malnutrition that are in six of the eight camps, well above basic standards. Preliminary nutrition survey results (January 2009) have indicated that malnutrition has increased since the 2007 survey. The 2006 JAM recommended a decrease in the food aid support to the refugee caseload with 43% of refugees receiving food and the remaining 57% no longer eligible for direct food assistance. Instead, the 57% were to be targeted with safety net FFW/FFT activities. 75% of total verified refugees are currently receiving food assistance while the impact of the safety net programme is unclear. While substantial improvements have been made in the health and water sectors in the camps in the last two years, the service infrastructure is still not fully meeting the needs of the refugees in all camps and this is highlighted as a contributing factor to the health and nutrition situation as well. The Joint UNHCR/WFP/COR Mission with participation from USAID will review:

1) Food: The overall food and non-food supply situation of the refugees in eastern Sudan, with special focus on the current targeting criteria used for enrolment in the general food distribution program.

2) Health and Nutrition: The means of improving their nutritional status taking into consideration both

food and non-food needs;


The nutritional and health status of the beneficiaries in view of assessing the quality and effectiveness of supplementary and therapeutic feeding programmes, the current interventions of supplementary feeding (TFP, SFP, hospital feeding and others- including HIV, TB related feeding);

Specific recommendations of the 2007 Joint UNHCR/WFP Nutrition mission to Eastern Sudan refugee camps - as well as relevant data from other available reports including the last JAM in 2006, nutrition surveys and food security/consumption and UNHCR partner monitoring reports – in light of the current situation on the ground and provide specific recommendations to address outstanding concerns relating to best infant feeding practices, nutritional screening, mineral and vitamin supplementation, and issues relating to the prevention of malaria and other diseases;

UNHCR/COR/WFP plans of action to address malnutrition and anaemia; Ongoing public health challenges that affect overall health of the refugee

population, e.g. anaemia and problems related to pregnancy and childbirth; 3) Registration: review the registration process for all refugees with special reference to

new arrivals. 4) Logistics: Review the logistics and warehousing arrangements with special reference

to the food distribution system, high costs and EDP arrangements. The mission will make recommendations, which will form part of the submission to the project document of the next phase of the Protracted Relief and Recovery Operation to the WFP Executive Board approval in May 2009.

II. JAM Specific Tasks The mission will undertake the following tasks:

1. Food Security and Coping Mechanisms 1.1 Review the food and non-food supply situation of the refugee population in

eastern Sudan to identify what new mechanisms are necessary to ensure a regular and adequate pipeline of both food and non-food items.

1.2 Review the targeting criteria established in 2007 to guarantee that vulnerable households are included; review safety net targeting of households not receiving general food assistance.

1.3 Assess the adequacy of the WFP general food ration and UNHCR complementary food. Review methods of food processing including milling and cooking habits, as well as the acceptability of food being provided and explore the reasons why certain commodities are being sold;

1.4 Determine the composition and ration sizes of food to be included in future food assistance and review the targeting mechanism for the most vulnerable members of the refugee community, including chronically ill persons, school children, children under the age of five and pregnant and lactating mothers;

1.5 Review issues concerning protection of female refugees; 1.6 Review women’s participation in distribution and management of food aid as

well as in outreach programmes which primarily target female refugee population with regards to breast-feeding and reproductive health issues;

1.7 Assess the food security and future food and non-food aid requirements taking


into account population projections, sustainability and support activities undertaken by the refugees and alternative food assistance methods such as FFA schemes;

1.8 Explore refugees’ access to alternative food and income sources and identify coping mechanisms, their effectiveness and levels of food dependency.

2. Logistics, Warehousing, Non-food Items, Roads

2.1 Review the operational and cost efficiency of transportation including issues of

poor road conditions (access roads and inter-camp roads), insecurity on the roads and transport cost fluctuations, and assess potential methods of improvement;

2.2 Review quantity and condition of warehousing with regards to strategic pre-positioning of food at the EDPs as well as to commodity management and food quality, warehouse checklist to be amended.

2.3 Review the management of EDPs and the food chain and suggest potential improvements, especially as regards to the organization and cost of food distribution and warehouse losses; review responsibilities for food receipt, storage and management as agreed under the tripartite agreement;

2.4 Review the adequacy of emergency buffer stocks and warehousing of potential influx of new arrivals in eastern Sudan and of access road impassability during rain seasons);

2.5 Review quality of current food distribution (FDP) facilities; 2.6 With reference to items 2.1-2.5 above, review adequacy of on-going repair and

rehabilitation project of warehouses, EDPs and FDPs; 2.7 Assess logistics aspects to align with UNHCR programme of camp

consolidation and closure; 2.8 Assess the NFIs being distributed with special focus on issue of adequacy of

firewood distributions; 2.9 Assess option of introducing milling facilities at camps (EDPs), including

assessment of operational and financial aspects. 2.10 Review disposal of empty containers, sales process and use of the proceeds of

the empty containers.

3. Health, Nutrition and Education/School Feeding

3.1 Review the recommendations from the previous JAM in 2006 to verify status of their implementation;

3.2 Review breast feeding practices of all refugee mothers, including those that are HIV positive and examine impact of programmes to promote exclusive breast-feeding for 6 months, how they have been implemented and potential impact on maternal/child health and birth spacing;

3.3 Review programmes that provide supplementary food to support people living with HIV/AIDS including access to supplementary feeding without stigma and discrimination;

3.4 Review other programmes affecting health and nutrition, particularly malaria, safe motherhood, iron deficiency anaemia, HIV/AIDS, and water and sanitation issues/conditions;

3.5 Identify potential for a school feeding programme in order to increase enrolment and attendance rates especially for female students. Explore whether


food aid or other incentive items (including sanitary materials, separate pit latrines) could help to improve attendance rates;

3.6 Review the impact of the existing FFT ration as an educational incentive and consider costs and potential impact of providing sanitary towels/materials as an additional incentive to attendance.

4. Environment, Water And Sanitation, Agriculture And Livestock, Shelter

4.1 Review quality and type of water sources, latrine coverage and garbage

collections services. 4.2 Review water, sanitation and hygiene practices as well as environmental health

related issues as they relate to the nutrition and health of refugees; 4.3 Review both food and non-food assistance, paying particular attention to the

issue of fuel used to prepare food (i.e. firewood) provided to host community in light of endemic food insecurity in the areas surrounding the refugee camps including ongoing PRRO FFW activities in Kassala state through the WFP Emergency Operation, as well as health and nutrition activities;

4.4 Review female refugees’ access to fuel and water.

5. Refugee Registration, Numbers, New Arrivals, And Durable Solutions

5.1 Review and assess registration system for new arrivals vis-à-vis refugee entitlements/food distributions;

5.2 Review issues affecting the size of refugee population and the impact of food needs, especially the registration of Eritrean asylum seekers in Shagareb given the large influx in 2007/8 and repatriation and policies to dissuade new arrivals;

5.3 Review and provide recommendations on existing contingency plans to assist large influx of new asylum seekers in Shagareb and evaluate potential for voluntary repatriation exercise;

5.4 Explore the impact of existing camp projects such as the FFW and income-generating activities and identify what new measures should be explored to ensure that the refugees achieve the maximum possible level of sustainable self-reliance pending a durable solution;

5.5 Review Government of Sudan/COR’s encampment policy and its affects on refugees and explore potential interim solutions and ways forward;

5.6 Review/assess overall registration system vis-à-vis challenge to reduce/eliminate fraud;

5.7 Review process of refugee determination status and make recommendations to speed it up;

5.8 Review and summarize current status of “biometric registration” process and plans to implement the same;

5.9 Investigate the reasons why the refugees are reportedly fleeing from the camps.

6. Additional issues

6.1 Relations to host communities (initiatives to ensure employment possibilities, FFA projects etc);

6.2 Review current security arrangements (including agreements, facilities, armed escort services and relations to local authorities).


The mission will review and analyse available reports (UNHCR monitoring reports and refugee database) and WFP/COR secondary data on food security, nutritional status, self-reliance and the general well-being of the refugees and the host community. The mission will use the 2006 JAM and 2007 technical mission recommendations as a starting point to determine what has happened since 2006 and then analyse the subsequent Joint Plan of Actions between UNHCR/COR/WFP to determine the key areas of activities. It will also consult relevant individuals in WFP, UNHCR, COR, donors, local and international NGOs and other Government ministries in both Kassala and Khartoum. Donor representatives will be invited to join the mission as observers. The mission will visit eastern Sudan refugee camps and hold discussions with field WFP, UNHCR, COR, other UN agencies, implementing partners and refugees. III. De-Briefing and Report The mission will hold debriefing sessions in Kassala, Khartoum with COR, other Government representatives, WFP, UNHCR and implementing partners as deemed necessary. The mission will produce a report depicting the areas addressed in the terms of reference and providing UNHCR, COR and WFP with specific recommendations for the design and implementation of the next expansion of WFP PRRO, and set the basis for the new tripartite agreement 2009. The draft report will be submitted to UNHCR, WFP Headquarters and COR main office within 15 days of the ending of the mission. Based on comments, the mission will then prepare a final report.

joint assessment mission 2009 eastern sudan · fnc forest national corporation fo field office ......

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