Sudan - ICRC-01: 13-May-98

International Committee of the Red Cross
Sudan
Update No. 1
13 May 98


Situation

Sudan's recent history has been beset by problems; drought, a sharply
declining economy, civil unrest and, for the last 15 years, a civil war.  
What began as an armed uprising in the south against the government in
Khartoum has developed over the years into a complex conflict in which
factions have splintered and alliances shifted regularly.  This fighting
between the government and the opposition and between the factions
themselves has had a devastating effect on the civilian population who
often find themselves fleeing the fighting, their cattle slaughtered,
their homes burned and their crops abandoned.  Tensions between armed
groups and clans are rife throughout the country as a whole.

The ICRC endeavours to limit the effects of the war on civilians by
ensuring that they have access to emergency surgical care, basic health
care, safe water supplies, the means to start anew when they are displaced
and the opportunity to stay in touch with their relatives.


History of ICRC presence

The ICRC has been working in Sudan since 1978 and has maintained a
permanent presence in Khartoum since 1984.  Following a serious incident
in November 1996 involving an ICRC plane and staff, field operations for
expatriate staff were suspended.  Nevertheless, the organization pursued a
number of activities thanks to local field officers and the Sudanese Red
Crescent (SRCS).  During this transitional period, it:

- ran the ICRC surgical hospital in Lokichokio (northern Kenya) which has
a capacity of 560 beds and admits an average of 150 people per month

- supplied life-saving essential drugs to Juba Teaching Hospital

- distributed Red Cross messages through the Red Crescent Society network
of volunteers (some 70,000 messages are exchanged every year)

- enabled SRCS branches to operate in the conflictual areas of southern
Sudan, such as along the eastern border with Eritrea and Ethiopia

- provided medical and non-food assistance to people affected by fighting.  
E.g. to 24,000 displaced people in Kassala near the eastern border with
Eritrea last January.

In January this year, the government formally withdrew the accusations
levelled against the ICRC in 1996 and, in May, confirmation was received
from all parties welcoming the immediate resumption of all ICRC field
activities and providing the necessary security guarantees.  Together,
these measures will allow the ICRC to resume humanitarian aid flights to
conflict-stricken areas and represent the first step towards a full
resumption of ICRC field activities.


Currently...

Once the new flight schedule is approved, ICRC staff will be able to
assess the humanitarian situation first-hand in the regions affected by
ongoing conflict and adverse climatic conditions.  In the meantime, human,
logistical and financial resources are being mobilized in order to launch
the operations as they emerge.

As part of a two-pronged approach, the following activities will also be
underway:

- distribution of health and relief assistance as and where required

- assessment of the general public health situation and existing medical
structures.  Sick and wounded to be evacuated to Lokichokio as and where
appropriate

- assessment and launch of water and sanitation systems.  One of the aims
will be to stave-off potential cholera epidemics, frequent in May and
June.

- visits to people detained in relation with the conflict and an
assessment of detention conditions


Future...

A thorough survey of humanitarian needs will be carried out during the
course of the coming months in the different areas affected by the
conflict.  The ICRC will consequently adapt its plans and budget according
to the needs identified.


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