OCHA Situation Report No. 37
Sudan: Darfur
23 October 2008


Source:
UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Key overall developments

- Insecurity remains a major obstacle in moving food into Darfur. Two (2) 
commercial trucks carrying WFP food in South Darfur were stopped at 
gunpoint and looted of some commodities. Delivery rates from external hubs 
intoDarfurhavesomewhat improved,butnotat a fast enough pace to 
increasefoodrationsfromthe currentreducedlevels. Beneficiaries currently 
receive 65% of the daily recommended kilo-calories.

Needs and response by sector

Education

North Darfur

- The World Food Programme (WFP) and the State Ministry of Education 
(SMoE) officials jointly held a Food for Education (FFE) management and 
reporting training for school administrators in Mellit town.

- With UNICEF support, the Autash Association for Peace and Development 
completed the construction of 12 permanent classrooms up to roofing level 
in El Serif and Saraf Omra rural schools benefiting over 600 school age 
children 87 % of whom are nomadic children.

- UNICEF released 133 education student kits for grades 1 to 4, 1,614 
textbooks, and 99 recreation kits to Dar El Salaam, El Waha and Kalimando 
basic schools which will benefit 6,650 children.

West Darfur

- Mercy Corps introduced School Health and Environmental Education in 
Darfur (SHEE-D) in three (3) schools in Hassa Hissa IDP Camp.

- The Ministry of Education ? supported by UNICEF ? completed the training 
of 126 teachers on the new life skills curriculum, reaching the total 
targeted 300 teachers. The training took place in Zalingei, Garsila and El 
Geneina towns.

- Parent Teacher Associations (PTAs) ? supported by UNICEF and the SMoE ? 
completed the construction of 36 semi-permanent classrooms benefiting 
2,160 children in Kerink, Wadi Saleh, Azoom, Beida and El Geneina 
localities. A further 25 classrooms for nomadic children have been 
constructed benefiting 1,200 children in Kerink locality, Zalingei, 
Nertiti, Wadi Saleh and Kulbus.

Food Security and Livelihoods

North Darfur

- WFP food distributions are ongoing in accessible areas according to 
plan, with the exception of rural areas normally covered by German Agro 
Action (GAA) due to the partner's suspension of activities in the area.

- WFP is conducting verification exercises of unregistered beneficiaries 
are ongoing in Shangil Tobayi and Shaddad, while it has been completed in 
Kassab IDP Camp. The results of these exercises will provide updated 
information on the number of IDPs registered and assisted in each camp.

South Darfur

- During the week, WFP supplementary feeding was carried out to an 
estimated 1,500 children in Otash, Al Serif and Dereige IDP Camps. In Duma 
and Mershing, approximately 680 beneficiaries received a two-week 
pre-mixed food ration as part of the ongoing supplementary feeding 
programme.

- Under the therapeutic feeding programme, WFP partner CARE, reported 
feeding 360 women and children in feeding centres in Kass and Kubum.

West Darfur

- Mercy Corps livelihoods team in Mukjar completed the harvesting of 
sesame seeds and the production of natural (plant-based) fertilizers and 
hosted 71 visitors ? 31 of whom were women ? to their demonstration farm. 
Mercy Corps has also formed school garden committees at both the boys' 
school and the girl's school in Mukjar.

- WFP general food distributions are ongoing and beneficiaries in 20 food 
distribution points, including four (4) satellite villages in Mornei and 
Um Shalaya refugee camp, have received October food rations.

- WFP conducted an assessment on Mornei Hospital's readiness to implement 
a food for caregivers programme in Mornei therapeutic feeding centre. The 
assessment involved information gathering from CONCERN and HAI on their 
operational experience at the hospital.

Health and Nutrition

North Darfur

- UNICEF supported the release and transportation of two (2) metric tones 
of emergency health supplies to health facilities in Al Hilf and Mao.

- The World Health Organization (WHO) provided masks, gloves, overalls to 
the NGO Tri-angle to carry-out cleaning campaigns in Riyadh IDP Camp. In 
addition, WHO provided 50 vials of microbiological test to detect fecal 
contamination of drinking water to Medair agency as part of support in the 
on going water quality surveillance and monitoring exercises in El Geneina 
and Um Shalaya IDP camps.

- WHO conducted one-day consultative meeting to review the environmental 
health (EH) gap analysis study progress. Participants discussed remaining 
steps to be implemented.

- A second primary health care (PHC) coordination meeting for greater 
Darfur was hosted by the WHO office. The meeting discussed technical and 
organizational issues encountered during the implementation of PHC 
activities at state level and best practice to achieve expected results.

- WHO reported that a supervisory visit has been paid to the two (2) 
existing voluntary counseling and testing centers (VCTs) at El Fasher town 
by a team headed by the Sudan National Aids Program (SNAP) coordinator 
from the Federal Ministry of Health (FMoH). Technical support was given to 
the team in the VCTs.

South Darfur

- This week saw the graduation of 42 midwives from El Daein Midwifery 
School. The midwifery course is supported by UNICEF and the United Nations 
Population Fund (UNFPA).

- WHO distributed secondary health care kit items to ten (10) state and 
rural Hospitals. The kits ? that were provided by UNICEF ? included 
obstetrical kits, drug kits, renewable supplies and equipments.

West Darfur

- The 4th UNICEF supported Expanded Program of Immunization (EPI) 
acceleration campaign for routine immunization was successfully finished 
in 11 localities in West Darfur. In addition EPI vaccinator training in 
Nertiti was conducted for 20 participants from Gildo, Gorni, Golol, 
Nertiti, Golo, Killing and Thur, supported by UNICEF and conducted by 
Ministry of Health Zalingei EPI department.

- WHO conducted a mission to Ardamata IDP Camp on 14th of October to 
investigate 66 cases of suspected whooping cough reported by the Med-Air 
INGO clinic in Ardamata IDP Camp near El Geneina town. Twelve (12) cases 
have been investigated of whom three (3) tested positive for Whooping 
Cough. The patients were sent to El Geneina hospital for treatment.

- WHO provided masks to the NGO Tri-angle to carry-out cleaning campaigns 
in Riyadh IDP Camp. In addition, WHO provided 50 vials of hydrogen sulfide 
(H2S) to the NGO Medair to carry a water quality exercises in El Geneina 
and Um Shalaya IDP Camps.

Non-Food Items (NFIs)

North Darfur

- The Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) supported 320 flood-affected 
households in Saraf Omra in the Kabkabiya area with non-food items from 
the NFI Common Pipeline.

West Darfur

- Mercy Corps distributed 500 kitchen sets from the common pipeline to 
vulnerable households in Hamidiya, Hassa Hissa/Shabab, Khamsa Degaig, and 
Taiba IDP Camps in Zalingei. An assessment of newly vulnerable households 
needing kitchen sets is ongoing, and is anticipated to end on 15 November.

- The NGO Tearfund replenished 1,837 households in Arara, Habila with 
plastic sheeting from the common pipeline.

- The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) replenished 
90 households in Krinding 2 IDP Camp with sanitary material for women from 
the common pipeline.

Protection and Human Rights

North Darfur

- The UN Mine Action Office (UNMAO) is investigating numerous reports of 
scattered unexploded ordnance (UXOs) from recent fighting. UNMAO and its 
partner Mine Tech International, deployed to the Kutum area and conducted 
demolitions of the UXO items found. UNMAO also investigated the report of 
a UXO accident involving a young boy in the area. A recent mission also 
assessed the Tawilla road leading from Zam Zam IDP Camp, after a military 
convoy carrying ammunition was ambushed, scattering munitions over the 
area.

South Darfur

- UNICEF supported the skills training on child protection issues for 15 
NGO staff working in a number of locations with IDPS in South Darfur.

- In El Daein, UNICEF and the SMoH facilitated the refreshment training 
for 21 youth peer educators in HIV/AIDS awareness.

West Darfur

- UNFPA distributed 19 reproductive health kits and 200 vials to NGO 
International medical corps (IMC), the Sudanese Islamic Medical 
association (SIM), and to the NGO Comitat Di Coordinament Delle 
Orgaizzazioni Per Il servizi Voonntario (COSV).

- UNFPA conducted a two-day training workshop in on Inter-Agency Standing 
Committee (IASC) guidelines targeting 27 participants from national and 
international NGOs and UN agencies. The purpose of the workshop was to 
introduce the guidelines for humanitarian workers on the ground so as to 
be used as a tool for gender-based violence (GBV) interventions for 
prevention and response.

Water and Sanitation

North Darfur

- In collaboration with UNICEF, WHO continued to support the SMoH in 
conducting water quality control and monitoring in El Fasher town. The 
team covered 40 privately owned hand dug water wells operated by water 
point attendants and checked for residual chlorine levels in the samples. 
Out of the 40 samples checked, 37 of them indicated free residual chlorine 
levels within the standard range (0.3/mg/l to 0.6 mg/l), while 3 samples 
were below or gave NIL results. This information has been shared with the 
well owners and corrective measures have been implemented. WHO, UNICEF, 
and SMoH teams will continue with surveillance and monitoring exercises.

- In response to the Global Handwashing Day UNICEF, the State Water 
Corporation (SWC), and NGO partners undertook activities in El Fasher town 
and Abu Shouk IDP Camp as well as in rural areas including Um Kaddada and 
Kabkabiya. In Abu Shouk IDP Camp small children's games and drama 
activities were organized by UNICEF partners, Oxfam and Action Contre la 
Faim (ACF) to highlight the importance of washing your hands before 
participating in key household practices. Activities also took place in 
the SMoH Therapeutic Feeding Centre.

South Darfur

In South Darfur, Global Handwashing Day was colourfully celebrated by 
students processing through Nyala town waving banners on the importance of 
hand washing and singing songs that emphasized the key messages. School 
children in five (5) schools in Nyala town participated in handwashing day 
activities supported by UNICEF, the SWC and the Ministries of Health and 
Education. In the activities in the Otash IDP Camp, World Vision assisted 
Girls school included drama and musical activities along with practical 
demonstrations by community representatives.

- A total of 23,241,000 liters of water was produced by UNICEF/SWC 
supported water facilities:

- Al Neem - 4,130,000 liters of water - Khor Omer - 1,260,000 liters of 
water - Al Fardous - 1,953,000 liters of water - Kass - 2,730,000 liters 
of water - Mossai - 90,000 liters of water - Kalma - 1,600,000 liters of 
water - Otash - 4,002,000 liters of water - Geraida - 2,800,000 liters of 
water - Al Salam - 4,676,000 liters of water

West Darfur

- Oxfam conducted a week of public campaigns across Darfur, as part of 
celebrations for Global Handwashing Day. In Um Dukhun (West Darfur), 
around 1,500 children, women and men took part in a handwashing festival, 
with music and drama performances stressing the importance of washing 
hands properly with soap. Prizes were given out to the best young 
performers.

- The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) Sudan implemented a 
European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO) Sustainable Water 
Improvement Project (SWAI) in the areas of Wastani and Geibat that will 
benefit 1,500 individuals. Three (3) ? out of ten (10) ? wells were 
established, and approximately 20 broken hand pumps were rehabilitated.

- ADRA Sudan continues to monitor hand pumps ? previously established 
through ECHO funds ? in the areas of Gelu, Asirnie, and Um Tojouk.

- Mercy Corps repaired six (6) hand pumps and constructed 15 camp latrines 
in Um Dukhun. Mercy Corps WASH team in Um Dukhun also organized a clean-up 
campaign in three (3) communities.

- Mercy Corps hygiene promoters in Mukjar visited 3,002 households for 
behavior trial replacement. They identified 278 risky behaviors of which 
189 were subsequently changed.

- Mercy Corps in Zalingei conducted public hygiene campaigns covering 
acute watery diarrhea, safe water, children's/personal hygiene and latrine 
maintenance in Hassa Hissa, Hamidiya, Taiba and Khamsa Degaig IDP Camps.

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

Nahla Zarroug, Information Analyst, United Nations, Khartoum, Sudan, 
Email: zarroug@un.org, Telephone: +249-9-12160065

For other media and public enquiries, you may also contact:

Orla Clinton, Public Information Officer,
United Nations, Khartoum, Sudan, Email:
clinton@un.org, Telephone: +249-9-12174454

Imad Hassanein, Media Officer, United
Nations, Khartoum, Sudan, Email:
hassaneini@un.org, Telephone:
+249-9-12178035

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