SUDAN: Durable solutions elusive as southern IDPs return and ...

found to be 15.6 percent (compared to 16.6 percent in October 2008). The slight rise in the level
of acute malnutrition could be associated with the arrival of returnees most of whom were
possibly not targeted for food assistance and Blanket Supplementary Feeding Programme
(BSFP). In Yasin, there was a slight decrease; however the GAM still remains beyond the
emergency threshold. The slight decline could be due to the BSFP which was operational from
April to August 2009" (WFP, Monthly Situation Report, February 2010).
The 2010 Work Plan for Sudan notes that "conditions in Darfur remain critical, with some areas
still in acute nutritional crisis. Localised surveys have shown malnutrition rates between 10.6 and
34.5%45 during the 2009 hunger gap, with Northern Darfur and some areas of Southern Darfur
being areas of extreme vulnerability" (UN and partners, 11 December 2009, p.84).
Non-food items and shelter
Impact of the NGO expulsions in March 2009
The Humanitarian Coordinator noted that as a result of the expulsions, "About 692,400 people
who would normally have received shelter materials before the rains begin will not do so unless
the UN Joint Logistics Centre finds partners to carry this out and has access to previous
distribution lists" (Humanitarian Coordinator, 24 March 2009).
On 16 April, OCHA noted that "691,120 people out of 692,400 remain without distribution
coverage as warehouses in El Fasher and El Geneina have not been handed over to UNJLC.
The most vulnerable population including 42,605 (unverified) newly displaced IDPs in Zam Zam
camp in North Darfur, are without non-food items and emergency shelter" (OCHA, 16 April 2009,
p.2).
Water, sanitation and hygiene
Impact of the NGO expulsions in March 2009
The UN Emergency Relief Coordinator summarized the findings of the joint government of Sudan
and UN assessment as follows:
"In the case of water, the assessment showed that the emergency resources currently deployed
by the Government’s water department, UNICEF, and national NGOs to supply more than
800,000 people with drinkable water may become increasingly ineffective within four weeks due
to the loss of critical systems that ensured the consistent provision of mechanics, spare parts,
transport, and fuel. These kinds of networks, specialized knowledge and expertise cannot be
replaced or rebuilt quickly. The Government this week committed themselves to sustain their
effort until the end of the year. This is welcome.
The departure of the NGOs has left a particularly serious gap in sanitation services in some
areas. Without regular maintenance, latrines will overflow, threatening the spread of diseases like
cholera. The rainy season starting in May is likely to make the situation significantly worse. In
Zam Zam, in North Darfur, where nearly 40,000 men, women, and children have arrived in recent
weeks seeking refuge from violence in South Darfur, we need to build new sanitation systems"
(ERC briefing to SC, 26 March 2009).
According to the Humanitarian Policy Group:
"Water, sanitation and healthcare are expected to be of particular concern, with food needs being
covered at least temporarily. All agencies expelled (apart from MSF-F/H) were involved in water
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