CERF allocates some $8.1 million for nutritional and agricultural assistance to vulnerable populations in Sudan
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IDP woman in Sudan
[Photo: IRIN]
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30 September 2009: More information coming soon.
[Last Update: 20 October 2009]
CERF allocates some $700,000 for life saving hospital interventions for IDPs and vulnerable host population in Sudan
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Southern Sudanese displaced women and children [Photo: IRIN]
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31 July 2009: To strengthen health facilities to care for 1.1 million IDPs in the Darfur region, John Holmes, the United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator, has allocated some $700,000 in life saving hospital interventions from the United Nations Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF).
All state hospitals are facing a gap in covering the costs of services for the IDPs. Although the FMOH mandates that state hospitals should provide free services for under-fives, emergency care and Caesarean sections, the payments have been irregular and insufficient.
Secondary health facilities in the Darfur Region were adversely affected when 13 international and three national NGOs working in the three Darfur States had their registrations revoked, obliging them to cease operations with immediate effect. Health clinics were subsequently unable to cope with the hugely expanded case load emerging from the influx of large numbers of IDPs.
Despite intense fundraising efforts, the World Health Organization (WHO) was unable to secure immediate support from other donors to fill the gap. Funding from the CERF is therefore viewed as the last resort to sustain the life-saving project activities. WHO estimates that if funding is not secured, around 30% of IDPs will loose access to free services in the three Darfur States.
[Last Update: 7 August 2009]
CERF allocates over $8.3 million for emergency assistance to IDPs in Sudan
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IDPs in Sudan [Photo: IRIN]
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12 May 2009: The decision by the Government of Sudan (GoS) to revoke the licenses of 13 international NGOs and three national NGOs following the issuance of an arrest warrant for President Omar al-Bashir by the International Criminal Court (ICC) on 4 March has significantly affected humanitarian operations in northern Sudan. The resultant loss of expertise left critical gaps that are beyond the capacity of remaining NGOs.
The findings of a joint assessment by UN and Sudanese government officials conducted in all three Darfur States indicate major live-saving gaps in four key sectors assessed: food security and livelihoods (food aid component), health and nutrition, non-food items (NFIs) and emergency shelter, and water and sanitation. While donors have expressed interest in providing assistance to meet funding gaps, CERF was called upon to to respond to immediate and critical requirements.
As such, CERF released some $12 million in emergency funding to five UN agencies working in Darfur to help fund projects to reduce gaps left by the expelled NGOs, thus mitigating human suffering and destabilizing populations.
The World Food Programme (WFP) will use the funding to feed 1.1 million beneficiaries. Over one million people will benefit from United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) emergency health-care, nutritional, safe water and sanitation programmes. United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) will cover reproductive health services to some 400,000 women. International Organization of Migration (IOM) will use CERF funding to assume responsibility for transportation, logistical and operational support for the distribution of non-food items and shelter material assisting nearly 700,000 persons. World Health Organization (WHO)’s meningitis control and vaccination programmes will benefit some 500,000 directly and control the threat of an outbreak providing assistance to meet funding gaps, CERF funding has been highlighted has critical to meet the most pressing requirements.
[Last Update: 12 June 2009]
CERF allocates close to $5 million for emergency assistance to vulnerable populations in Sudan
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Childen in southern Sudan [Photo: IRIN]
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16 April 2008: The joint military operation against the Lord’s Resistance Army (LRA) launched in December 2008 by Ugandan, Southern Sudanese and Congolese forces has created serious and unexpected humanitarian challenges in Southern Sudan. LRA attacks against civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Southern Sudan have created large-scale displacement and suffering among populations along the border between the two countries.
Since December 2008, refugees from the DRC have crossed in increasingly large numbers into Western and Central Equatoria States in Southern Sudan. In addition, tens of thousands of people have been internally displaced and host communities have struggled to receive and support refugees and IDPs. Attacks by small groups of LRA soldiers are expected to continue, destabilising the area for the foreseeable future and creating humanitarian needs which can not be met through existing resources.
Interagency assessments confirm that food security and nutrition have deteriorated dramatically over the past three months. The incidence of communicable diseases has also increased. Emergency needs in food, protection, non-food items, water, primary health care and sanitation have been identified. An estimated 100,000 people require urgent assistance.
The CERF has responded by providing nearly $5 million in emergency funding to cover critical, life-saving gaps in ongoing humanitarian relief efforts caused by the current crisis in the country. Four UN relief agencies - FAO, UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF), and the World Health Organization (WHO) – together with the International Organization for Migration (IOM) have received emergency grants. The multi-sector assistance will improve access to water and sanitation, provide shelter and emergency health services. Families who depend on farming will be provided with agriculture inputs so that they can restart food production activities, feeding themselves and their communities. Children, who are particularly vulnerable to the trauma induced by conflict and displacement, will receive protection services, psycho-social counseling and education to keep them with their families, mitigate the shock of war, and ensure a sense of normalcy.
[Last Update: 12 June 2009]