14 July 2015 - A second round of cholera vaccination kicked off in UNMISS Protection-of-Civilians (PoC) sites in Juba today, led by the World Health Organization and health partners.

According to vaccination teams in different protection sites, they were facing several challenges during the exercise, which will end on Friday.

Gatwich Bidit, a member of the vaccination team in PoC 1 Block D where 53 cases have been reported, the team was having difficulties carrying out effective mobilization.

“We have only one megaphone and we are sharing it with the vaccination team in Block B,” he said. “When it is their turn (to have the megaphone), we are left with nothing and cannot carry out mobilization.”

Wakene Badassa, a vaccination supervisor in PoC 2, said the turn out in the protection site was low for most of the day, making it necessary to keep the vaccination centre open till late.

“Many people in this PoC site are Muslims,” he explained. “They start fasting from morning up to evening so they can only come for vaccinations late in the evening when they break their fast and that is why we close the centre at 9 p.m.”

In PoC 3, vaccinator and team leader Dak Chance said women did not want to be vaccinated.

“Some women of reproductive age do not want to be vaccinated,” he said. “They say it causes them fever and diarrhea. When we tell them that the cholera vaccination does not cause fever, they become aggressive.”

Peter Reath, a vaccination centre team leader in PoC 3, said the majority of people receiving the vaccinations were children and elderly people. In the case of children, it was a challenge when they arrived unaccompanied by an adult.

“Children come alone here to be vaccinated,” he said. “When we ask them how old they are, they don’t know, while some come without their cards and we cannot tell whether the child has come for the first dose or the second dose.”

He added that some mothers do not want their children be to vaccinated. “Some mothers, after seeing their children have been vaccinated, rush to the centre and tell us that if their children die, they shall hold us accountable.”

15 July 2015 - Easing their vital water needs, UNMISS today handed over a mini water-yard facility to residents of Gormoyok Village in Juba, Central Equatoria State.

Speaking during the hand-over ceremony, UNMISS Central Equatoria State Coordinator John Ugolo said the solar-powered facility was implemented using funding from the mission’s Quick Impact Projects.

“We have been looking at what is best for the people of Gormoyok Village,” said Mr. Ugolo. “We came to realize that moyo (water) (was what they urgently needed).”

The project was implemented by Islamic Relief Worldwide, Water Sanitation and Hygiene South Sudan Program and sub-contracted to Relief Line South Sudan.

Karlhik Sathyanarayana, Country Director and Project Contractor of Relief Line Africa, said the facility comprised a submersible water pump and elevated water tank fitted with solar panels to help pump and regulate the water level. Water was then transmitted through undergrounds pipes into taps ready for distribution.

With a full capacity of 5,000 litres, the water tank would pump from 18,000 to 200,000 liters of water daily, Mr. Sathyanarayana added.

Mr. Ugolo urged residents to keep the water facility well maintained so it would serve the community for generations to come.

Joyce Peter, a worker at Gormoyok cemetery, said mourners became very thirsty with no water points in the area. Noting that the new facility was clean, she said it would help relieve the suffering of mourners at the cemetery.

Agnes Alia, a 40 year-old resident of the village, said she had never expected to see a water facility installed in the area. She said that having no water points had been particularly difficult for women.

“We as women faced with a lot of problems. When we went out in search of water, we risked getting raped,” Ms. Alia said. “Today, we have stopped chasing after water-tankers.”

Deputy Chairman of Gormoyok Village John Lasu Simon said the village of 305 households would soon witness a return of many others who had left the area due to lack of water.

Mr. Simon noted that sustaining the project would depend on good use by residents and urged implementing partners to train community youth to care for it.

The project, which began in May and was completed in June, is one of more than five water projects the mission has handed over to local communities in Central Equatoria State since 2013, including more recent ones carried out in Terekeka County.

Climate Prediction Center’s Africa Hazards Outlook July 16 – 22, 2015

• Moisture increases for portions of the Senegal region; dry areas farther east show little improvement.

• Moisture deficits deepen in southeast Sudan, Eritrea and northwest Ethiopia with a continued lack of rainfall.

1) A delayed onset of the rainy season, followed by poorly-distributed rainfall, has led to abnormal dryness across Burkina Faso, the central and northern parts of Ghana, Togo, and Benin, western and southern Niger, and northern Nigeria. The lack of rainfall has delayed planting and has already negatively affected cropping activities over many local areas.

2) A delayed onset and general lack of rainfall has resulted in abnormal dryness across extreme western portions of Ethiopia, western Eritrea, and eastern Sudan. The most impacted states in Sudan are Gadaref, Sinar, and Blue Nile, including important agricultural regions where much planting is being delayed.

Contextual Background

Historical background

• Pugnido is the oldest refugee camp in the Gambella Region of Western Ethiopia, and is hosting both refugees that arrived twenty years ago (since 1993) and those who arrived within recent months (after 15th December 2013). There are also refugees who arrived in 2012 following 2011 tribal conflict in Jonglei Sate of South Sudan. Since 18 Nov, 2014, some 16,183 refugees relocated from different entry points have been received in Pugnido and all of them have been fully registered (level II).

Areas of Origin

• The camp population is primarily comprised of refugees from South Sudan’s Jonglei State (70%) and Upper Nile (28.8%), while 1.2% is from other states in South Sudan.

Cultural Background

• The main ethnic groups are the Nuer (59.7%) and Agnuak (39.1%), others (1.2%)

Contextual Background

Historical background

• At the onset of the emergency in South Sudan (mid-December 2013), refugees arrived at various Ethiopian border entry points (mainly Pagak, Burbiey and Akobo). They were relocated to established camps, such as Tierkidi Camp.

Areas of Origin

• The Tierkidi camp population is primarily comprised of refugees from South Sudan’s Upper Nile and Jonglei States.

Cultural Background

• The refugees in Tierkidi camp are predominantly ethnic Nuer (99%)

Main Occupations

• Primarily farmers and pastoralists.

Contextual Background

Pattern in Population Change

• As the refugee camps in Gambella quickly reached their capacity, Kule Refugee Camp was opened on 17 May 2014 to receive the new arrivals, transiting mainly from Akobo, Pagak and Burbiey entry points.

Areas of Origin

• The population is primarily comprised of refugees originating from South Sudan’s Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

Cultural Background

• The refugees are predominantly ethnic Luo-Nuer.

Main Occupations

• Primarily farmers and pastoralists.

Contextual Background

Historical background

• Jewi Refugee Camp was established on 15 March 2015 and hosting refugee relocated from Leitchuor and Nip Nip camps following the floods that left refugees in both locations homeless. This led to establishment of the camp which offered home for refugees to settle and live in safety and dignity. Leitchuor camp was established in late January in 2014 and received refugees relocated from Ethiopian border entry points of Akobo, Pagak, Burbiey, Pochalla.

Areas of Origin

• The camp population comprises of refugees mainly from South Sudan’s Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei states.

Cultural Background

• The refugees are predominantly ethnic Luo-Nuer with an Anuak minority population.

Main Occupations

• Primarily farmers and pastoralists.

HIGHLIGHTS

• South Sudanese refugees continued to arrive in Ethiopia at a daily average rate of 205 people. They crossed through Pagak, Akobo, Burbiey and Raad entry points and told UNHCR staff that they were fleeing generalized violence and food insecurity in Upper Nile and Jonglei states in particular.

• The total number of new arrivals from South Sudan since 15 December 2013 is now 215,045 individuals, including 211,367 in Gambella and 3,678 in the Benishangul-Gumuz region, near Assosa. This brings the cumulative number of South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia to 278,464, including 63,419 that were in the country before December 2013.

• The much awaited registration of new arrivals commenced in Akobo on 9 July 2015, with UNHCR and ARRA registering 1,546 individuals consisting of 331 families. 214 Unaccompanied and Separated Children (UASCs) have also been identified and registered. Similarly, registration has commenced in Burbiey entry point on 12 July targeting 3,368 refugees. The registration of new arrivals in Pagak remains on hold pending nationality screening to be conducted jointly by ARRA and UNHCR. In the meantime, the more than 7,500 asylum seekers in Pagak, including 3,939 refugees who have undergone level 1 registration, continue to receive humanitarian assistance.

• A Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) technical mission visited the refugee operation during the reporting week. The mission sought to test a methodology to assess current supply/demand of woody biomass for heating and cooking within the camps; collect information on the current uses of bioenergy and examine innovative and appropriate energy conversion technologies for heating and cooking purposes. The objective of the mission also included a ‘techno-economic’ analysis of appropriate technologies for the conversion of woody biomass and for improving access to energy.

• UNHCR donated 16 bicycles to the Refugee Central Committee (RCC) members in Jewi refugee camp. The donation is meant to enable refugee leaders to move easily within the expansive linear camp and help UNHCR and Partners solve some local issues in the camp.

Situation Update

As of 14 July 2015, a total of 985 cholera cases including 36 deaths (CFR 3.65%) have been reported in Juba and Bor Counties in Central Equatoria and Jonglei States respectively. In Juba County, 893 cases including 35 deaths (CFR 3.9%) have been reported from eight Payams and 88 villages (Table 1).

In Bor, 92 cases including one death (CFR 1.09%) have been reported from Malou in Makuach Payam and other areas within the county. The initial cases in Juba were traced back to 18 May 2015 in UN House PoC where the first cholera case was confirmed on 1 June 2015. Most of the cholera cases in Juba have been reported from Gumbo followed by New site, Gudele 2, and Juba 3 PoC (Figure 3).

In Bor, the initial cases were reported from Malou in Makuach Payam. Later, cases were reported from Arek, Block 8, Hai Salam, Achengdii, Langbar and several other areas around the city.

HIGHLIGHTS

■ Solutions for asylum seekers at Juba POC: As part of a strategy for finding long-term solutions for the 507 asylum seekers living at the Protection of Civilian site in Juba, UNHCR, in coordination with South Sudan's Commission for Refugee Affairs (CRA), organized a go-and-see visit to Yambio and Makpandu refugee settlement, Western Equatoria, along with asylum seekers' representatives on 14 July. A proposal is being prepared for those asylum seekers who may opt to relocate to urban Juba and Yambio, including a reinsertion grant.

■ UNHCR returned to Malakal: Three UNHCR staff (1 international and 2 national) returned to Malakal on 15 July, as the situation is reportedly calm in town and within the Protection of Civilian (POC) site. They joined a national staff member who decided to remain at the POC at the time of the relocation on 5 July.

■ No cholera deaths this week: 953 cholera cases including 34 deaths have been reported in Central Equatoria and Jonglei States since the first case was reported on 1 June. No further deaths were reported this week. UNHCR has been working with partners to raise hygiene awareness across the country. No refugee camp is affected at the present time.

■ Refugee ID cards issued: Around 3,000 of the 3,755 individuals in Napere refugee settlement, Ezo County, Western Equatoria State, have been issued with refugee ID cards. The exercise is being conducted with CRA and World Vision International (WVI).

■ New approach to WASH: In Batil refugee camp, Upper Nile State, Medair has initiated a new approach where Health, WASH and Nutrition teams work together through Women Care Groups to enhance good hygiene practices within the community. 4 groups involving 600 women have been established.

■ Road works: Rehabilitation of 30km of the Yida-Pariang road in Unity State is 50 per cent completed.

South Sudan Situation: UNHCR Regional Update 69 (04 – 10 July 2015)

HIGHLIGHTS

• An estimated 2,500 people fled their homes in North Darfur’s Mellit locality following tribal fighting, according to HAC.

• The Ministry of Health and the WHO have initiated AWD/Cholera preparedness activities in Sudan.

• Aid organisations begin implementing measures to improve water, sanitation and hygiene in Kharasana, West Kordofan.

• As of 7 July, the South Sudanese response plan is only 12 per cent funded, according to UNHCR.

• WFP receives €2.5 million from the Government of Germany for Darfur.

Local Solutions to Global Problem

The global development community has established and reinforced key principles for effective aid – ownership, inclusive partnerships and an accountability to results. This Annual Report will demonstrate how War Child takes these guiding principles and implements them at a community level and in the specific context of conflict. War leaves communities fractured and unstable. War Child believes that rebuilding cohesion is key to reducing the risk of a return to violence in the months and years after conflict has ended. This is only possible by including the community at every stage of our work.
Our programs are built by and for the people they benefit. War Child’s role is to support and empower local people to take ownership of their own future. And it is why the ultimate goal is to build a community or partner’s capacity to the point where War Child is no longer necessary for the success of the work.

Long term solutions

To achieve the goal of community empowerment requires a long-term investment in those communities. It involves listening to the children and their families and responding to the needs that they identify. And it requires the involvement of all levels of the community to ensure that they become the drivers of change.
To ensure a real, substantial and positive impact on the life of a child, War Child recognizes the need for programs that target both children directly, and the multiple layers of relationships and influencers in their lives – their families, communities, schools and local authorities. Positive changes or conflict in any one layer will ripple throughout other layers. Providing access to education, justice and skills training, and creating protective environments for young people and parents, significantly contributes to the healing of post-conflict communities, and has a profoundly positive impact in the long term future for children.

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

From day one of its existence as an independent nation, South Sudan grappled with the enduring legacy of years of conflict. Risen from a decades-long struggle for its freedom, the world’s youngest country nevertheless saw a tremendous wave of hope among its people, unleashed by South Sudan’s independence in July 2011.

Yet, less than a thousand days later, South Sudan brutally descended once again into conflict. In late 2013, political jostling for power escalated into armed violence and fighting broke out in Juba, the nation’s capital. Conflict soon spread across the Greater Upper Nile region, in Unity, Upper Nile and Jonglei States. Hundreds of thousands of people were again displaced, and entire communities were gripped by violence. Lives and livelihoods were lost, markets ceased to function and access to essential services all but collapsed. Many humanitarian actors were forced to suspend operations as security deteriorated. At the same time evidence was accumulating that a growing number of people were on the edge of a catastrophic food security and nutrition crisis.

Reaching those most vulnerable became an imperative. It required being creative and finding new ways to deliver, despite the complex environment. The World Food Programme (WFP) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) thus set-up a joint Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM), designed to reach the hardest to reach areas and to re-open humanitarian space, using general food distribution as a way to access large numbers of conflict-affected populations, conduct registrations and allow screening to trigger services in nutrition and other sectors. The WFP-UNICEF RRM targeted, as a priority, areas with particularly alarming food insecurity levels, and delivered an integrated package of life-saving humanitarian relief. This included general food distributions, preventive blanket supplementary feeding, curative nutrition services, together with immunisations for children, help for communities to access safe water, and support for children to access education and critical child protection services. Starting up with core funds, both agencies partnered with more than fifty local and international organisations and gathered support from donors and humanitarian partners operating in South Sudan.

One year on, more than 1.34 million people were reached by WFP general food distribution, including 220,000 children under 5 who received blanket supplementary feeding in areas targeted under the RRM. More than 730,000 people, including over 154,000 children under five, were reached by UNICEF RRM interventions in nutrition, health, water, sanitation and hygiene, education and child protection. The RRM was also an enabler in reaching significant numbers of people previously out of reach. Close to three quarters of all people serviced by WFP’s food distributions were reached via the RRM. In conflict-affected states, one in four children UNICEF vaccinated against measles was reached through the RRM. The mechanism played a key role in accelerating responses, expanding coverage, reestablishing a presence by humanitarian actors, and broadening overall humanitarian space. Though it may be too early to tell, preliminary data suggests that the scale-up in operations—facilitated through the WFP-UNICEF RRM—helped stabilise the food security and nutrition situation in the country, even though it remains fragile.

WFP and UNICEF however faced tremendous obstacles. One third of missions planned were eventually cancelled or delayed because of volatile security and a tough operating environment. Making sure services could continue following the completion of a mission was another challenge. Still, looking forward, WFP and UNICEF are drawing on lessons from the last twelve months. Priorities ahead include better monitoring and follow-up, so results can stick. Keeping a flexible approach, both agencies will also invest in programme quality, so results bring change. And perhaps first and foremost, UNICEF and WFP will work together with partners to continue building capacity on the ground so renewed humanitarian presence is both lasting and meaningful for the most vulnerable.

16 July 2015 - The outlook on the situation in South Sudan was not completely bleak, Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary General (DSRSG) (Political) Moustapha Soumaré said in Juba today.

Speaking at a press conference, Mr. Soumaré said he had repeatedly heard in different meetings at all levels during extensive travels to different states in the country since he arrived four months ago the phrase “we want peace now”.

“It is important for us to use this time now to make this phrase a reality,” said the DSRSG, who decried continuing fighting that had resulted in increased numbers of internally displaced persons (IDPs).

Noting concerns that warring parties were yet to sign a peace agreement, he mentioned some recent positive steps like the return of some former political detainees and continuing efforts by the international community to support peace negotiations.

“The message is how we can move forward, as the President (Salva Kiir) said in his speech during independence celebrations,” he added. “We hope that the next step will come soon.”

Mr. Soumaré stressed that the crisis could only be solved by South Sudanese themselves, although the international community would continue to support them.

“It is clear that the humanitarian situation is still dire,” he said. “The more fighting (there is), the more displacement (there is). For that to stop, the fighting has to stop and there has to be a peace accord.”

The DSRSG explained that UNMISS was not directly involved in negotiations, but would have a role to play in implementing a peace agreement, if one was signed.

Currently, the mission’s mandate was still limited to protecting civilians, monitoring and investigating human rights, creating conditions for delivery of humanitarian assistance and supporting implementation of the Cessation of Hostilities Agreement, he said.

“What is really important to remember is that UNMISS is really engaging the government to ensure that we can implement our mandate effectively,” he said. “Although we have more than 160,000 IDPs, we have to engage the government to create conditions where they feel (more secure) and can voluntarily return to their homes.”

The DSRSG listed some challenges faced in carrying out its work such as restriction of patrols and lack of flight safety assurance sometimes.

“Protection of civilians is not just for those living on UNMISS sites, but also in places outside,” he stressed. “Sometimes, (the ability to do this in those places) is impeded by restrictions.”

Despite the challenges, he said the mission would continue to work with the government whose support was vital for the mission to implement its mandate.

“We might not always have the same views, but we have to sit, discuss, agree and work on the things on which we disagree,” he said. “Political dialogue with the government is key.”

The DSRSG described the revocation of a decision to expel the UNMISS Unity State Coordinator May Cummins from the state as “very encouraging” and an example of a positive outcome of engaging government both at the local and national level”.

Highlights

• Joint efforts score some victories in responding to cholera outbreak in South Sudan

• WFP, governments of Sudan and South Sudan continue cooperation in moving food assistance to South Sudan

• UNMISS hands over court building to Greater Kapoeta

• FAO works side-by-side with community-based animal health workers to improve livestock health

• Bentiu IDP community watch group learn to reduce crime

• Refugees in Maban receive land and seeds

• UNICEF completes its joint 50th rapid response mission with world food programme in South Sudan

WFP’s life-saving mission is to end global hunger. Universal access to food is the starting point for freedom, justice and peace for all.

WFP provides food assistance in emergencies and works together with governments, UN agencies, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), companies and private individuals, to tackle the underlying factors causing hunger, to build self-reliance and improve food security.

In 2014, WFP provided food assistance to more than 80 million people in 82 countries.