SUDAN - USAID ABYEI AND SOUTHERN KORDOFAN ASSESSMENT

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 KHARTOUM 000678 SIPDIS AIDAC SIPDIS STATE FOR AF/SPG, PRM, AND ALSO PASS USAID/W USAID FOR DCHA SUDAN TEAM, AFR/SP NAIROBI FOR SFO NSC FOR PMARCHAM, MMAGAN, AND TSHORTLEY ADDIS ABABA FOR USAU USUN FOR TMALY BRUSSELS FOR PLERNER E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: EAID PREF PGOV PHUM SOCI SU AU SUBJECT: SUDAN - USAID ABYEI AND SOUTHERN KORDOFAN ASSESSMENT KHARTOUM 00000678 001.2 OF 002 -------------- Summary -------------- ¶1. (U) From February 25 to 28, a joint USAID Office of U.S. Foreign Disaster Assistance (USAID/OFDA) and Office of Transition Initiatives (USAID/OTI) assessment team traveled to Abyei and Southern Kordofan State to monitor USAID-funded water interventions, identify potential conflict-mitigation activities, and evaluate regional water needs. According to USAID partners, a more robust non-governmental organization (NGO) presence and strengthened capacity is required to address expanding needs in the region due to the influx of displaced population returns. In addition, the rapidly changing political environment presents significant programming challenges. -------------- Background -------------- ¶2. (U) Between February 25 and 28, a joint USAID assessment team composed of USAID/OTI Three Areas program manager, USAID/OFDA water and sanitation advisor, northern Sudan program officer, and internally displaced person (IDP) specialist traveled to Abyei and Southern Kordofan State. The team met with USAID partners, NGOs, UN agencies, and government representatives to monitor USAID-funded programs and assess current and projected regional water needs in light of the ongoing influx of IDP returns. For Fiscal Year (FY) 2007, USAID/OFDA and USAID/OTI are working together closely to develop appropriate conflict-mitigation interventions in the Three Areas. -------------- -------------- Returning IDP Populations Increase Regional Needs -------------- -------------- ¶3. (U) The ongoing returns process of displaced populations to Abyei and Southern Kordofan is straining existing resources and placing greater assistance demands on NGOs operating in the region. According to the UN Mission in Sudan/Relief Rehabilitation and Reintegration (UNMIS/RRR),an estimated 60,000 IDPs returned to Abyei area between July 2005 and December 2006. Although UN-assisted returns to Abyei have been placed on hold due to the absence of a recognized government authority in the area, an estimated 35,000 spontaneous returnees are expected to return during the current dry season. USAID partners expressed concern that present programming levels are inadequate to meet the existing and projected needs of returning populations. ¶4. (U) Limited returnee tracking and reporting have also hindered efforts to effectively program assistance to meet the needs of the returnees. However, the recent establishment of three returnee tracking points in Agok, Malual leu, and Abyei by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the implementation of a village-based tracking system coordinated through community leaders by South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) are expected to significantly improve available returnee data. -------------- -------------- Political and Security Situation Hinders NGO Operations -------------- -------------- ¶5. (U) Insecurity and the fluid and tenuous political situation in Abyei represent significant challenges to NGO operations. The ongoing absence of consensus on the Abyei border demarcations continues to undermine security and stability in the area. In addition, the absence of an established government presence has created a power vacuum. Parallel initiatives are seeking to develop a practical administrative solution and establish a government presence in the area, including ongoing dialogue between Dinka and Missiriya community members, UNMIS, and the UN Development Program (UNDP)-funded consortium, Abyei Recovery and Rehabilitation Program (ARRP). The establishment of a commissioner's office in Abyei and the appointment of a focal point for the education sector represent tentative signs of progress. However, the increasing movement of people into contested areas, growing shared disillusionment with the Government of National Unity (GNU) by the Dinka and Missiriya ethnic groups, and the GNU prohibition of UNMIS movement outside of UNMIS camps continue to fuel insecurity concerns in the region. -------------- Water and Sanitation -------------- KHARTOUM 00000678 002.2 OF 002 ¶6. (U) USAID staff visited the villages of Rumamer, Majack, and Mabok to monitor USAID-funded water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) interventions and assess current WASH conditions. USAID partners U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) and Save the Children/US (SC/US) are expanding access to clean water through the construction of 107 borehole wells in the region. However, efforts to address poor sanitation conditions resulting from limited latrine infrastructure have encountered obstacles. The region's unstable soil structure requires lining latrine pits with concrete, estimated at USD 500 per family latrine, to prevent collapse. In addition to being expensive, this has led to the latrines being used as household storage facilities instead of their intended purpose. Furthermore, increased numbers of returnee and transit populations are straining limited existing sanitation infrastructure. ¶7. (U) Insecurity and deforestation also contribute to challenges confronting NGO water interventions in the region. Deforestation and Lake Kailak's recession rate are depleting the aquifer and negatively impacting future water availability. Local communities attribute regional environmental degradation to oil and mining company activities, which has resulted in increased tensions. Enhanced communication and coordination between all actors engaged in assistance activities, including Chinese oil companies operating in the region, is needed to avoid gaps and duplication in program coverage. In addition, insecurity attributed to ongoing tensions between the Dinka and Missiriya has reduced the access and number of humanitarian agencies operating in the area. A USAID-funded SC/US water reservoir project has repeatedly been delayed due to concerns over increased ethnic tensions resulting from proposed site locations. POWERS