FROM: Sudan Infonet The following report was received from UN/OLS giving the November and December monthly report of activities. Sudan Infonet has taken the liberty to reformat into a text version. The content remains the same except that page numbers have been removed since they are not relevent on email. Regards, SI Administrator ___________________________________________________ UNITED NATIONS OPERATION LIFELINE SUDAN SOUTHERN SECTOR OLS is a consortium of UN and non-government agencies working with the people of southern Sudan, whose survival, protection and development is jeopardized by the complex emergency and chronic underdevelopment. In striving to meet the needs of the southern Sudanese, OLS saves lives, promotes self-reliance, protects people's safety and dignity and enables them to invest in their future. - OLS Southern Sector mission statement, January 1997 MONTHLY REPORT November/December 1997 Contents: OLS programmes update: UNICEF/OLS Planning Retreat Annual Needs Assessment and the 1998 Appeal for Sudan Visit of Ambassador van Schaik Emergency Preparedness Activities Household Food Security World Food Programme update Health and Nutrition Education/Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances Humanitarian Principles General Situation: Security Flight Clearances List of abbreviations OLS Programmes Update Planning Retreat UNICEF/OLS southern sector held a planning retreat with the aim of identifying strategic issues that will form the basis for 1998 plans of action. The retreat participants, including representatives from OLS NGOs and WFP, were divided into several working groups which dealt with different issues relevant to OLS activities in the coming year. Towards the end of the retreat, donors were invited for a summary and dialogue on the retreat's conclusions on priorities and strategies to address areas of need in 1998. Among the significant decisions reached as part of this process were the following: The OLS consortium must be prepared to meet emergency needs as they arise in 1998. We are concerned that a combination of renewed and intensified conflict and climatic fluctuations will result in increased humanitarian needs during the year. As part of its preparations for the predicted increase in emergency needs, UNICEF/OLS will be constituting and training an Emergency Response Team based in and out of Lokichokio. The most far-reaching decision made concerns the air bridge. During the second half of the year, every OLS member agency will be expected to cover the full cost of movement of passengers and cargo needed by its programmes. During the first half of 1998, the mode of operations of the air bridge will continue as per the current practice to give OLS agencies the time to prepare and adjust to the system of full cost recovery. The actual switch will occur sometime between July and September. After OLS switches to the system of cost recovery, the UN system (WFP and UNICEF) will still manage the air bridge but each OLS member agency will cover its own air transport costs. From that point on, UNICEF/OLS will only raise air bridge funds for common OLS services, such as security, movement of senior counterpart officials for coordination purposes or to address adherence to humanitarian principles, a limited contingency for SINGOs etc. as well as its own programmes. Even before the switch to full cost recovery, during the first half of the year, certain categories of passengers and cargo (such as headquarter visitors, journalists, donors, incentives, building materials) will be expected to cover their own costs as is currently the case. The full management implications of this decision have yet to be worked out, but efforts will be made to maintain the share-a-ride practice which increases efficiency and reduces costs. A new simplified Letter of Understanding (LOU) will be issued which contains: a) The LOU/Consortium Membership Agreement, containing the principles on which OLS is based; b) A Programme Annex which is an executive summary of the programmes developed by the NGOs; c) A simplified Logistics Annex which will allow the consortium and its donors to determine total cargo and passenger needs. As part of the new LOU process, NGOs will be expected to submit copies of the project proposals developed for their donors including a budget summary to UNICEF/OLS in the same way that UNICEF/OLS has been sharing its project and budget information with the rest of the consortium. As of March 1998, most cargo going to Western Equatoria (and Lakes during the dry season) will go by road. Only high value low volume cargo and limited passenger movement will be carried out by air. When the OLS member agencies begin paying for their own passenger and cargo movements during the second half of the year, they will be free to resume more extensive flights to Western Equatoria if they and their donors feel the cost is justified. The Hub and Spoke concept developed in Lokichokio will be used which combines flights by the Buffalo and the Caravan to reduce the cost of moving cargo used with hubs in: Upper Nile/Jonglei - Waat, Leer, Panyagor Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes - Mapel, Marial, Billing Equatoria - Yambio UNICEF/OLS will establish a permanent presence in Arua and Yei to function as a liaison for the OLS member agencies with the local authorities and facilitate the transit of passengers and cargo. Given the existence of numerous hotels, restaurants and storage facilities in Arua and the existence of commercial flights to and from the town, OLS management will not establish an infrastructure similar to the Lokichokio base camp there. The Service Fee in Lokichokio needs to be increased from $3 per overnight stay to $5 per overnight stay to cover a greater proportion of the camp's running costs. This decision is subject to final negotiations with the NGOs. UNICEF/OLS will continue its effort to employ more Sudanese in professional and support positions. Specifically, Sudanese driver/mechanics will be identified to fill in new slots. UNICEF/OLS will reduce the range of inputs it provides consortium NGOs but will make efforts to provide the limited range it agrees to deliver in a timely and effective manner. Thus, for example, in the Health Sector, UNICEF/OLS will no longer supply PHCC or PHCU kits to INGOs (certain SINGO and Counterpart programmes will continue to be supported if agreed to by common arrangement). It will also no longer provide diesel for various INGO activities. It will, however, continue to provide inputs into the EPI cold chain including kerosene (the same applies to the Livestock cold chain). The Education Sector similarly will continue teacher training and the supply of education kits, while continuing to reduce and, in some areas, altogether cutting their school uniform programme. For the first time since it was established in 1989, UNICEF/OLS will be receiving an administrative budget from its headquarters in New York. Part of this budget will be used to move to new premises in Gigiri which will give it more room to operate thereby creating a better work atmosphere and increasing efficiency. Annual Needs Assessment and the 1998 Appeal for Sudan Each year, OLS consortium members coordinate to conduct a needs assessment, which determines the areas of concern and shortfalls anticipated for the coming year. The assessment then forms the basis for OLS programme and budget planning. Based on this report, UNICEF and WFP, will appeal for funding to continue, and in some cases expand, humanitarian efforts in 1998. The 1998 UN Interagency Appeal for Sudan is due to be released in mid-February, and will outline the budget and justification for funds requested for the year. Visit of Ambassador van Schaik... The Secretary General's Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs for the Sudan, Robert van Schaik, visited the region for a second time in November to continue meetings with Government officials, OLS, and all parties concerned with humanitarian issues in Sudan. Ambassador van Schaik assumed the position in mid-1997, following the retirement of Ambassador Vieri Traxler. Emergency Preparedness Activities... On 20-29 November, the SRRA and UNICEF/OLS conducted an assessment to form an Equatoria contingency plan for emergency preparedness focusing on the West Bank. The assessment arose out of reports of several thousand people that had fled Juba town and its environs due to food shortages and insecurity. The assessment covered Katigiri Payam, Juba County 144 kms north of Yei (Wonduruba, Katigiri, Tulyang and Lugware centres), Lui and Jambo in Mundri County and Kajo Keji town. The objectives of the assessment were: a) the identification of local response capacity, including organizations, medical and logistic resources; b) the identification and prioritization of actions and resources required to reduce immediate risks to the vulnerable population; c) to collect data and information that can be utilized by interested parties to effectively plan any assistance. The assessment report stated that an escalation in the conflict around Juba could lead to an expected outflux of 150,000-200,000 civilians from the town and its environs. Expected catchment areas were identified and recommendations made for emergency preparations. It was concluded from the assessment, that there was a need to strengthen existing systems, especially water, health and storage facilities. It was suggested that supplies be pre-positioned in anticipated areas of possible mass movement and that local counterparts were in need of training. Household Food Security Soap-making workshop held A soap-making and blacksmith workshop, initiated by SCF-UK and the SRRA, took place in Mapel, with 30 participants from the Kwajina and Wau County communities. The course aimed to encourage self-sustaining projects through skills training. MSF-Belgium personnel also attended the workshop. Livestock VSF-DZG-Belgium continued a five-month stockperson workshop in Marial during November and December, with lessons ranging from lectures on skins and hides, to a mini-workshop on the OLS livestock programme as a whole. Positive reports were also received from the animal health auxiliary (AHA) training in Mankien. Students who graduated from the AHA training plan to use their livestock skills in their home areas. WFP update November During the month, WFP delivered a total of 2,438 metric tonnes of food aid commodities to 285,429 beneficiaries in areas around southern Sudan. This included deliveries in: Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes - Ayein, Bararud, Malual Akon, Mapel, Turalei, Agangrial, Akot, Billing, Lunyaker, Marial and Wullu Upper Nile/Jonglei - Aburoc, Duar, Ganyliel, Leer, Mankien, Nyal, Akobo, Boma, Kolmerek, Lanken, Manajang, Pakuor, Paliau, Paluer and Wiernyol Equatoria - Maridi, Yei, Chukudum, Kalacha, Kalok, Kaludo, Kapoeta, Lachua, Lokutok, Lolim, Mogos, Marurengen, Napotpot, Narus, Natinga and Parajok. Some 146 metric tonnes of the total amount were channeled through NGO-implemented supplementary and in-patient feeding and food-for-work/training projects implemented through SCF-UK, IRC, DOT, ACROSS, COSV, MSF-Holland, WVI, CCM, MSF-Belgium and NCA. December During the month, WFP delivered a total of 928 metric tonnes of food aid commodities to 155,695 beneficiaries around southern Sudan. This included deliveries in: Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes - Baar, Amou, Wunrok and Gogrial (on behalf of WFP northern sector) Equatoria - Khorjeep, Kalokupe, Narus, Natinga, Keyala, Yei, Longamere, Limbe, Loka and Laninya. An additional 74 metric tonnes were channeled through NGO-implemented supplementary and in-patient feeding and food-for-work/training projects implemented through ACROSS, IRC, COSV, MSF-Holland, MSF-Belgium, CCM, MEDAIR, Radda Barnen, DOT, MDM, OSIL, NPA, Medic, AAH, SMC, and NCA. Health and Nutrition Sleeping Sickness Update Agencies involved in the control and treatment of sleeping sickness met at the IMC offices on 28 October to discuss a joint strategy to combat the disease. The programme was given a tentative duration of 12-months. Separate strategies were being developed for each county of Western Equatoria. In Tambura County, IMC and CARE personnel began treatment and control of the sleeping sickness epidemic. IMC aims to decrease morbidity and mortality by initiating an immediate treatment programme and re-establishing a regional sleeping sickness surveillance/control programme to prevent the re-occurrence of the disease. CARE will oversee project logistics while IMC will manage medical activities. An epidemic of sleeping sickness is defined as a prevalence of greater than 2% of a defined area. Tambura County and adjoining payams are reported to have 20% of men, women and children affected. IMC is coordinating the sleeping sickness intervention on behalf of OLS agencies. In November, IMC began treatment of Stage II sleeping sickness patients at the Tambura County Hospital. Planning for Stage I treatment was ongoing in the Ezo centre, which included selection and training of staff. IMC's team of two doctors, two nurses and one site manager were also in the process of designing active case detection forms, staging forms and the initiation of a computerized data programme to improve the efficiency of identifying priority patients and treatment. They report that 31 patients had been treated in Tambura while another 73 were either in the treatment process or expected for treatment. Finally, a prevalence survey was conducted in Mabia on 24 November and surveys in Mupoi and Moso areas were planned to follow soon after. National Immunization Days team preparing in Nairobi Staff from the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization began strategic planning in November for the southern Sudan branch of the National Immunization Days (NIDs) being conducted globally to achieve the world-wide goal to eradicate Polio from the planet by the year 2000. The team, comprised of a public health practitioner, a public health physician and an expert in cold chain logistics, began work on the advocacy, education and immunization programme that is planned for February and March 1998 in every possible area around southern Sudan. The team visited at least 14 locations during December to address questions regarding logistical concerns, access issues, training/mobilization of immunizers and other issues related to planning. Following the initial planning stages, more personnel will be recruited to disseminate information and train local community members who will carry out the immunization process. In southern Sudan, some 650,000 children have been targeted for immunization. Health coordination meeting On 3-5 December, nearly 40 personnel from UNICEF, counterpart and NGO health programmes gathered for the quarterly Health Coordination meeting. This meeting focused on a review of 1997 activities and planning for 1998. Activities in the coming year include the National Immunization Days (NIDs) and the Call for Children (a health initiative on immunization and diarrhoea control). Major decisions taken included a 1998 review of health services provided by OLS within southern Sudan. To this end, the meeting approved the terms of reference for a consultant to perform the review during the first quarter of the year. The next health coordination meeting will be held in March. Surgical activities in the Billing hospital Dr Tom Raassen of AMREF successfully completed his surgical mission in Billing during November, working with CCM in the local hospital to do corrective surgery on women suffering from Vescico Vaginal Fistulae (VVF). VVF afflicts women of child-bearing age and is correctable through various surgical procedures. During his six day visit to the area, he performed 11 operations. These surgeries are part of the medical services that CCM is planning to offer women experiencing post-natal complications. Also in the Billing hospital, over 300 cataract patients have been screened for operations. The interventions will be conducted by Christoffel Blinden Mission which is planning to visit the area in March 1998. Finally, laboratory training is scheduled to take place in the Billing hospital in January 1998, with an expert from Italy as the primary trainer. Nutrition study in Labone A team comprised of staff from UNICEF, SRRA, CRS, NCA and IRC traveled to Labone on 12 November to carry out a nutrition study of the area. The team also assessed the Nimule and Aswa areas on 15 November. Results of the survey, which have not yet been released, will determine the nutritional status of children in the location following the expulsion of ACF by the SPLM. A food economy and utilization survey, to be conducted in January, will attempt to determine why malnutrition levels have been unusually high in these camps. Education/Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances (CEDC) Education Coordination meeting The Education Coordination Committee (ECC) including UNICEF, counterparts and NGOs involved in the Education Sector met on 11 December to review activities in 1997 and plan for 1998. The committee dealt with constraints faced during the year and received recommendations for 1998 planning focusing specifically on teacher training. The group also discussed the process of Letters of Understanding with UNICEF and how the funding status in 1998 will effect programme planning. The meeting included a special presentation on books available for adolescents on HIV/AIDS and how the material can be integrated into the education programme through links with the Health Sector. Finally, the group discussed the impact of the services provided by the Education sector and the quality of education within southern Sudan. The next coordination meeting will be held in March 1998. Special English course held in Mundri MRDA held a one-month special English course for 47 women in Mundri during October, which set the stage for fifteen of the participating women to be trained as nursery school teachers during November. Twenty others will join the three-months Phase I teacher training course to be run by MRDA beginning the second week of January 1998. The remaining 12 women will join the second teacher training course in April. Intensive English training conducted in Leer and Akot Radda Barnen, in partnership with the Windle Charitable Trust, conducted a three-week Intensive English Language training course for 32 Trainers of Trainers (TOT) in Leer. A similar course took place in Akot during October as part of the overall education programme. The training is aimed at improving the English language proficiency of the trainers in order to reduce communication difficulties experienced in training and to add quality to training activities. In Akot, similar training is ongoing, with an increasing number of untrained teacher receiving training. Some 18 trainers (TOTs) are running courses for 56 teachers from 13 schools. Life-skills programmes in Leer and Akot Ongoing life-skills programmes in Leer and Akot run by Radda Barnen continued in November and December to conduct tailoring courses for children. The programme has produced over 1000 school uniforms which have been distributed to schools. The life-skills training is aimed at helping to improve the enrolment of girls in school. Education workshop held in Kotobi MRDA facilitated a two-week Supervisors Review workshop in Kotobi, with a total of 50 participants from Maridi, Mundri, Yambio and Yei areas. The workshop, which ended on 30 November, focused on identifying new teacher Supervisors, evaluating the performance of existing Supervisors and planning for a second Supervisors course. The workshop was supported by Christian Aid and SRRA Education Coordinators from the areas involved. Humanitarian Principles Women's legal aid clinic in Maridi The New Sudan Women's Federation (NSWF), together with the UNICEF Humanitarian Principles programme, held a three-day training workshop on women's legal rights based primarily on the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the African Charter on Human Rights. The 29 participants were from various SRRA administrative bodies as well as from traditional administrations and women's groups. NSWF's legal aid clinic will target the various community groups in order to create awareness on the right of women and girls to education, employment and greater involvement in the decision-making process. Ground Rules workshops resume in RASS-held areas Ground rules workshops were held between late October and mid-November in Ganyliel and Akobo, with 320 people participating. Major topics discussed were Nuer traditional values, the CRC, the Geneva Conventions and the OLS Ground Rules. Other issues addressed included child education, reunification, child soldiers and the felt need for an increase in NGO activities to RASS-held areas. Security update Relocations of OLS staff 8 November: OLS staff were relocated from Nhaildiu. 10 November: OLS staff were relocated by road from Ayein but returned shortly after. 28 November: OLS staff in Ayein relocated. 30 November: OLS staff were relocated from Marial Bai to an area 40 minutes away following reports of cattle raiding. They returned on 1 December. 1 December: OLS staff were relocated from Ajak. 6 December: OLS staff were relocated from Duar. 7 December: OLS staff were relocated from Mankien. They returned on 14 December. 7 December: OLS staff were relocated from Bararud. 14 December - WFP relocated from Khorjeep to Narus after hearing gunfire nearby 17 December - IRC staff relocated from Maiwut due to fighting nearby. 20 December - WFP staff in Padit were relocated. 30 December - OLS staff of IRC relocated from Marial Bai to an area 40 minutes away. They returned to Marial Bai on 1 January. 31 December - OLS staff relocated from Akobo Reported Bombings5 November in Yei 30 November in Maridi Other incidents 17 November: An armed man shot and killed the wife of the Anglican Bishop of Yambio and at least one other person before killing himself in what appeared to be a family related matter. No NGO staff were involved. 3 December: Two UN water staff coming from Sudan border to Lokichokio came upon the shooting of a Kenyan police officer allegedly by a Sudanese male. 8 December: A truck carrying WFP food was attacked 40km from Lokichokio. The driver was wounded. Northern Uganda It was reported that there were two incidents of landmine explosions on the Koboko-Yumbe (Koboko-Moyo) Road. NGOs were advised to speak with Ugandan security officials before travelling on these roads. Flight clearances... November The Government of Sudan approved the November flight clearance lists for Lokichokio-based flights into southern Sudan with the following exceptions: - Ajiep, Akak, Theik Thou, Akon, Mayen Abun, Agaigai, Panyagor, Yomciir and the Nuba Mountains. Clearances were received on Friday, 31 October. OLS Southern Sector welcomed the timely notification of flight clearances as a significant and positive contribution to ongoing humanitarian efforts. December The Government of Sudan approved the December flight clearance lists for Lokichokio-based flights into southern Sudan with the following exceptions: - Ikotos, Labone, Panyagor, Yomciir, Mundri, Maridi, Yei, Kajo Keji, Ajiep, Akon, Mayen Abun, Lietnhom, Akak. Other flight issues On 9 November, an OLS Buffalo aircraft was ordered not to land in Yei by the Juba control tower. The aircraft was forced to return to Lokichokio. The Buffalo was again turned back on 18 November during another attempt to deliver relief supplies. List of Abbreviations AAH Aktion Afrika Hilfe ACROSS Association of Christian Resource Organizations Serving Sudan ADRA Adventist Development and Relief Agency AIC African Inland Church ACF Action Contre la Faim ANV Association of Napata Volunteers ARC American Refugee Committee CAHW community animal health worker CARE Cooperative for American Relief Everywhere CCM Comitato Collaborazione Medica CEDC children in especially difficult circumstances CHW community health worker CIDA Canadian International Development Agency CMA Christian Mission Aid COSV Coordinating Committee for Voluntary Service CRRS Cush Relief and Rehabilitation Society CRS Catholic Relief Services DOT Diocese of Torit ECHO European Community Humanitarian Office EPI expanded programme of immunization FEWS Famine Early Warning System FFW food for work FRRA Fashoda Relief and Rehabilitation Association GAA German Agro Action GOS Government of Sudan HHFS household food security IARA Islamic African Relief Agency ICRC International Committee of the Red Cross ICRI International Child Research Institute IMC International Medical Corps IRC International Rescue Committee IRL Institute of Regional Languages MDM Medecins du Monde MEDIC Medical Emergency Development International Committee MRDA Mundri Relief and Development Association MSF Medecins sans Frontieres MT metric tonnes NCA Norwegian Church Aid NGO non-governmental organization NPA Norwegian People's Aid NSCC New Sudan Council of Churches OLS Operation Lifeline Sudan ORS oral rehydration salts PCOS Presbyterian Church of Sudan PHCC/PHCC Primary Health Care Centre/Primary Health Care Unit RASS Relief Association of South Sudan SCF Save the Children Fund SDR Swiss Disaster Relief SINGO Sudanese indigenous non-governmental organization SMC Sudan Medical Care SPLA/M Sudan People's Liberation Army/Movement SRRA Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Association SSIA/M South Sudan Independence Army/Movement SUPRAID Sudan Production Aid TBA traditional birth attendant UNHCR United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees UNICEF United Nations Children's Fund USAID United States Agency for International Development VSF Veterinaries sans Frontieres WFP World Food Programme WVI World Vision International - - - - - - - - - - - Distributed by Sudan Infonet An Information Service of the Sudan Working Group--USA SudanInfonet@compuserve.com 1/27/98 10:26 AM