Juba, 19 March 2018 – The Japanese Ambassador to South Sudan H.E. Seiji Okada and the Executive Director of Nurture South Sudan Kwany Dan Dau launched the project for construction of boreholes and latrines in Juba II, by signing a project grant contract on March 19, 2018. The project is going to benefit a poor population of approximately 22,000 people in Juba II, one of the suburbs of Juba City. This project is one out of many projects which the Government of Japan had offered as a Grassroots Assistance to people of South Sudan.

H. E Ambassador of Japan to South Sudan Mr. Seiji Okada explained that his government support various sectors in South Sudan, ranging from Humanitarian, Capacity Building, and Development assistance. “This project is very important. Once it is completed, it will provide clean water to people of Juba II. Water is a basic need and it is vital to all human being’s life. Government of Japan always remain committed to support grass-root assistance in this country”.

Mr. Kwany Dan Dau, The Executive Director of Nurture South Sudan, made a brief speech on behalf of his organization particularly about the important of the project. He said, “We are very grateful today for the launch of the project funded by Japanese government to provide safe water, appropriate sanitation and hygiene services to the poor communities in Juba II. The support will increase access to safe water for over 22,000 individual children, women and men in Juba II who have been at risk of WASH related diseases infection. Furthermore, the availability of water source within the community will reduce the amount of time and energy that women and girls exerted to collect water from far located stream and wells.”

For further information, please contact:
Kwany Dan Dau: Executive Director, Nurture South Sudan:
Phone : +211 (0) 914853453 ; E-mail: nurture.southsudan@gmail.com
Takanobu Nakahara: Head of Cooperation/ Humanitarian Section, Embassy of Japan in South SudanPhone: +211 (0)959 003152; E-mail: takanobu.nakahara@mofa.go.jp

PEOPLE IN NEED IN 2017: 7.6 M

PEOPLE TARGETED IN 2017: 6.2 M

PEOPLE REACHED BY THE END OF 2017: 5.4 M

In 2017, South Sudan’s conflict was in its fourth year, with civilians continuing to bear the brunt of a crisis marked by displacement, hunger and disease. Nearly 4.3 million people – one in three South Sudanese – have been displaced, including more than 1.8 million who are internally displaced and about 2.5 million who are in neighbouring countries. About 700,000 people left South Sudan in 2017.

Major offensives in Jonglei and Upper Nile forced tens of thousands of people to flee fighting in Wau Shilluk, Tonga, Maiwut and Pagak. In Unity, the crisis was driven by both intensified clashes in Koch and Mayendit and food insecurity, which reached dire conditions. The Equatorias were hardest hit by conflict, with Yei, Lainya, Wonduruba, Kajo-keji, Magwi and Torit counties most affected. Hundreds of thousands of people fled to Uganda, where the population of South Sudanese refugees peaked at over one million in August.

Food insecurity and malnutrition in South Sudan reached record levels in 2017. In February, famine was declared in parts of Unity, meaning some 100,000 people faced starvation. Even though a concerted multi-sector response was able to halt the localized famile in Leer and Mayendit, some 4.9 million people were severely food insecure in South Sudan during that period. Diseases such as cholera, malaria, measles and kala-azar continued to spread in 2017. Cholera was most severe, with over 20,000 cases reported, including 436 related deaths.

Thirty aid workers were killed in 2017, making it the deadliest year for aid workers on record. At least 1,159 humanitarian access incidents were reported, the highest number of incidents in a year, representing a significant increase, compared to 908 in 2016 and 909 in 2015. Active hostilities impacted humanitarian operations, with 612 aid workers relocated in 54 incidents from multiple locations across the country.

Despite these challenges, aid agencies assisted over 5.4 million people in 2017. This included: more than 5.1 million people who received food assistance; over 2.8 million people vaccinated against communicable diseases; 2.8 million people who were helped to access clean water; 930,000 people assisted with vital non-food items; around 950,000 children and pregnant and lactating women treated for acute malnutrition; and 420,000 children facing crisis who were supported with access to education.

The 2017 Humanitarian Response Plan was 73 per cent funded, with US$1.2 billion received. Clusters with the most significant funding gaps included Health, Protection, and Emergency Shelter and Non-food Items.

Preserving the civilian and humanitarian character of sites and settlements is fundamental to the protection of civilians fleeing armed conflict. It is, however, increasingly put at risk today by the presence of, or proximity to, fighters and armed activities. Infringements to the civilian and humanitarian character result in major protection concerns for internally displaced people and refugees hosted in the sites and adversely impact humanitarian actors.

In light of the challenges and the continued need for effective cooperation among humanitarian actors, the ICRC and UNHCR initiated consultations with field staff and other partners to collect operational practices and develop guidance with regard to maintaining the civilian and humanitarian character of sites and settlements in situations of armed conflict.

The Aide Memoire resulted from these consultations and was developed jointly by the ICRC and UNHCR with valuable input from the UN Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). The first part of the Aide-Mémoire sets out the necessary context and principles with regard to the civilian and humanitarian character of sites. It provides a description of the main operational challenges and dilemmas that humanitarian actors confront and examines the content of applicable legal frameworks. The second part offers measures for humanitarian actors to consider – within the remit of their respective mandates and expertise– when working toward maintaining the civilian and humanitarian character of sites. These measures include efforts to engage actors beyond the humanitarian community in the spirit of complementarity and in respect of humanitarian principles, recognizing that an effective interplay with security and political actors is fundamental in achieving protection outcomes.

Key messages

Acute food insecurity global estimates in 2017

• Around 124 million people in 51 countries face Crisis food insecurity or worse (equivalent of IPC/CH Phase 3 or above). They require urgent humanitarian action to save lives, protect livelihoods, and reduce hunger and malnutrition.

• The worst food crises in 2017 were in north-eastern Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen and South Sudan, where nearly 32 million people were food-insecure and in need of urgent assistance. Famine (IPC/CH Phase 5) was declared in two counties of South Sudan in February 2017. Although humanitarian assistance has thus far contributed towards preventing large-scale famines, humanitarian needs remain exceptionally high across the four countries.

• Last year’s Global Report on Food Crises identified 108 million people in Crisis food security or worse across 48 countries.

• A comparison of the 45 countries included in both editions of the Global Report on Food Crises reveals an increase of 11 million people – an 11 percent rise – in the number of food-insecure people needing urgent humanitarian action across the world.

• This rise can largely be attributed to new or intensified and protracted conflict or insecurity in countries such as Yemen, northern Nigeria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Myanmar. Persistent drought has also played a major role, causing consecutive poor harvests in countries already facing high levels of food insecurity in eastern and southern Africa.

• Levels of acute malnutrition in crisis-affected areas remain of concern; there continues to be a double burden of high acute and chronic malnutrition in protracted crises.

• The number of children and women in need of nutritional support increased between 2016 and 2017, mainly in areas affected by conflict or insecurity such as Somalia, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Yemen and northern Nigeria. Some of these countries have also experienced severe outbreaks of cholera, exacerbating levels of acute malnutrition.

Food insecurity and malnutrition: primary drivers in 2017

• Conflict and insecurity continued to be the primary drivers of food insecurity in 18 countries, where almost 74 million food-insecure people remain in need of urgent assistance. Half of these people were in countries affected by conflict or insecurity in Africa, and more than a third were in the Middle East.

• Food-insecure people in need of urgent action in countries affected by conflict or insecurity accounted for 60 percent of the total population facing Crisis food insecurity or worse across the world.

• Climate disasters – mainly drought – were also major triggers of food crises in 23 countries, with over 39 million food-insecure people in need of urgent assistance. Two thirds of these countries were in Africa, where almost 32 million people faced acute food insecurity.

Since it began in December 2013, the conflict in South Sudan has forced over two million people from their homes. For those living in the east of the country, the refugee camps in Ethiopia’s Gambella Region offer the best sanctuary.

“I arrived with my family after eight days of walking. We didn’t have food or animals, so we were forced to sell our clothes to buy milk to survive. We decided to come to Ethiopia where we could have our basic needs met and can get education for our children,” explains 20-year-old Sarah, whose third child received medical treatment at the Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) clinic in the Kule refugee camp. “We can have a life here, but we plan to return to South Sudan as soon as the situation is better.”

Fighting forces refugees to flee

For most, a permanent return home is only wishful thinking after fighting erupted again last year in the east of South Sudan. In 2017 alone, 100,000 people crossed the border looking for respite. Ethiopia now hosts over 435,000 South Sudanese, the largest refugee population in the country.

“Every week hundreds arrive by foot in this region, in desperate need of emergency healthcare. Often, they are severely weakened by the ordeal, with little but the clothes on their backs and horror stories of violence and destruction,” explains Bart Bardok, MSF project coordinator in the Kule and Tierkidi camps. “Malnutrition and dehydration are common. When they arrive, refugees undergo a health assessment by our team or by the health authorities and can be referred to one of our clinics.”

MSF activities for refugees

In 2017, we provided medical care in three of Gambella’s refugee camps. In Kule, with a population of 53,000 people, we run one health centre and three health posts, while in Tierkidi camp we run another three health posts, including a 24/7 maternity service, serving a population of 71,000 people. In Pugnido camp, where 66,000 people had settled, our teams ran one health post, and one extension site, together with a health centre, in Pugnido Town. This was done together with the government authorities.

Pugnido camp did not receive any new arrivals in 2017 and we decided to close our health posts there in early 2018 and move activities to the new Nguenyyiel camp, setting up a health post. As of March 2018, 82,000 refugees live in Nguenyyiel camp but this is expected rise in the coming months.

Across the three camps, we treated 340,000 people in 2017; 30 per cent of these were children under aged five. Malaria was one of the most significant problems with over 72,000 cases treated in the three locations, followed by respiratory infections and diarrhoea.

“Our teams respond to the medical needs of the South Sudanese refugees and the local community, which in Gambella numbers over 300,000,” explains Oliver Schulz, MSF’s country representative in Ethiopia. “We have been running mobile clinics at entry points along the Ethiopian border to provide immediate medical care.”

Boosting surgical capacity

As well as support in the camps, in 2017 we started a partnership with Gambella General Hospital in the regional capital, the only health facility in the region that can perform surgical operations. There are over 800,000 people in its catchment area, including both refugees and local communities. Overall admissions have increased significantly as word has spread of its enhanced services.

“The hospital has seen an increase in admissions to the departments we are supporting. For example, the number of admissions in maternity has almost doubled in only a few months, as the capacity of the hospital has really improved,” says Dr César Pérez Herrero, MSF project medical referent in the hospital.

“Since June 2017, the hospital has helped deliver over 1,900 babies. Having a surgery service on hand has ensured that emergency procedures, like C-sections, can be undertaken quickly and safely,” adds Pérez Herrero.

The emphasis of our surgical work has been on emergency interventions, and the biggest category was violent and non-violent injuries. Over 1,500 surgical cases were performed last year.

Even with our involvement, the surgical department is constantly overwhelmed and needs additional support. With the situation in South Sudan worsening, a new influx of refugees and war-wounded in Ethiopia can be expected at any time.

Our presence in Gambella will continue to be necessary as long as the war rages across the border. We remain committed to improving of the quality of care for patients, who have endured so many challenges.

Contact: Emily Staub, Emily.Staub@CarterCenter.org, (404) 420-5126

ATLANTA — The world’s newest nation, South Sudan, has succeeded in interrupting transmission of Guinea worm disease, the country’s minister of health announced Wednesday at The Carter Center. As of the end of February 2018, South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011, has recorded zero cases of Guinea worm disease for 15 consecutive months. Because the Guinea worm life cycle is about a year, a 15-month absence of cases indicates the interruption of transmission.

“This is a great achievement for our young nation,” Dr. Riek Gai Kok, South Sudan’s health minister, said during the global Guinea Worm Eradication Program’s 22nd annual review at The Carter Center. “Our health workers and thousands of volunteers have done exemplary work eliminating this disease across our country, and I have no doubt that the World Health Organization will grant certification in due time.”

Dr. Tebebe Yemane Berhan, goodwill ambassador for Guinea worm eradication in Ethiopia, participated in the announcement, as did Dr. Gautam Biswas of the WHO. Representing The Carter Center were Dr. Ernesto Ruiz-Tiben and Dr. Donald R. Hopkins, both original architects of the Guinea worm eradication campaign.

The WHO has certified 199 countries, territories, and areas as free of Guinea worm disease. Kenya received WHO certification in February, having detected no cases since 1994. As South Sudan enters the precertification stage, the only countries remaining to be certified are Angola, Chad, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sudan.

Chad and Ethiopia each reported 15 cases in 2017. Those 30 were the only cases in the world in 2017; when The Carter Center began leading the Guinea worm eradication campaign in 1986, there were an estimated 3.5 million cases annually in 21 countries on two continents.

The most recent case in South Sudan was Maralina Buolaa, a 13-year-old girl who lives in Khor Jamus village, Jur River County, Western Bahr al Ghazal state; her worm emerged on November 20, 2016. Meet others affected by Guinea worm disease »

Former U.S. President Jimmy Carter congratulated South Sudan.

“The people and government of South Sudan have achieved a great milestone in the worldwide effort to eradicate Guinea worm disease. Today’s news is the fruit of good faith shown by all parties that agreed to the 1995 cease-fire during Sudan’s terrible civil war, allowing health workers to start a campaign of interventions against this horrible parasitic disease,” said Carter, who negotiated the cease-fire. “South Sudan’s success shows that people can collaborate for the common good. We look forward to certification by the WHO in the next few years that South Sudan has won the battle against this ancient scourge. We are within reach of a world free of Guinea worm disease.” 

Guinea worm in South Sudan

South Sudan reported no cases in the entire 2017 calendar year, only 11 years after starting with 20,582 reported cases in 2006. This success in a country with few resources and a complicated epidemiology ranks high among the program’s major achievements, including elimination in 2008 in what was the world’s most endemic country, Nigeria.

“South Sudan prevailed despite the most complex Guinea worm transmission among humans of any country, peak prevalence during a long rainy season, vast territory, and poor infrastructure, as well as ongoing postwar insecurity,” said Hopkins, the Carter Center’s special advisor for Guinea worm eradication and former vice president for health.

The South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program formally began operations after the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended Sudan’s two-decade-long civil war, but “it got a 10-year head start” from the almost six-month-long “Guinea Worm Cease-Fire” in 1995, said Ruiz-Tiben, director of the Carter Center’s Guinea Worm Eradication Program. Southern Sudan continued to build on this initial success, and cases consequently declined sharply from 118,578 reported in 1996 to 54,890 reported in 2000.

“South Sudan has been buffeted by insecurity of all kinds, and political difficulties, and at times famine since 2006 when the program began,” Ruiz-Tiben noted.

The main factors in its success, Hopkins said, were the exceptionally strong and consistent political support provided to the program by the government of South Sudan, including South Sudanese President Salva Kiir Mayardit and national ministers of health, including Dr. Riek Gai Kok and his predecessors, the inspired leadership of Mr. Makoy Samuel Yibi, the national program’s director, and the dedicated service of more than 18,000 village volunteers.

The WHO is helping to monitor South Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia, Uganda, and other neighboring countries; no Guinea worm cases have been found among the refugee population.  

The South Sudan program held a review in Juba in December 2017. Participants included First Vice President of the Republic of South Sudan Gen. Taban Deng Gai, the minister of health, and numerous other officials. The meeting recommended enhancing South Sudan’s collaboration with Ethiopia’s program to guard against cases along their mutual border.

Further background

Sudan and South Sudan were one country until they formally separated in 2011, so the two nations’ Guinea worm histories are intertwined.

When the Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program was initiated in 1995, civil war impeded access to many Guinea worm-endemic areas, especially communities in the south. The same year, President Carter brokered the “Guinea Worm Cease-Fire,” the longest humanitarian cease-fire in history at the time. Conflict was suspended for almost six months, allowing health workers to distribute medicine and preventative health measures, including cloth water filters, ivermectin for river blindness, childhood immunizations including polio, and vitamin A. During the cease-fire, the Guinea worm program was able to access more than 2,000 Guinea worm-endemic villages and distribute more than 200,000 cloth filters.

In 2001, The Carter Center and its partners, including Health and Development International, Hydro Polymers of Norsk Hydro, Johnson & Johnson, and Norwegian Church Aid, spearheaded the Sudan Pipe Filter Project. In only a few months, the project worked to produce, assemble, and distribute more than 9 million pipe filters, one for each at-risk person in Sudan. These portable, straw-like plastic pipes with filters (cloth at first, then more durable metal) would help ensure that drinking water was free of tiny water fleas (copepods) carrying Guinea worm larvae. Additionally, a targeted health education campaign was launched, including flip charts, radio public service announcements, and community demonstrations. The last indigenous case in the current Republic of Sudan was reported in 2002.

In 2005, the Comprehensive Peace Agreement ended Sudan's civil war, set a timetable for southern Sudan to decide on independence, and brought relative stability to the nation. The South Sudanese national program was able to begin surveillance activities in previously inaccessible areas, and the number of Guinea worm cases reported in this region increased fourfold to 20,582 in 2006.

A pair of visits in 2010 by President Carter solidified South Sudan’s confidence in The Carter Center, Ruiz-Tiben said.

In a January 2011 referendum monitored by The Carter Center (the largest election observation in the Center’s history), the people of southern Sudan voted to secede from Sudan. The newly independent Republic of South Sudan was officially established on July 9, 2011.

In June 2015, the South Sudan Ministry of Health announced that the program had gone seven consecutive months (Nov. 2014-May 2015) without reporting a confirmed case of Guinea worm disease, a remarkable accomplishment for the national program and the village volunteers, health workers, and communities working together toward nationwide elimination. January-December of 2015, South Sudan reported only five cases, a reduction of 94 percent from the previous year, and an overall reduction of more than 99.9 percent since 2006. In 2016, South Sudan reported six cases, all of which were contained to prevent further spread. With zero cases reported in 2017, these numbers represent great success for South Sudan, although continued efforts toward improved peace and stability will be vital to maintaining the levels of surveillance and supervision necessary to ensure certification of elimination.

"The world is much better today for South Sudan having made this achievement,” Ruiz-Tiben said.

REACH awards

Three people involved in the Guinea Worm Eradication Program in South Sudan and Sudan were recognized in 2017 with awards given by the Crown Prince Court of the United Arab Emirates. The Recognizing Excellence Around Champions of Health (REACH) awards recognize individuals who have made outstanding contributions toward reaching the end of infectious diseases.

South Sudanese social mobilizer Mrs. Regina Lotubai Lomare Lochilangole was honored with an Unsung Hero Award for creating an original song and dance to teach her community about Guinea worm symptoms and prevention. The song was so effective that South Sudan’s Ministry of Health created a position for her within its Guinea Worm Eradication Program. Lochilangole now travels to different parts of the country to train other volunteers to become social mobilizers. Lochilangole has personal experience with the disease: At one time, she had at least 10 worms emerging from her body. She says her experience keeps her motivated to work until the disease is officially eliminated from South Sudan.

Another Unsung Hero Award went to Mr. Daniel Madit Kuol Madut, a senior program officer with South Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health. Madut rose through the ranks from village volunteer in 1998 to senior program officer today. Over the past decade, Madut has moved to different parts of the country to help the South Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program respond to outbreaks and enhance surveillance in endemic areas. Madut says his commitment to the eradication effort comes from a personal desire to see his compatriots unite to accomplish something positive.

The REACH Awards also conferred a Courage Award on Dr. Nabil Aziz Awad Alla, who led the Sudan Guinea Worm Eradication Program from 1994 until 2002. During his tenure, he was known to travel across the country to personally search for cases, at times at great personal risk due to the civil war. Dr. Nabil helped convene a national conference in 1995 and invited both Gen. Omar al-Bashir, president of Sudan, and former U.S. President Jimmy Carter. Carter negotiated the historic “Guinea Worm Cease-Fire” that allowed the program to expand into formerly inaccessible areas.

President Carter received a REACH Lifetime Achievement Award for his long-term leadership in the Guinea worm eradication campaign. The Carter Center’s Dr. Adamu Keana Sallau received the REACH Last Mile Award for his work in Nigeria.

About Guinea worm disease

Considered a neglected tropical disease, Guinea worm disease (dracunculiasis) is contracted when people consume water contaminated with tiny crustaceans that carry Guinea worm larvae. The larvae mature and mate inside the patient’s body. The male worm dies. After about a year, a meter-long female worm emerges slowly through a painful blister in the skin. Contact with water stimulates the emerging worm to release its larvae into the water and start the process all over again. Guinea worm disease incapacitates people for weeks or months, reducing individuals’ ability to care for themselves, work, grow food for their families, or attend school.

Without a vaccine or medicine, the ancient parasitic disease is being wiped out mainly through community-based interventions to educate and change behavior, such as teaching people to filter all drinking water and preventing contamination by keeping patients from entering water sources.

Animal infections

While human cases are dwindling, the Center and its partners also are addressing the challenge of Guinea worm infections in animals. In Chad, dog infections were down 19 percent in 2017, and the average number of worms per infected dog also fell. Smaller-scale infections in animals also were being tracked in Mali and Ethiopia. Mali, which has reported zero human cases for the last 27 months, is still considered endemic because of the isolated dog infections. South Sudan, which like other countries offers a hefty cash reward to anyone who reports a suspected animal infection, has had none since a single infected dog was found there in a household with a human Guinea worm case in 2015.

Roles

The Carter Center leads the international Guinea Worm Eradication Program and works in close partnership with national ministries of health, the World Health Organization (WHO), U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), UNICEF, and many other partners. The Carter Center provides technical and financial assistance to national Guinea Worm Eradication Programs to help interrupt transmission of the disease. When transmission is interrupted, the Center provides continued assistance in strengthening surveillance in Guinea worm-free areas for three years and helps prepare nations for official evaluation by the International Commission for the Certification of Dracunculiasis Eradication (ICCDE) and certification by the WHO. CDC provides technical assistance and verifies that worms from these final patients truly are Guinea worms. The presence of Guinea worm disease in an area usually indicates abject poverty, including the lack of safe drinking water; UNICEF mainly assists countries by helping governments provide safe sources of drinking water to priority areas identified by the national programs. The WHO is responsible for certifying countries as Guinea worm-free and is the only organization that can officially certify the elimination or eradication of any disease.

For a disease to be eradicated, every country must be certified, even if transmission has never taken place there.

Partnerships

In 1986, Guinea worm disease afflicted an estimated 3.5 million people a year in 21 countries in Africa and Asia. Today, thanks to the work of strong partnerships, including the countries themselves, the incidence of Guinea worm has been reduced by more than 99.999 percent.

Many generous foundations, corporations, governments, and individuals have made the Carter Center's work to eradicate Guinea worm disease possible, including major support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation; the United Kingdom's Department for International Development (DFID); Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) - United Kingdom; the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation; and The Federal Republic of Germany. Major support from the United Arab Emirates began with Sheikh Zayed Sultan Al Nahyan and has continued under Sheikh Khalifa and HH Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed. The DuPont Corporation and Precision Fabrics Group donated nylon filter cloth early in the campaign; Vestergaard's LifeStraw® donated pipe and household cloth filters in recent years. Abate® larvicide (temephos) has been donated for many years by BASF. Key implementing partners include the ministries of health in endemic countries, The Carter Center, WHO, CDC, and UNICEF.

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"Waging Peace. Fighting Disease. Building Hope."

A not-for-profit, nongovernmental organization, The Carter Center has helped to improve life for people in over 80 countries by resolving conflicts; advancing democracy, human rights, and economic opportunity; preventing diseases; and improving mental health care.  The Carter Center was founded in 1982 by former U.S. President Jimmy Carter and former First Lady Rosalynn Carter, in partnership with Emory University, to advance peace and health worldwide.

Messages clés

Estimations mondiales de l’insécurité alimentaire aiguë en 2017

• Environ 124 millions de personnes vivant dans 51 pays sont en situation d’insécurité alimentaire de Crise ou pire (Phase 3 ou pire de l’IPC ou du CH ou équivalent) et requièrent une action humanitaire urgente afin de sauver des vies, protéger les moyens d’existence et réduire les déficits de consommation alimentaire et la malnutrition aiguë.

• En 2017, les crises les plus sévères ont eu lieu au nord-est du Nigeria, en Somalie, au Yémen et au Soudan du Sud où près de 32 millions de personnes étaient en situation d’insécurité alimentaire et nécessitaient une aide d’urgence. Une situation de Famine (Phase 5 de l’IPC) a été déclarée dans deux comtés du Soudan du Sud en février 2017. Bien que l’aide humanitaire ait contribué à prévenir des situations de famine à grande échelle, les besoins humanitaires restent exceptionnellement élevés dans ces quatre pays.

• Le Rapport mondial sur les crises alimentaires de l’an dernier avait identifié 108 millions de personnes vivant en Crise (Phase 3 ou pire de l’IPC ou du CH) ou équivalent dans 48 pays.

• Une comparaison des 45 pays inclus dans les deux éditions du Rapport mondial sur les crises alimentaires révèle une augmentation de 11 millions – soit une hausse de 11 pour cent - du nombre de personnes en situation d’insécurité alimentaire nécessitant une action humanitaire urgente à travers le monde.

• Cette augmentation peut largement être attribuée à l’émergence ou l’intensification des conflits ou de l’insécurité dans des pays tels que le Yémen, le nord du Nigeria, la République démocratique du Congo, le Soudan du Sud et le Myanmar. En Afrique orientale et australe, la sécheresse persistante a également joué un rôle majeur, entraînant des réductions consécutives des récoltes dans des pays déjà confrontés à des niveaux élevés d’insécurité alimentaire.

• Les niveaux de malnutrition aiguë dans les zones touchées par la crise restent préoccupants ; un double fardeau de malnutrition aiguë et chronique persiste dans les crises prolongées.

• Le nombre d’enfants et de femmes nécessitant un soutien nutritionnel a augmenté par rapport à 2016, principalement dans les zones de conflit telles que la Somalie, le Soudan du Sud, la République démocratique du Congo, le Yémen et le nord du Nigeria. Certains de ces pays ont également connu de graves épidémies de choléra qui ont exacerbé la malnutrition aiguë.

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Mensajes claves

Estimaciones globales sobre la inseguridad alimentaria aguda en 2017

• Alrededor de 124 millones de personas en 51 países se enfrentan a una situación de Crisis de inseguridad alimentaria o peor (equivalente o superior a la fase 3 del IPC/CH) y requieren una acción humanitaria urgente para salvar vidas, proteger los medios de vida y reducir los niveles de hambre y desnutrición aguda.

• Las peores crisis alimentarias de 2017 tuvieron lugar en el noreste de Nigeria, Somalia, Yemen y Sudán del Sur donde cerca de 32 millones de personas fueron afectadas por la inseguridad alimentaria y necesitan una asistencia urgente. En febrero de 2017, la situación de hambruna (fase 5 del IPC/CH) fue declarada en dos provincias de Sudán del Sur. Aunque la asistencia humanitaria ha contribuido hasta ahora a prevenir hambrunas a gran escala, las necesidades humanitarias continúan a ser excepcionalmente elevadas en los cuatro países.

• El Informe global del año pasado sobre crisis alimentarias identificó a 108 millones de personas en situación de Crisis de inseguridad alimentaria o peor en 48 paises.

• Una comparación de los 45 países incluidos en las dos ediciones del informe global sobre crisis alimentarias revela un aumento de 11 millones de personas – un aumento del 11 por ciento – en el número de personas afectadas por la inseguridad alimentaria que necesitan acciones humanitarias urgentes en todo el mundo.

• Este aumento se puede atribuir en gran medida a la aparición o la intensificación y cronificación de conflictos y de situaciones de inseguridad en países como Yemen, el norte de Nigeria, República Democrática del Congo, Sudán del Sur y Myanmar. La sequía persistente también jugó un papel importante, causando cosechas reducidas consecutivas en países de África oriental y meridional que ya conocían altos niveles de inseguridad alimentaria.

• Los niveles de desnutrición aguda en las áreas afectadas por la crisis siguen siendo motivo de preocupación; en las crisis prolongadas los altos niveles de desnutrición aguda y desnutrición crónica siguen constituyendo una doble carga.

• Más niños y mujeres necesitan apoyo nutricional en comparación con 2016 y 2017. Se observó un aumento principalmente en las zonas en conflicto o inseguras como Somalia, Sudán del Sur, República Democrática del Congo, Yemen y el norte de Nigeria. Algunos de estos países también han experimentado brotes severos de cólera, agravando los niveles de desnutrición aguda.

Latest South Sudan food security report projects worsening food crisis in the coming months. With many parts of the country moving closer to a 'catastrophe', a famine situation is likely without an urgent increase in aid. "South Sudan's food crisis levels are shocking," said Rehana Zawar, Norwegian Refugee Council's Country Director in South Sudan. "Alarm bells are ringing as the threat of famine is now more widespread than this time last year. Tens of thousands of families are at risk of starvation."

An estimated 6.3 million people - or half the population - currently face 'crisis', or worse, food security levels. That number will likely increase by another 1 million in the next 3 months, according to the latest projections. This is a significantly higher percentage of the population than was in need of humanitarian aid at same time last year.

Current levels of aid are expected to reach less than 50 per cent of people in need across the country. In addition, restricted access to aid and other food sources will be extremely low, as food stocks run out in many parts of the country while the lean season of May to July approaches.

The main reasons for the worsening situation is the compounded impact of 4 years of fighting, the destruction of food production, cattle being stolen or left behind, farmers afraid to access their lands, and high inflation due to economic crisis. These resulted in two million people that fled their homes within the country, and another two million who fled as refugees.

Since this time last year, violence has spread to more parts of the country. Areas worst affected by the food crisis are also those affected by the armed conflict, including central and southern Unity, northwestern Jonglei, and Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal, according to the Famine Early Warning Systems Network (FEWSNET).

Other areas are seeing massive arrivals of displaced communities, increasing pressure on already limited resources. Despite the challenges, humanitarian agencies continue to save lives by distributing food and other necessities to over 2.5 million people in need across South Sudan each month.

"Our Rapid Response Teams are working overtime to deliver lifesaving aid to devastated areas, but needs are still overwhelming," said Zawar. "We urgently need increased international support and resources for humanitarian aid, as well as free access to bring food and other emergency assistance to hard hit communities. The only way to prevent a widespread famine is to act now, before it's too late.''

Note to editors

• The latest FEWSNET food security report is available here: http://bit.ly/2GIQdtm

• NRC has spokespeople in Nairobi available for interview.

• Free professional photographs of South Sudan areas hit by famine last year are available here: http://smu.gs/2Aoqem5.

For more information, please contact

In Region: Geno Teofilol, geno.teofilo@nrc.no, +254 702 910 077, Nairobi Head of Communications

In Oslo: Michelle Delaney, michelle.delaney@nrc.no, +47 941 65 579, Senior Media Adviser

Global Media hotline: info@nrc.no, +47 905 62329

Water and sanitation is a basic human right for all. Yet, water scarcity affects more than 40 per cent of the global population (UN Report on Clean Water and Sanitation). Unfortunately, in countries like South Sudan, although completely preventable, water and sanitation-related diseases are among the top killers of children under five.

Six-year old, Mary, reaches for the water pump handle well above her head to fill her large jerry can with water. In one effortless motion, she hoists the jerry can onto her head balancing it on her head without her hands.

With the help of the South Sudan Red Cross, Mary and more than 500 community members in her village in Yambio now have access to clean, drinking water. Mary and her neighbours used to fetch dirty water down by a stream a half-hour away from her house and back; now, clean water is at her doorstep.

“The stream was making us sick,” says Victoria Richard, another villager living close by. “In rainy season, the water would get even more dirty and when it was dry, there would be no water at all.”

“Now that we have this borehole, we’re closer to clean water.”

The responsibility of fetching water is traditionally the role of women and children in rural South Sudan who often have to venture far distances by foot at least three times a day.

“Water is a major concern in these communities. We see that more than 90 per cent of the people fetching water are women and girls who must travel long distances,” says Michael Charles, Head of Country Office for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent.

“Red Cross is here through the power of our volunteer network to help bring water closer to the communities to ensure that women and their families are healthier and safe.”

With the support of the Government of Japan, the South Sudan Red Cross is targeting 3.1 million people, including 560,000 children under five, to help prevent common illnesses in rural communities, including malaria, pneumonia and diarrhoea. More than 5,000 people now have access to clean drinking water in through this project with millions more using safer health, sanitation and hygiene practices that keep their families safe and healthy.

Photos and content written by: Corrie Butler

Famine (IPC Phase 5) remains likely in the absence of assistance

KEY MESSAGES

 An estimated 5.3 million people, 48 percent of the population, are currently facing Crisis (IPC Phase 3) or worse acute food insecurity, despite the harvest and continued, large-scale assistance. Compared to past IPC analyses, this is the highest proportion of the population to be in need of emergency humanitarian assistance during the post-harvest period, and the first time no area is classified in Minimal (IPC Phase 1).

 In the most likely scenario, which assumes typical seasonal deterioration and the continuation of humanitarian assistance at planned levels, widespread Crisis (IPC Phase 3) and Emergency (IPC Phase 4) outcomes are still expected. Humanitarian assistance is likely to prevent more extreme outcomes in many areas. However, assistance is expected to meet less than 50 percent of the estimated need, and access to other food sources will be extremely low throughout the lean season. Based on this projection and the severity of acute food insecurity during the 2017 lean season, it is likely some households will be in Catastrophe (IPC Phase 5) during the upcoming lean season even in the presence of assistance.

 In a worst-case scenario of a persistent absence of food assistance over a large area, Famine (IPC Phase 5) would be likely because this absence of assistance would remove a primary food source and would likely drive increased levels of conflict over remaining scarce resources. In turn, higher levels of conflict would increase movement restrictions, preventing households from accessing food from other sources. Given current food security outcomes and past conflict trends, areas of greatest concern include central and southern Unity, northwestern Jonglei, and Wau of Western Bahr el Ghazal. However, given the volatile nature of the current Emergency, and that food security can deteriorate rapidly among populations who face extreme movement restrictions, Famine (IPC Phase 5) remains possible in many areas of the country.

 Given the continued risk of Famine (IPC Phase 5) and projections of extreme levels of acute food insecurity throughout 2018, large-scale humanitarian assistance above levels currently planned is needed urgently to save lives. Further, assistance should be complemented with unhindered humanitarian access and action to end the conflict.

What are the effects of violent extremism among South Sudanese and Somalian refugees in Ethiopia?

15 MAR 2018 / BY AIMÉE-NOËL MBIYOZO

Refugees are increasingly subjected to harsh policies that violate the spirit of refugee laws, and that are often justified by claiming the refugees pose security risks. This study examines the effects of violent extremism among South Sudanese and Somalian refugees in Ethiopia. The risks of violent extremism in both populations are low and refugees play a key role in fighting extremist threats. However, the harsh conditions they are subjected to over long periods pose several humanitarian, development and security concerns. Urgent efforts to improve living conditions for refugees are needed.

About the author

Aimée-Noël Mbiyozo is a senior research consultant at the Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria. She is a migration expert who has worked for five years as a senior migration consultant, researching and implementing responses in high-flow regions, including Africa, the Middle East and Asia. She has a thorough understanding of migration drivers and migrant behaviour at a time of unprecedented movement, particularly in high-risk and fragile environments.

The Government of Japan has allocated a total of US $1,173,000 in support of the International Organization for Migration’s (IOM) operations in Sudan.

The generous contribution of the amount of US$600,000 will go towards supporting the reintegration project in North and South Darfur States, and US $573,000 towards community stabilization as part of the Humanitarian and Development Nexus project in West Kordofan.

Under the reintegration project the funds will enable support to the return and reintegration of internally displace persons (IDPs) and cross border Sudanese returnees from the neighboring countries such as Chad and Central African Republic, to El-Fasher rural area, in North Darfur and Um Dafog locality in South Darfur through improved accesses to basic services, community infrastructures and livelihood activities.

Under the Humanitarian and Development-Nexus project in West Kordofan, the funds will go towards supporting South Sudanese Refugees, IDPs and the host community by enhancing access to basic services whilst restoring the productive capacities of communities and income generation activities. The project aims to bridge the transitional gap between humanitarian and development interventions through a multi-sectorial response including, Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM), WASH, health and livelihoods.

The methodology employed under both projects will support a process of dialogue and foster acceptance amongst the different community members. Additionally, the interventions will address the root causes of conflict, increasing ownership of the action through the direct involvement of the community, and enable an environment for community stabilization and social cohesion.

“I believe that these two projects, which aim at strengthening the resilience of the target communities, will contribute to achieving a peaceful Sudan and will help refugees and IDPs live with dignity, as well as enhance their self-reliance”, said H.E. Mr. Shinji Urabayashi, Ambassador of Japan to Sudan. He also mentioned that the above approach “is totally consistent with the concept of “Humanitarian-Development Nexus”, which the government of Japan strongly supports.”

“We warmly welcome this generous support from the people and Government of Japan. We reiterate the importance of this fund in supporting IOM’s objectives towards longer term, sustainable interventions for the benefit of the local host communities, displaced populations, returnees and refugees by strengthening social cohesion, socio-economic development, resilience and self-reliance,” said Mr. Marcello GOLETTI, OIC Chief of Mission.

Note to Editors:

IOM’s global tool for tracking and monitoring of population movement called as Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) registered a total 178,392 IDPS, 239,203 returnees and 78,500 refugees during 2017.This movement was observed during 2016 – 2017 and it is expected to continue in 2018.

The principal function of the Humanitarian-Development Nexus is to link sustainable development, humanitarian action, conflict prevention and peacebuilding.

Situation update

• Since the last update (of 24 February 2018), eight new suspect human RVF cases have been reported in Yirol East (5 suspect cases) and Yirol West (3 suspect cases). The samples have been obtained and shipped for laboratory testing.

• However, there are currently no suspect human cases on admission in Yirol East.

• During the week, one human sample tested RVF IgG positive. Thus, the cumulative for confirmed human RVF cases now stands at six (one RVF IgM+IgG positive and five IgG positive).

• On 7 March 2018, seven human suspect RVF samples were shipped to Uganda Virus Research Institute (UVRI) in Entebbe for laboratory testing.

• The test results from the 21 animal (Livestock) samples shipped to South Africa were released during the week. Out of the 21 samples tested; eight (8) were RVF positive (3 IgM and 5 IgG); six (6) samples being RVF suspect (based on IgG and IgM serological titres); and seven (7) samples tested RVF negative (based on IgG and IgM serological titres).

In this issue of the UN Migration Agency Regional Office for East and Horn of Africa bulletin, we reflect on our water and sanitation work in the region.

IOM, with support of its partner, has been providing life-saving water and sanitation services to displaced persons, refugees and host communities in the region.

In Uganda, we are ramping up the provision of water, sanitation and hygiene services to refugees and host communities. In response to the estimated 46,000 refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo, IOM is scaling up its humanitarian response, including provision of sanitation and hygiene services.

Thousands of refugees continue to pour into Uganda from the DR Congo’s Ituri Province where ethnic fighting has led to a wave of displacement. Their journey to safety is often perilous. There are reports of at least four refugees drowning after their boat capsized in Lake Albert. This number is a substantial increase compared to the 43,000 who crossed in to Uganda during 2017.

Whilst in Somalia, IOM is providing integrated lifesaving health, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) and Camp Coordination and Camp Management (CCCM) services for vulnerable, drought, displaced populations.

Finally, in South Sudan, recognizing the risks women face having to travel long distance to collect water, IOM is working with local communities repairing boreholes and conducting community-driven hygiene and sanitation promotion.

Moving forward, IOM with the support of its partners will continue to scale up its humanitarian response as well as development initiatives in the East and Horn of Africa.

1. HIGHLIGHTS

• On 18th Feb 2018, the Ministry of Health in Juba received a report from Jonglei state of a suspect foodborne disease outbreak in Bor Town.

• The cluster involved individuals that attended the Chol Riak Building Complex Inaugural ceremony at one of the hotels in Bor Town on 17 Feb 2018.

• The cases presented with fever, vomiting, abdominal pain, and acute watery diarrhoea from 17th to 20th Feb 2018 with 65% of the case presenting on 18th Feb 2018.

• A total of 434 cases including one community death (CFR 0.23%) were reported among individuals that attended the inauguration ceremony in Bor Town. No new cases were reported after 20th Feb 2018. There are no cases admitted in Bor state hospital or any of the private clinics where cases were treated.

• A total of 19 stool and two number of water samples were obtained for laboratory testing.

• A multi-agency response that entailed activation of Jonglei state taskforce, deployment of rapid response teams and surge clinical staff, and case investigation and clinical management kits facilitated rapid containment of the event.

• There are no major response challenges

1. HIGHLIGHTS

• Since the last update of (1 March 2017), 73 new suspect meningitis cases including 13 deaths have been reported from Tont county. All the new cases are from Imurok payam, the most recent locus of transmission.

• Hence as of 5 March 2018, a total of 107 suspect meningitis cases including 28 deaths (26%) have been reported from lyire and Imurok payams, Torit county.

• These findings are consistent with a suspect meningitis outbreak in Torit county.

• The suspect cases have been rising since week 6 and the alert threshold for suspect meningitis was surpassed in week 7.

• There was an exponential rise in cases in week 9, due to transmission in Imurok payam where the attack rate for week 9 was 51.4 cases per 100,000, thus surpassing the meningococcal meningitis outbreak threshold of 10 cases per 100,000.

• Most suspect cases have been reported in individuals aged 30 years who account for 56 (52%) of all suspect cases. and above and most deaths have been reported in cases aged 5-14 years and adults 30 years and above.

• Most deaths 12 (43%) of the deaths have been reported suspect cases aged 30 years and above but the case fatality rate (CFR) IS highest 11/21 (52%) in the 5.14-year age group.

• With the epidemic threshold surpassed in week 9, the decision to vaccinate currently rests on the results from the laboratory testing that is currently underway.

• Rapid response teams and diagnostic and case management kits have been deployed to support ongoing investigation and response activities.

• Insecurity on the roads between Torit and lyire Payam and malfunctionality of the health facilities have constrained access and slowed optimization of response activities.

PETER ARIIK KUOL

The Rumbek Field Office of the United Nations Mission in South Sudan has pledged to renovate a ten- room dormitory for girls at Rumbek National Secondary School. The project includes the construction of two ablutions and a kitchen.

Some beneficiaries of this project expressed optimism, saying the renovation will boost and improve girls’ education in the Western Lakes area.

“The main reason why girls who commute to school do so poorly compared to boarders is that their homes do not provide conducive environments for studying for girls,” said one grateful student, Peter Marial, adding:

“Once a girl returns home from school, she is expected to take care of her younger siblings and help out with household chores. Demands on her time don’t end until well after sundown.”

“Our children are vulnerable in terms of development and inclusion, and this dormitory is a major step to support us to lessen this gap,” said Ms. Mary Nyibol, whose daughter will live in the dorm.

“Our children will develop and flourish like other children. They will not be hampered by the social hurdles standing in their way. Thank you [UNMISS] for this thoughtful initiative.”

One of the students who expects to reside in the new dormitory, Susan Abeny, hopes that the UNMISS-funded quick impact project will give girls a chance to learn more and better.

“Every year we face problems to come to school. Now this dormitory will afford us with so many opportunities and bring us hope to overcome these problems.”

The renovation of the secondary school dormitory gives local girls so much more than a place to lay their heads: it provides a place to build their futures and let their talents bloom.

Mr. Malieny Marek is the head teacher of the school. She thanks the peacekeeping mission and believes that the project will provide opportunities for girls from rural areas in particular.

“The renovation means that more girls, especially girls who live in faraway places, can come and stay in the dormitory,” he stated.

The renovation is one of several quick impact projects supported by the UN Mission across the country. The funds are given to selected communities to support small-scale projects that help consolidate peace through strategic livelihood and other beneficial activities or pieces of much-needed infrastructure.

Tomorrow (23 March), the Security Council is convening a briefing on conflict and hunger, to be chaired by Netherlands Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation Sigrid Kaag. Briefings are expected from the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Mark Lowcock, and the Executive Director of the World Food Programme (WFP), David Beasley, on behalf of the Rome-based agencies (WFP, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), and International Fund for Agricultural Development).

The session follows the Council’s consideration last year of the four conflict-affected countries threatened by famine: northeastern Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Yemen. However, the meeting is meant to look more broadly at a trend in food insecurity linked to conflict. When Secretary-General António Guterres briefed the Council in October 2017, updating members on the risk of famine in the four countries, he noted that of the 815 million people globally suffering from hunger, 60 percent live in countries affected by conflict. Today the EU, the FAO and the WFP released a report on “surging levels” of acute hunger—defined as posing an immediate threat to lives and livelihood—largely attributable to new or intensified conflict. According to a press release, conflict continues to be the main driver of acute food insecurity in 18 countries, and it will likely remain a major driver of food crises in 2018, affecting Afghanistan, Central African Republic (CAR), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Myanmar, northeast Nigeria and the Lake Chad region, South Sudan, Syria and Yemen, as well as Libya and the central Sahel (Mali and Niger).

The convening of this briefing by the Netherlands during its Council presidency follows its organisation with Switzerland of a discussion series in 2017 on the issue. These included a meeting for Council members at the International Peace Institute, then meetings in Rome and in Geneva, leading to a report entitled Conflict and hunger: breaking a vicious cycle that was presented to Lowcock and Beasley last December.

An aim of tomorrow’s briefing is to consider how warring parties’ conduct of hostilities drives food insecurity in many of today’s conflicts by restricting humanitarian access or directly attacking sources of production and infrastructure for delivering food, such as farmland, livestock and roads. War also causes increased food prices, among its effects on economies that impact food security. The meeting seeks to focus attention on the Council’s role in addressing these challenges and reaffirming obligations to comply with international humanitarian law. This includes the prohibition of starvation of civilians as a tactic of war and the responsibility of belligerents to protect civilians in areas under their control. As noted by the concept noted prepared for the session, “It is not a lack of rules but the persistent failure to comply with them and the lack of accountability that aggravate situations of food insecurity caused by conflict”.

Lack of compliance with international humanitarian law in such respects is evident in situations on the Council’s agenda. The Panel of Experts monitoring the Council’s sanctions regime for South Sudan reported in November that the government had been “using food as a weapon of war” to inflict suffering on civilians, and that its deliberate prevention of food assistance has caused “death by starvation”. A January report by the Yemen Panel of Experts similarly described the blockade by the Saudi Arabia-led coalition as “using the threat of starvation as an instrument of war”. The coalition has also targeted infrastructure, such as destroying in 2015 the cranes at Yemen’s largest port, while the Panel has also found Houthi rebels responsible for diverting aid and preventing access. In Syria, Lowcock has highlighted attacks targeting bakeries in Syria, and in his 28 February briefing, warned that assistance across conflict lines and besieged areas has collapsed in recent months, which he predicted would soon lead to more people dying from starvation and disease than from hostilities.

As part of his briefing, Lowcock is likely to highlight the international humanitarian law responsibilities of belligerents. Beasley is likely to speak about operational challenges that the WFP faces in its relief efforts.

The concept paper outlines a number of questions for members to consider in their interventions. These include how the Security Council can ensure compliance with international humanitarian law to break the cycle of hunger and conflict, and how the Council can ensure improved access and prevent starvation as a method of warfare. The Council has in some situations sought to deliver political messages on the need for belligerents to ensure humanitarian access, and sanctions regimes in Yemen and the CAR include obstruction to humanitarian access among the designation criteria.

Members may also consider how the Council can remain informed about conflict situations in which worrying levels of food insecurity arise, as well as the cooperation between humanitarian and development actors to tackle food insecurity in conflict situations more effectively. The Council’s August 2017 presidential statement on the four countries facing famine requested the Secretary-General to provide early warning when a conflict having devastating humanitarian consequences and hindering an effective humanitarian response risks leading to an outbreak of famine. It also stressed the need to enhance longer-term recovery and resilience of conflict-affected countries—a reference to cooperation between humanitarian and development actors.

Suggestions from last December’s Netherlands/Switzerland-sponsored report include that the Council could request that existing Secretariat reporting mechanisms provide information on worrying levels of food insecurity and diminishing access for operational agencies, and that the link between the Rome-based agencies and New York and Geneva could be strengthened. The report highlighted that the children and armed conflict (CAAC) framework specifically recognises the denial of humanitarian access as one of the six grave violations, but unlike the other five violations, it does not trigger listing in the annual CAAC report. At tomorrow’s session, some members may refer to other factors that contribute to food insecurity among conflict-affected countries such as drought, climate change and extreme poverty.

The Netherlands, in cooperation with other members, is expected to initiate discussion on follow-up Council action.