Sudan: Kosti Wharf Update

UNCLAS KHARTOUM 001060

SIPDIS

AIDAC
SIPDIS

STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W
USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AF/EA, DCHA
NAIROBI FOR USAID/DCHA/OFDA, USAID/REDSO, AND FAS
USMISSION UN ROME
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E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI KAWC SU
SUBJECT: Sudan: Kosti Wharf Update



1. On April 17, 2006, a USAID IDP advisor visited Kosti,
White Nile State, to monitor progress of IDP returns
through the Kosti wharf with USAID implementing-partner
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA). At the
time of the visit, ADRA estimated that the Kosti wharf
was operating at half capacity with roughly 400-450
travelers awaiting transportation by barge to Juba or
Malakal. The River Transport Corporation (RTC) has not
yet published a schedule for barge transport, a factor
which is preventing travelers from IDP camps and squatter
areas in Khartoum from planning onward movement into
Southern Sudan. ADRA is sensitizing returnee populations
on the situation at the wharf through both a
International Organization for Migration (IOM) public
information campaign targeting IDP camps surrounding
Khartoum and by sending delegates to major originating
areas in White Nile State, including Asalaya. The
successful dissemination of information regarding the
situation at Kosti wharf has helped to minimize pressure
on the wharf's limited capacity.


2. RTC finally received 32 barge-pusher engines that
were stalled for several weeks in Port Sudan while
awaiting customs clearance. The German team of
technicians tasked with rehabilitating the pusher engines
has arrived in Kosti and begun working to install the
engines. Additionally, the Dutch government has
partnered with RTC to fund the construction of four new
barges. The RTC is also working to build a barge
assembly plant at a site in Kosti.


3. The IOM-funded ADRA returns monitoring and tracking
system is functioning well. ADRA currently employs 24
enumerators to track IDP returns through 12 way stations,
covering both road and river transport. In March, ADRA
counted 7824 returns, more than double the 3689 people
who transited through Kosti to return south in February.


4. A recent U.N. World Food Program (WFP) survey
revealed that White Nile State is experiencing severe
food insecurity. WFP continues to distribute food
commodities to Kosti's IDP population on a quarterly
basis following the phase-out of ADRA's supplementary
feeding program, which was supported by both USAID's
Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (OFDA) and
Office of Food For Peace (FFP). WFP plans to provide a
general food ration to 41,500 IDPs in Kosti's four IDP
camps from April through July. WFP will also continue to
support local supplementary and therapeutic feeding
programs in the Kosti and Rebek hospitals.

STEINFELD