August 2011 Sudan Field Report
I. Context / Situation
While the transition into formal independence has in the short term been remarkably stable, conflict hot spots continue to be cause for concern. The fighting in the Sudanese held territories of South Kordofan and Blue Nile has been constant and in some examples, intensified this month. The aerial bombardments have been daily in South Kordofan – reportedly up to 4 times per day. Similar fighting has broken out in Blue Nile. This has resulted in a huge flow of returnees and refugees into South Sudan. There have been sporadic instances of the cross border bombing but there has not yet been evidence of an inter-state war. In addition to the humanitarian crisis at the border areas, the fighting has interrupted trade in that area causing increased fuel and food shortages in the area. UNHCR is preparing for the long term presence of refugees in both Unity State and Upper Nile. The fighting and insecurity about citizenship rights for South Sudanese living in Sudan has also resulted in an increase in the rate of returnees who are arriving in South Sudan.
A new round of disarmament has begun in South Sudan, with the initial focus on Lakes State and Jonglei where several thousand SPLA troops have been deployed. Violence in both of these states has been continual with significant increase of violence in Jonglei, where over 40% of violent conflict related deaths in South Sudan have occurred in 2011.
This year’s unpredictable rainfall which delayed harvests has already caused food shortages and an increase in the price of food. Probably next year 2012, there could be more serious food shortage than it is now.
Disarmament was supposed to start in Lake States communities in the reporting month. In the Greater Mundri area on the 13th of August, the communities and Government authorities agreed for disarmament as well. The Dinka Communities, who have settled in Kotobi Payam Mundri West County and were alleged to have guns, were also to be disarmed. The fear is that if this is not done in all the states, some elements of insecurities are likely to occur because some people could have avenue to hide in other states where disarmament may not be taking place.
II. Management/Programme Intervention
Project Development
Both UNICEF and UNHCR have requested that NP submit proposals to implement emergency protection work in Unity State to address some of the protection issues related to the large scale influx of refugees and returnees coming across the border to escape the ongoing violence in South Kordofan.
NP is receiving repeated enquires about the possibility of working in Jonglei State. Jonglei State is experiencing the highest level of direct violence in South Sudan which is both vertical and horizontal in nature. We gathering research and seeking an opportunity to travel to Jonglei to conduct an initial needs assessment.
Programmes
Project: “Developing Civilian Engagement for the Prevention of Violence in Sudan”
Location: Greater Mundri, Western Equatoria
During this reporting month, the team concentrated on implementing the final phase of the project. It focuses on capacity building of local stakeholders and will be implemented as the training program in Community Protection. The CPT trainings are also a component of the Conflict Early Warning/Early Response (CEWERS) work the team is implementing in partnership with Catholic Relief Services (CRS). In addition to this proactive prevention work, the team in Mundri worked to provide protective presence for the movement of cattle keepers who have been ordered to leave WES and to return to Lakes State and have continued to support the peace process at the WES/Lakes State border.
Highlights
- The Team visited several payams within the Greater Mundri and Lake States introducing the concept of Community Protection Team. Many Civil Society Organizations, community members, traditional leaders and Government Authority were met.
- Nonviolent Peaceforce from Mundri field site was invited among other Civil Society Organizations and NGOs by the Commissioner Office Mundri West County to participate in a community dialogue in Kotobi Payam Mundri West County. This was as a result of the NP Mundri field site team members visit to Karika Boma in Mundri West County in July. Later on the NP team had a meeting with the County Commissioner and South Sudan Rehabilitation and Relief Commission. The County Commissioner thanked NP team. Nonviolent Peace Force in the Greater Mundri continues to experience growing acceptance at different levels, for example from the county government authority, community leaders and members because of its intervention in the community.
- Internal training was held in Conflict Early Warning/Early Response (CEWERS) to ensure that all on the team are sufficiently prepared to support the community Technical Teams. Some staffs of the NP Mundri field site received an induction to Early Warning and Early Response induction prepared by the Catholic Relief Services.
Project: “Protecting Women and Children in Western and Central Equatoria”
Location: Western Equatoria (Nzara, Ibba, Ezo, Mundri West, Mundri East Mvolo) and Central Equatoria (Juba and Terkeka)
The substantive protection work for both UNICEF project teams has increased in August. With high numbers of returnees from Sudan, NP’s teams have been working the focal agency for Family Tracing and Reunification (FTR) of unaccompanied and separated children. Organized returnees are arriving into South Sudan on bus and by barge on the Nile River. UNHCR and UNICEF have requested the NP teams provide protective presence at port as the vulnerable returnees have been subject to violence, particularly the abduction of children and sexual harassment and sexual violence towards women. In addition, NP’s Juba based team has been providing protective presence and security assessments at the Way Station, the short term shelter arrangement for returnees from Sudan arriving into Juba and awaiting transport to their final destination. The focus in Western Equatoria continues to be the protective accompaniment and safe reintegration support for children rescued from the LRA.
Highlights
- In partnership with ICRC, the team Nzara team provided protective accompaniment for 3 children to a village located at the South Sudan and DRC border. Due to complimentary mandates and the success of this accompaniments, NP has been requested to work together more frequently with ICRC and complicated protection cases and has further cross border returns scheduled for the coming month.
- Juba team worked on confidence building with state duty bearers (police) with mother of trafficked 3 year old to file case and provided support follow-up to monitor that the investigation was happening.
- Juba team located the family of 2 children rescued from armed group from Jonglei and provided protective accompaniment for return and follow-up safe reintegration support.
- Nzara team conducted two child protection workshop targeting 41 community duty bearers inclusive of teachers, traditional chiefs