OCHA Situation Report
Southern Sudan
16 July 2007


Source: UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Summary

- Tribal conflicts in Warrap and Lakes States.

- Response to flood affected areas.

- Repatriation of Sudanese refugees to Southern Sudan and Blue Nile 
State, reaches 156,669 individuals

- Supported organised IDP return to Southern Sudan reaches over 43,000 
IDPs.

Focus on stability and security

- On 7 July, a local civilian was killed by neighbouring clan in Meluth, 
Lakes State. Police have been deployed in the area.

- During the week, inter-clan clashes were reported south of Akon in 
Warrap State. One person has been reported killed and an unknown number 
wounded.

Current issues

On 8 July, police and the SPLA closed the Customs Market in Juba in 
order to dismantle some of the shops. The market was re-opened the same 
day. However, due to its close proximity and tension in the area the UN 
radio Miraya FM was closed for the day. The Government plans are to 
relocate the customs market to an area near Jebel Kudjur. The relocation 
plan also extends to the other market in Juba town - Konyokonyo which 
may also be relocated to Gumbo an area just outside Juba.

Population movements and returns

Internally displaced persons (IDPs) (1)

The IDP organized movement continues with the launching of air 
operations from Khartoum to Central and Western Equatoria States. This 
operation has so far assisted 299 individuals from Khartoum to Yambio 
and Tambura (Western Equatoria). The IDPs transited via Juba hosted at 
the Jebel way station before continuing their journey to their final 
destination onboard chartered flights. An additional 1,300 IDPs will 
receive assistance to return from Khartoum to Central and Western 
Equatoria.

451 IDPs safely reached Shambe and Bor (Jonglei State), marking the 
successful conclusion of the first organized barge operation. More barge 
movements to Upper Nile will follow.

Last week, 439 spontaneous IDPs (89 households) were tracked upon 
arrival at the Juba port with most indicating Juba as their final 
destination.

Refugees (2)

This week UNHCR assisted the return of 157 Sudanese refugees to Southern 
Sudan. 62 refugees were brought back from the Kakuma camp in Kenya in an 
organized voluntary program, while 72 refugees from Uganda and 23 
refugees from Ethiopia returned under the assisted voluntary 
self-repatriation program.

The second convoy of voluntary returnees arrived in Nimule County 
(Eastern Equatoria) on 13 July carrying 72 individuals (38 families). 
This brings the total refugee returns to Nimule County to 138. UNHCR 
established its presence in Nimule, Eastern Equatoria State on 21 June 
2007 and on 3 July 2007 the first group of self assisted returnees of 66 
individuals arrived from Kiryandongo and Kyangwali refugee settlements 
in Hoima, Uganda.

Needs and response by sector

Coordination and Common Services

The UN and Partners Work Plan retreat took place from 11 -12 July in 
Khartoum. The main purpose of the retreat was to reach agreement on the 
planning process for the Work Plan and brainstorm and debate on key 
issues for focus in 2008. The retreat was well attended by heads of UN 
agencies, donors, NGO representatives and government. The main outcome 
was broad agreement on the framework for the 2008 Work Plan and the 
opportunity to interact with key stakeholders on possible areas of focus 
in 2008. The meeting noted that 2008 would be a transition year to the 
CCA/UNDAF and therefore participants should ensure that the Work Plan 
serve as a bridge to the UNDAF.

Response is on-going for the 121 households displaced by flooding in 
Wadekona (Manyo County), Upper Nile State. NFIs and supplies for safe 
drinking water have been sent including for the 45 households displaced 
by flooding in Donglei Village (Renk County). Meanwhile, flooding has 
also been reported by the State government in Kodok area, Ulang, Akoka, 
and Dajo, Floods have also been reported in Mayom County, Unity State 
affecting 150 villages in four payams. An inter-agency rapid assessment 
of the area took place 14 July.

Health and Nutrition

35 youth leaders in Lakes State completed an HIV/AIDS awareness training 
supported by UNICEF and organized by the Ministry of Information, 
Culture, Youth and Sport

The reproductive health coordination forum consisting of MoH, UN 
agencies and NGOs, held a one day meeting on 13 July in Juba (Central 
Equatoria). During the meeting, a five year plan was developed. The plan 
aims to ensure that reproductive health commodities are available for 
programming to reduce maternal mortality figures for Southern Sudan.

The NGO CHF International in collaboration with the UNFPA hosted the 
"Health Sector Decision Makers Workshop: Strengthening the Health Care 
Response to Gender Based Violence in Juba, (Central Equatoria) 13 to 14 
July 2007.

Disease outbreak

Measles

A measles outbreak was reported in Cuil payam in Nyirol County (Jonglei 
State).  A team was dispatched on 14 July to conduct a three day 
vaccination campaign. Meanwhile, the MMC campaign has been completed in 
Nassir County and in Ulang County (Upper Nile State). Results from 
Nassir County (Luakpiny) indicate that 32,128 (51%) children from a 
targete population of 62,946 were vaccinated against measles. Results 
for Ulang County are being compiled.

Acute watery diarrhoea/cholera

Cholera outbreak is confirmed in Wau (Western Barh El Ghazal), in two 
payams (Wau South Wau North) of Wau County. WHO Epidemiologist and MoH 
officials have conducted an assessment. Preliminary results from the 
assessment reveal that the source of transmission could be the lack of 
safe water and sanitation in the area. So far 90 cases and 10 deaths are 
reported since the onset of the outbreak from 5 - 15 July. WHO/MoH and 
OCHA (EP&R) have airlifted supplies to Western Barh El Ghazal to support 
the State MoH in containing the outbreak. The Epidemic Preparedness and 
Response task force in Wau have developed an action plan aiming at 
improving the case management, surveillance and social 
mobilization/health education. MSF-France are looking at possibilities 
to open the cholera treatment centre (CTC) in Wau, in the mean time WHO 
Epidemiologist has started training the health workers on case 
management and strengthening surveillance system at primary health care 
facilities level.

Meningitis

The reports on meningitis received in this week, indicate zero "0" 
reporting. However, the reports have not been adequate to declare the 
epidemic over as it was mentioned in the previous weekly bulletin. 
Cumulative total from 1 January to 14 July is 11,959 cases with 674 
deaths. The case fatality rate (CFR) is 5.64%.

Food Security

The FAO led global seeds and tools distribution campaign to returnees 
and host communities has been concluded in all States.  A total of 
113,463 beneficiary families against the targeted 110,413 (103 % 
distribution success) received agricultural inputs including rations of 
15 kilograms of assorted crop seeds and four common hand tools. This 
successful early distribution has allowed farmers this year to engage in 
timely planting. Reports from the field are optimistic with early 
maturing varieties of; sorghum, maize, groundnuts, sesame and beans 
healthy in their vegetative stage. Distribution of other agriculture and 
fisheries inputs will however continue through other FAO projects for 
late planters and riverine communities as fishing activities commence.

NFIs

NFI distribution to spontaneous returnees continues in Northern Bahr el 
Ghazal State. Plastic sheets are especially needed as shelters are being 
destroyed by heavy rains.

Education

In Malakal (Upper Nile State) the intensive English course is on-going 
with 227 teachers in attendance. The training will continue until 
December. So far, UNICEF have supplied 788 student kits, 1,368 exercise 
books and 1,678 teachers' kits for 229 schools and a total of 64267 to 
all County head quarters in Upper Nile.

WASH

In Lakes State UNICEF supported the construction of 15 household 
latrines in Rumbek town, increasing access to safe disposal of human 
excreta to 150 people. UNICEF supported with PVC latrine slabs while the 
supervision of the construction was carried out by the Public Health 
staff. 313 people (126 women, 131 children and 56 men) were reached with 
key hygiene messages in Rumbek Central County in sessions conducted by 
hygiene promoters from the Directorate of Rural Water Development.

If you have inputs for the next edition, or questions and comments on 
this one, please contact:

Mona Duale, Reports Officer, OCHA, Juba, Sudan, Email: duale@un.org, 
Telephone: +4724137816

Melissa Phillips, Coordination and Information Officer, United Nations, 
Juba, Sudan, Email: phillipsm@un.org, Telephone: +249-91-2501652

Notes:

(1) Four types of organized IDP movements are planned for 2007 in 
Southern Sudan: (1) from northern Sudan to Southern Sudan; (2) from 
South Darfur to Northern Bahr el-Ghazal State; (3) from Wau County 
(Western Bahr el-Ghazal State) to Warrap State and possibly to Lakes 
State; and (4) from the Equatoria states to other locations in the 
Equatoria states and to Jonglei State.

(2) Organized repatriation of refugees in 2007 is due to happen mainly 
from five countries: CAR, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Appropriate Donations for International Disaster/Humanitarian Needs
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Center for International              web: www.cidi.org
    Disaster Information          listserv: www.cidi.org/listsub.htm
                                guidelines: www.cidi.org/donate.htm
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -