Congressman Donald Payne
Tenth District - New Jersey
For Immediate Release Contact: Kerry McKenney/Nkechi Mbanu
May 23, 2008 (202) 225-3436
Payne and Capuano Condemn Brutal Attacks in Abyei, Sudan
Over the past two weeks, the people of Abyei, one of the marginalized areas of Sudan, have been under attack by the brutal and criminal elements of the National Congress Party forces. An estimated 106,000 people have been displaced, according to Abyei region officials. Many of the displaced are children -- a number of them separated from their families -- as well as women, and the elderly. Unfortunately, these civilians are hungry and sick, and many of them are likely to die without quick and massive intervention to assist and end the violence.
Abyei town was burned to the ground on May 16, 2008, as witnessed and documented by a delegation consisting of two Americans and several Government of South Sudan officials. The deliberate, brutal, and systematic attacks against innocent civilians in Abyei and the surrounding communities has one principal objective: to permanently displace the civilian population.
The brutal terror campaign is being carried out by Brigade 31, a government force that has been in the Abyei area illegally for months. Sudanese President Omar el Bashir has previously pledged to First Vice President Salva Kiir that he had ordered Brigade 31 to withdraw. Unfortunately, instead of withdrawing, Brigade 31 and other government forces continue their terror campaign against innocent civilians.
At the core of the crisis in Abyei is the continuing obstructionist behavior of the Bashir government in the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA). President Bashir, for example, has not implement the Abyei Boundary Commission (ABC) recommendations three years after the ABC decision. The ABC was mandated to "define and demarcate" the area known as the nine Ngok Dinka Chiefdoms transferred in 1905 to Kordofan in North Sudan.
Following the signing of the CPA, Abyei area was supposed to be administered by an Executive Council. The members of the Executive Council were to be elected by the residents of Abyei and the Chief Administrator appointed by the Presidency. At the end of the Interim Period, the residents of Abyei are to choose between retaining a special administrative status in the north or to be part of South Sudan. The Bashir government has failed to put in place an administration in Abyei and continues to reject the recommendation of the ABC.
As stated in the U.S. position paper given to the Bashir government in Khartoum by Special Envoy Richard Williamson, negotiations to improve bilateral relations "will end if new violence is initiated in or by Sudan." The position paper further states that "bilateral relations will not improve if violence is escalated in Abyei or Chad." The Bush Administration must end normalization talks with the Bashir regime in light of what has taken place in Abyei.
The Bashir government must be forced to implement the Abyei Protocol and all provisions of the CPA. We strongly condemn any move toward normalization of relations until the provisions of the CPA are implemented, peace is restored in Abyei and Darfur, and the outcome of the Southern and Abyei referendums are respected.
###
Is the SPLM/GoSS Talking with Enemy and not Talking with Its Troops?
I want to quote Mr. Lostief Lomude question as saying
" Are we by force going to desert Abei and Bantui because of air space defense that our minister of defense didn’t possess?” End of quote.
Another quote that really touched me today was the crying message by Jok Kuol
and it says:
Very few fighters of Abei youths were unable to confront enemies, the bullets run out from them and they were all killed in North Abei. Whom shall we belame and who told our displaced to come back to unsecured and protected place?
Dear all,
Since the anger and grief did not desert our hearts and still keep coming on daily bases, and with my full respect to SPLM priorities, I would like to ask some of questions that seem to be argent in my views.
If it is true that Oyai and Salva Mathok disarmed SPLA in the war zone, then, what is the good of governance if we cannot keep lives? even the International Community will question that action and will even consider it unappropriate.
Is the SPLM supposed to be talking/dealing with what enemy seems to be insinuating, or should it be talking and dealing with its troops?
On the other hand, Should I relate the celebrations that SPLM is overwhelmingly occupied while death is also overwhelmingly taking our beloved ones as a main reasons that SPLM is not functioning well?
We are being told to stand by, stand here, but, what is really the stance and conditions that SPLM/GoSS is facing?
" Are we by force going to desert Abei and Bantui because of air space defense that our minister of defense didn’t possess?” End of quote.
Another quote that really touched me today was the crying message by Jok Kuol
and it says:
Very few fighters of Abei youths were unable to confront enemies, the bullets run out from them and they were all killed in North Abei. Whom shall we belame and who told our displaced to come back to unsecured and protected place?
Dear all,
Since the anger and grief did not desert our hearts and still keep coming on daily bases, and with my full respect to SPLM priorities, I would like to ask some of questions that seem to be argent in my views.
If it is true that Oyai and Salva Mathok disarmed SPLA in the war zone, then, what is the good of governance if we cannot keep lives? even the International Community will question that action and will even consider it unappropriate.
Is the SPLM supposed to be talking/dealing with what enemy seems to be insinuating, or should it be talking and dealing with its troops?
On the other hand, Should I relate the celebrations that SPLM is overwhelmingly occupied while death is also overwhelmingly taking our beloved ones as a main reasons that SPLM is not functioning well?
We are being told to stand by, stand here, but, what is really the stance and conditions that SPLM/GoSS is facing?
Biography of Late Dominic Diim Deng
Biography of Late Cdr Dominic Diim Deng
The Minister for SPLA Affairs
Lt Gen. Dominic Diim Deng, who perished in a plane crash on May 2nd, 2008, was born on 1/1/1950 at Adol village in Pannyok Payam. Diim went to Pannyok Bush School in 1960. In 1962, he went to Nyarkach Primary School. He completed his primary education at Nyarkach and joined Kuajok Intermediate School in 1964. In 1965, while Diim was in his second year intermediate, the schools were closed.
In 1966, Diim joined Anyanya One. He was sent to Israel for military training in 1969. He graduated from the Israeli Military Academy as Cadet Officer. He was commissioned as First Lt in 1971. In 1972, Addis Ababa Accord was signed and Diim was absorbed in the Sudanese National Army (SNA) as First Lt.
While he was on active duty in the SNA, Diim under went several military courses, Platoon Commander Course, Company Commanders Course, Battalion Commander Course and Staff Commander Course. Diim was most of the time on the top of his batch. As a result Diim has had rapid and regular promotions at different ranks in the SNA. Diim deserted the SNA with a rank of Col. PSC and joined the SPLM/A in 1987.
In SPLM/A, Diim¢s rank was converted to A/Cdr. He had several assignment. His first assignment was Deputy Cdr for Northern Zone (Bahr El Ghazal) which was directed commanded by the present C-in-C First Lt Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit. Two years later, A/Cdr was promoted to Cdr and assigned as zonal Cdr to Central Zone (Bor), where he defeated Saif El Hobuor. Cdr Diim was wounded in this operation and was given permission to go to London for treatment in 1991/1992.
In 1994 Cdr Diim developed gold bladder and was sent to UK for operation. After operation, Cdr Diim, with permission from C-in-C, enrolled in Oxford University and obtained BA in Business Administration in 1998. Cdr Diim was recalled to attend a leadership course in South Africa. In 1999, Cdr Diim was assigned as Cdr of the Northern Zone (Bahr El Ghazal). In 2004 Cdr Diim was appointed as member of National Liberation Council, the highest political organ of the SPLM/A. In 2005, Cdr Diim became commander of Special Reserved Forces (SPLA) and nominated by Twic Community as member of the South Sudan Assembly, a position he served until his death.
Below is the biography of Late Let Gen Dominic Diim Deng. Misiter of SPLA Affairs.
Boldit
In 2005, when CPA was signed all the SPLA ranks were converted to be similar to Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) ranks. So Diim became Lt Gen. In 2006 Lt Gen Diim was sent to South Africa for Leadership course for SPLM/A senior staff. In 2007, Lt Gen Dominic Diim Deng was appointed as Minister for SPLA Affairs best known as minister of defense for South Sudan and also he was elected as the Chairperson for Warrap State¢s Communities. Minister Diim died in a plane crash while on national duty in South Sudan.
Lt Gen Diim was married to Josephine Apieu Jenario Aken, whom he met at Pannyok Bush School where her father Jenario Aken was a teacher. They got married in 1973. Both perished in the same plane that crashed on May 2nd, 2008. Diim and Apieu are survived by Monica Achai (Nyanut) Diim, Kuol Diim, Ngor Diim, Nyibol Diim, Ring Diim and Aluel Diim. Diim has other two children from another unofficial wife; namely Dr Justin Kuol Diim, and Ring Diim.
Late Lt Gen Dominic Diim Deng former Minister of SPLA Affairs was a quite, soft-spoken and integrity, highly respected among his peers, South Sudan intellectuals, communities and SPLA forces as a man of will and long vision.
May the Almighty God let his soul rest in peace! Amen
The Minister for SPLA Affairs
Lt Gen. Dominic Diim Deng, who perished in a plane crash on May 2nd, 2008, was born on 1/1/1950 at Adol village in Pannyok Payam. Diim went to Pannyok Bush School in 1960. In 1962, he went to Nyarkach Primary School. He completed his primary education at Nyarkach and joined Kuajok Intermediate School in 1964. In 1965, while Diim was in his second year intermediate, the schools were closed.
In 1966, Diim joined Anyanya One. He was sent to Israel for military training in 1969. He graduated from the Israeli Military Academy as Cadet Officer. He was commissioned as First Lt in 1971. In 1972, Addis Ababa Accord was signed and Diim was absorbed in the Sudanese National Army (SNA) as First Lt.
While he was on active duty in the SNA, Diim under went several military courses, Platoon Commander Course, Company Commanders Course, Battalion Commander Course and Staff Commander Course. Diim was most of the time on the top of his batch. As a result Diim has had rapid and regular promotions at different ranks in the SNA. Diim deserted the SNA with a rank of Col. PSC and joined the SPLM/A in 1987.
In SPLM/A, Diim¢s rank was converted to A/Cdr. He had several assignment. His first assignment was Deputy Cdr for Northern Zone (Bahr El Ghazal) which was directed commanded by the present C-in-C First Lt Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit. Two years later, A/Cdr was promoted to Cdr and assigned as zonal Cdr to Central Zone (Bor), where he defeated Saif El Hobuor. Cdr Diim was wounded in this operation and was given permission to go to London for treatment in 1991/1992.
In 1994 Cdr Diim developed gold bladder and was sent to UK for operation. After operation, Cdr Diim, with permission from C-in-C, enrolled in Oxford University and obtained BA in Business Administration in 1998. Cdr Diim was recalled to attend a leadership course in South Africa. In 1999, Cdr Diim was assigned as Cdr of the Northern Zone (Bahr El Ghazal). In 2004 Cdr Diim was appointed as member of National Liberation Council, the highest political organ of the SPLM/A. In 2005, Cdr Diim became commander of Special Reserved Forces (SPLA) and nominated by Twic Community as member of the South Sudan Assembly, a position he served until his death.
Below is the biography of Late Let Gen Dominic Diim Deng. Misiter of SPLA Affairs.
Boldit
In 2005, when CPA was signed all the SPLA ranks were converted to be similar to Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) ranks. So Diim became Lt Gen. In 2006 Lt Gen Diim was sent to South Africa for Leadership course for SPLM/A senior staff. In 2007, Lt Gen Dominic Diim Deng was appointed as Minister for SPLA Affairs best known as minister of defense for South Sudan and also he was elected as the Chairperson for Warrap State¢s Communities. Minister Diim died in a plane crash while on national duty in South Sudan.
Lt Gen Diim was married to Josephine Apieu Jenario Aken, whom he met at Pannyok Bush School where her father Jenario Aken was a teacher. They got married in 1973. Both perished in the same plane that crashed on May 2nd, 2008. Diim and Apieu are survived by Monica Achai (Nyanut) Diim, Kuol Diim, Ngor Diim, Nyibol Diim, Ring Diim and Aluel Diim. Diim has other two children from another unofficial wife; namely Dr Justin Kuol Diim, and Ring Diim.
Late Lt Gen Dominic Diim Deng former Minister of SPLA Affairs was a quite, soft-spoken and integrity, highly respected among his peers, South Sudan intellectuals, communities and SPLA forces as a man of will and long vision.
May the Almighty God let his soul rest in peace! Amen
Urgent Appeal to Help Save Lives in Abei
URGENT APPEAL TO HELP SAVE LIVES IN ABYEI
Since Wednesday (May 14) government soldiers and government sponsored militias in Sudan have violently occupied Abyei town and displaced its civilian population. An estimated 120,000 internally displaced people from across Abyei have been moving through the forests for the last two days towards Agok, where we maintain the SudanARC compound. People don't have food or water. Children have been lost in the forest.
In this heart-wrenching crisis, heroes have emerged like Kuol Nyok Kuol, Director of WARDS, our local implementing partner on the SudanARC clean water initiative (supported by CRS and the Hilton Foundation). SudanARC is working tirelessly to stem the crisis and we need your assistance. Your support for food and water can save lives today! Please help us by sending whatever money you can.
We will keep you informed of how much was collected and what it is used for.
Once again, please help save lives in Abyei now.
Thank you.
TeamKush
Three ways to contribute:
1. Send check or money order to
Kush Inc.
708 Highland Ave., NW
Washington DC 20012
2. Online at www.sudanarc.com
3. Bank deposit or wire
Account name: KUSH INC ARC Initiative
Bank: PNC Bank
Account number 5303278598
Routing 054000030
Wire number 031000053
You may send an email confirming your contribution to Belkys Lopez, SudanARC Project Manager, Belkys@kushworld.org. We will ensure the assistance is speedily delivered.
Since Wednesday (May 14) government soldiers and government sponsored militias in Sudan have violently occupied Abyei town and displaced its civilian population. An estimated 120,000 internally displaced people from across Abyei have been moving through the forests for the last two days towards Agok, where we maintain the SudanARC compound. People don't have food or water. Children have been lost in the forest.
In this heart-wrenching crisis, heroes have emerged like Kuol Nyok Kuol, Director of WARDS, our local implementing partner on the SudanARC clean water initiative (supported by CRS and the Hilton Foundation). SudanARC is working tirelessly to stem the crisis and we need your assistance. Your support for food and water can save lives today! Please help us by sending whatever money you can.
We will keep you informed of how much was collected and what it is used for.
Once again, please help save lives in Abyei now.
Thank you.
TeamKush
Three ways to contribute:
1. Send check or money order to
Kush Inc.
708 Highland Ave., NW
Washington DC 20012
2. Online at www.sudanarc.com
3. Bank deposit or wire
Account name: KUSH INC ARC Initiative
Bank: PNC Bank
Account number 5303278598
Routing 054000030
Wire number 031000053
You may send an email confirming your contribution to Belkys Lopez, SudanARC Project Manager, Belkys@kushworld.org. We will ensure the assistance is speedily delivered.
Update on the Humanitarian Situation in the Abyei Area
May 18, 2008
This update on the situation in Abyei is based on a report from the field given to Daniel J. Deng of KUSH by Kuol Nyok of WARDS at 10:00 pm Sudanese time on May 18, 2008 after a coordination meeting with 50+ representatives of UN and other international agencies convened at the SudanARC compound in Agok.
UN response has been rapid. 18 village assembly areas have been designated for IDPs and 5 of these have been chosen as distribution sites because of: 1) road accessibility; 2) schools, because classrooms will be used for food storage; 3) water availability; and 4) security – no threat of being affected by fighting in Abyei. On Tuesday (May 20), the 5 centers will receive food and become operational.
The following organizations are now on the ground and involved in the humanitarian response:
WFP 300 metric tons of food (to cover one month for 50,000 people) arrived now being delivered by trucks to Agok where displaced are concentrated. Mercy Corps is ready to commit more food if needed.
Mercy Corps and Save the Children are handling registration of people into two categories, the displaced and residents of host communities
MSF and WHO are focused on human health and emergency medical
UNICEF and CRS hygiene and water
IOM – nine trucks and large tents
WARDS is the local focal point for the whole response
The Coordination center is at SudanARC compound in Agok. Coordination protocol is that all agencies meet in the SudanARC vocational center each morning and evening (6pm) to report. All staff are registered for coordination and security purposes and movement of each is to be cleared with UN security. There has been a request for Motorola radios within the UN and more land cruisers.
Agok has become overcrowded. The official estimates are that there are 102,500 people displaced from areas north of river Kir, including 35,000 from Abyei town and the rest from villages north and northwest (Dokora, Nong, Todac) of Abyei. Villages to the northeast (Mijok and Dunup) are not displaced, but are insecure and possible military targets. These figures have been given to the UN by the SSRRC and are being used for official planning purposes.
In terms of the military situation, SAF forces have burned down Abyei town with undetermined number of casualties and are now combing areas outside of Abyei. The Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) has consistently chosen not to engage militarily when attacked by the Sudanese armed forces, but rather to maintain defensive positions only; however, they are under pressure to respond to this aggression. We will not be surprised to see that this conflict is not over and the humanitarian questions may deepen. Diligent commitment is needed over the long-term.
May 18, 2008
This update on the situation in Abyei is based on a report from the field given to Daniel J. Deng of KUSH by Kuol Nyok of WARDS at 10:00 pm Sudanese time on May 18, 2008 after a coordination meeting with 50+ representatives of UN and other international agencies convened at the SudanARC compound in Agok.
UN response has been rapid. 18 village assembly areas have been designated for IDPs and 5 of these have been chosen as distribution sites because of: 1) road accessibility; 2) schools, because classrooms will be used for food storage; 3) water availability; and 4) security – no threat of being affected by fighting in Abyei. On Tuesday (May 20), the 5 centers will receive food and become operational.
The following organizations are now on the ground and involved in the humanitarian response:
WFP 300 metric tons of food (to cover one month for 50,000 people) arrived now being delivered by trucks to Agok where displaced are concentrated. Mercy Corps is ready to commit more food if needed.
Mercy Corps and Save the Children are handling registration of people into two categories, the displaced and residents of host communities
MSF and WHO are focused on human health and emergency medical
UNICEF and CRS hygiene and water
IOM – nine trucks and large tents
WARDS is the local focal point for the whole response
The Coordination center is at SudanARC compound in Agok. Coordination protocol is that all agencies meet in the SudanARC vocational center each morning and evening (6pm) to report. All staff are registered for coordination and security purposes and movement of each is to be cleared with UN security. There has been a request for Motorola radios within the UN and more land cruisers.
Agok has become overcrowded. The official estimates are that there are 102,500 people displaced from areas north of river Kir, including 35,000 from Abyei town and the rest from villages north and northwest (Dokora, Nong, Todac) of Abyei. Villages to the northeast (Mijok and Dunup) are not displaced, but are insecure and possible military targets. These figures have been given to the UN by the SSRRC and are being used for official planning purposes.
In terms of the military situation, SAF forces have burned down Abyei town with undetermined number of casualties and are now combing areas outside of Abyei. The Sudan People Liberation Army (SPLA) has consistently chosen not to engage militarily when attacked by the Sudanese armed forces, but rather to maintain defensive positions only; however, they are under pressure to respond to this aggression. We will not be surprised to see that this conflict is not over and the humanitarian questions may deepen. Diligent commitment is needed over the long-term.
SPEAR_Mission_Summary
SPEAR Project – Report Summary
Area of Operations: Abyei, South Kordofan, Sudan (Base: WARD agency in Agok)
Date of Mission: March 21st – April 4th, 2007
Contracting Partner. Daniel Deng, KUSH
Participants: R. Stefan Templeton, Charles O'Connell
Adrian Rösiö, Liz Tschoegl
The full report, which is based on a 10-day mission with special emphasis placed on Water Survey, can be acquired from the KUSH organization.
The SPEAR team (Special Procedures for Emergency Assessment & Response) is a technical survey team that is trained and equipped as a field advisory unit to provide hazard assessment and geo-referenced mapping from the field. The officers who conducted the mission were trained in the sectoral needs of disaster-affected populations.
Man-made Hazards and Security Issues
Clear violations of the CPA incl. restrictions on UNMIS monitors in and around Abyei Town.
The population is widely armed and there have been reports of flare-ups between civilians and the SAF. A return to war is likely if the security provisions in the CPA are not implemented and monitored.
UNAMIS observers are not allowed beyond a 1 km zone around Abyei township and the lightly armed AU peacekeepers and Bolivian observers are restricted to patrolling within the boundaries of Abyei town.
The general local opinion is that UNAMIS has been subverted by a pro-Khartoum agenda by the UN Pakistani security service and the Afghani administrators.
No restrictions are placed on humanitarian agencies. All local areas, with the exception of the oil fields north of Abyei, are accessible by day.
Operational conditions for relief personnel are relatively good, given the high level of acceptance by the local Ngok Dinka population.
An armored tank division from Khartoum poses a threat. The SAF barracks immediately south of Abyei are protected by defensive earthworks, sandbags, trenches and enfiladed machine-gun posts, whereas the SPLA barracks are not, pursuant to CPA agreements. Fighting between SPLM and SAF-associated militias are deemed entirely possible in Abyei.
Recommendations
Attack assessment on SAF forces north of the River Kiir and subsequent effects upon the civilian population.
Preparation of emergency relocation sites south of the River Kiir.
Forward placement of emergency water supply systems such as the OXFAM kit should be made available to NGOs from UNJLC depot in Dubai in collaboration with SRRC.
Natural Hazards
No significant sudden-onset natural hazards present.
The area is prone to flooding. The North-South road has inadequate drainage systems which are comprised of the sporadic placement of zinc pipes beneath the road. The road's placement has taken little heed of the topography and natural water course of the seasonal rain fall, so local flooding will likely occur in certain areas next to the road.
Recommendations
Advance preparedness and mitigation strategies against flooding are required.
Water
Lack of clean water in Abyei is directly causing child deaths and illness from diarrhea and water-borne diseases (guinea worm, malaria, trauchoma, Bilharzia and onchoceriasis) and limits agricultural production.
Access to safe water is severely limited in Abyei, both north and south of the River Kiir.
Water shortages during the dry season has always been a source of conflict but is even more acute now due to the return of large numbers of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).
Construction of the North-South road has decreased water supply from nearby rivers/streams.
Water in rivers and streams is not safe for drinking, nor the hafirs resulted from the building of the road.
Man-made hafir: When questioned, the woman in the photo claimed she was not using the water for drinking, but she would hardly carry 40 liters of water 10 km if it wasn't intended for consumption.
Abyei has three water yards that can supply 12,000 beneficiaries at 20 liters/day.
The North Abyei water yard that supplies the donkey-borne water vendors is contaminated at point of source by E. Coli due largely to hand-to-hand contact at the funnel (an old fire hose).
Access to the UNDP-funded public water point is currently sold to the vendors by an unidentified guard.
The UNDP water yard 9 km North of Abyei has fallen into disrepair and is no longer in service.
Bacteriological testing of 21 boreholes and water yards showed that 14 sites were contaminated by E. coli (faecal pathogens). At 4 sites, levels exceeded 10FC/100ml (far in excess of WHO standards).
2 wells north of Abyei had turbidity values above 5 NTU.
All hand pumps (India Mark II) are equipped with a spout that delivers a stream of water that is too large for the standard UNICEF-issued 20 liter jerry can, resulting in consumers at all water points using discarded, severed water bottles as makeshift funnels. These plastic bottles are passed from hand to hand, contaminating the water. Swab samples taken from the makeshift funnels consistently showed coliform counts that were too high to measure (above 90 CFU/100 ml).
Point of delivery calculations are grossly inaccurate, being based on theoretical output of the hand pumps rather than actual output. It is therefore uncertain whether or not SPHERE standards (15 liters/person per day) are being met.
Conclusions
50% of the well sites transmit waterborne diseases.
Faecal contamination of wells are due to mismanagement of points of delivery (contaminated standing water at the base-plate of the well and sharing of plastic bottles as funnels).
High turbidity values may relate to degraded well head screens and inefficient gravel packs.
There is an enormous gap in actual access to water for the smaller populations situated around Abyei township.
Recommendations
A program of spot welding aluminum funnels to all existing hand pumps would obviate the need for the population to use the ubiquitous unsanitary water bottles, thereby greatly reducing faecal contamination.
An accurate picture of delivery at source is best measured by dividing the number of jerry cans queued up at the water source by the actual time required to fill them (often by children) and comparing to population estimate within 500 meter radius.
The gap in water access must be closed by an aggressive program of well drilling and point of delivery education.
An Abyei Water Commission under the ambit of the SRRC should be established in order to coordinate INGO's and governmental initiatives and to brief local councils about hygiene, sanitation, water programs, and allocated water point sources.
Personnel (indigenous) should be trained in mapping the most critical water sources, monitoring quality, and identifying potential sources of pollution.
A database should be established using information systems compatible with OLS (Operation Lifeline Sudan), containing
forecast on demand for water
assessment of rainfall
geo-referenced water point locations
Regular field visits should be made by UN/INGO specialists who can conduct bacteriological analysis using portable test kits and enter results into the database.
Inter-sectoral liaison should be enhanced and information shared with health and education sectors.
The following should be assessed
Areas with shallow water tables (using maps, aerial photos and existing records)
All known protected sources
Annual groundwater fluctuation from monitoring wells
Areas with elevated water consumption (medical facilities, industrial water supply, etc).
Summary review of the sub-district hydrogeological environment
A towable drill-rig (preferably PAT-drill) must be made available to local NGO groups in order to increase the placement of boreholes (in collaboration with the SRRC).
An investigation should be conducted into the reasons for the closure of existing boreholes, in particular the closed UNDP water yard north of Abyei.
The filter method used by drilling teams should be looked at (high turbidity of many water points due to fine sand and particulate matter).
Surge pumping techniques could be used to redevelop disused boreholes.
Local technicians should be trained and supplied with bacteriological water testing kits in order to monitor water points.
Construction materials and means of transportation should be made available to OLS Southern Sector for the purpose of capping traditional shallow wells and install hand pumps to minimize surface contamination of ground water.
A major effort should be made to rebuild poor quality base plates at hand pump sites to ensure safe disposal of wastewater.
Support should be provided to Southern Sector NGOs for deep drilling projects with an emphasis on low-cost appropriate technology.
Shallow boreholes should be drilled, using hand-drilling equipment where possible.
Sanitation
The general lack of fixed sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices as well as crowded households are the main reasons for the prevalence of water-related diseases such as malaria, trauchoma, Bilharzia and onchoceriasis in the Abyei region.
The wide practice of open and unadministered defecation near sources of water supply is the main retardant to the general state of health. Whereas this practice has been safe for millennia, the increased population density makes the indiscriminate disposal of human waste a health hazard. Latrines are uncommon.
Understanding of basic hygiene, child care and food hygiene is very poor. In the photo (left), children play in the waste water, making clay figurines of the mud.
Recommendations
Building materials: Bricks and concrete are needed for lining latrine walls and building face plates. Resolving the supply and transport of these materials would enable the implementation of a broad-based sanitation program.
Hygiene education: Implementation of a coordinated program emphasizing hygiene practices should focus on capacity building and target local organization via the SRRC (which needs strengthening).
The Abyei school system's hygiene education program should be reinforced and supported by INGO assistance. It should also include general child-care training seeing as younger girls are often assigned child-care duties within the household.
One child we encountered (photo) was so severely dehydrated that the top of his skull could be depressed. The child probably did not survive, all because his mother did not know not to dress her child in a snow-suit that someone had donated.
Supply of Food
The Abyei region has a fragile natural resource base with a low agricultural input / output (>1 ton/HA) Income-generating inputs such as a Gum Arabica collection and export system. A vehicle for this would be social structures such as the Abyei Chamber of Commerce.
The high social cohesion in the Ngok Dinka community has done much to mitigate the pressure on residents, but community-based reintegration activities must be developed to avoid intra-community conflict over food. The lack of livelihood opportunities for returnees is impeding the absorption into the resident community. It is therefore critical that household food security systems be supported and that reception be supplemented with agricultural tools, training and veterinary services.
The main farming systems of the Abyei region are based on opportunistic dry sowing with minimal cultivation. This means that only a fraction of the sowed areas are harvested. As rainfall increases, the bulk of production is normally generated from the southern zones of each state. Sorghum is grown on the heavier clay soils and provides the more reliable output. Millet, grown on the sandier soils in the northern zones of the region, is subject to huge fluctuations depending on rainfall distribution.
Livestock are generally in good condition throughout the country with pasture and water holes (hafirs).
There are several heretofore unknown threats to crop growers specific to the Abyei region:
The parasitic weed striga (Scrophulariaceae family) is a perennial problem for sorghum producers. When infestation reaches a certain threshold, farmers often opt to switch crops, growing millet instead, which is slightly less susceptible to striga. The parastic weed is very difficult to get rid of, its seeds capable of remaining viable in the soil for 20 years.
The parasitic weed broomrape (Orobanche sp) has infested substantial areas of land where faba beans and vegetables are grown. Since this weed is also execptionally difficult weed to eliminate, many farmers opt to not grow beans, thereby depriving people of much-needed protein in their diet.
Flocks of birds also pose a significant threat. A farmer who sows his fields before his neighbors risks losing most of the seed to birds. Farmers therefore often delay sowing until after their neighbors.
Sorghum bug (Agonoscelis pubescens) and sorghum midge (Contarinia sorghicola) have been reported in Nile State. In Gedaref, the pest was satisfactorily held in check through campaigns mounted by SMAARI (State Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Irrigation).
Recommendations
Well-timed local purchases should be made by the Sudan Strategic Reserve Corporation (SRC) for food aid programs so as to prevent domestic food market distortions and ensure locally acceptable varieties of cereals.
Timely assistance is required to support vulnerable farming communities and emergency support to returnees before the start of the May/June cropping season.
A price support system should therefore be set up in order to protect local farmers. Whilst low sorghum prices have favored local consumption, they adversely impact on production. Retail prices of as low as SP 13,000 per 90kg bag is well below the SP 18,000 considered to be the break-even price. Many farmers have therefore scaled down land preparation, thus affecting yields.
A program should be implemented to provide seeds, hand-held agricultural tools and veterinary services such as in the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) program.
Subsidized leasing of mechanized, gas-powered tillers / cultivators owned by local NGOs or a co-operative community program would increase crop yield.
A training program in the use of compost would be valuable seeing as the ground soil is a very dense clay with a low yield.
Provision of Serena sorghum, Katumani maize, oil, seeds, pulse and vegetables.
Provision of tools such as hoes, push hoes (mallodas), machetes, axes and sickles.
Consideration should be given to obtaining technical expertise on the viability of Gum Arabica production.
Early warning systems pertaining to food security monitoring should be strengthened.
A market study should be conducted to determine the extent of commodity flows, market functions and impact of food aid on agricultural production and domestic markets.
A system of co-operative milling locations should be set up and administered by local trading, thereby lowering cost of milling.
The Abyei Chamber of Commerce (composed of Misseriya and Dinka traders who have joined together) should be supported, assisted and incorporated into Food Security and Livelihood planning.
Health
Lack of health services is a particularly big problem in Abyei
The overall nutritional status fluctuates around the emergency level among children below two years of age – SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) is at 5.6 percent, the main cause being inappropriate caring and feeding practices, suggesting a need for education of mothers and caregivers.
Although malnutrition rates fall below emergency threshold levels, the situation should be monitored closely as the problem appears to be of a long-term, chronic nature.
Food aid alone is not sufficient to protect against malnutrition. There are many other factors that need to be addressed in order to ensure an acceptable nutritional status, especially sanitation and hygiene.
Morbidity is lower compared to last year, but still very high.
Consumption of unsafe water is a crucial factor.
There is low coverage rate of vitamin A, which contributes to the mortality rate.
A measles vaccination campaign was recently carried out, targeted the entire community.
Outbreaks of malaria, dengue, meningitis, cholera and tuberculosis have all occurred during 2006-07.
Epidemic preparedness will be an imperative in 2007.
Incidence of TB and HIV/AIDS in Abyei is increasing, although exact data is limited. Since Abyei is one of the favorite transit points for returnees, the population movements following the CPA may have contributed to the increasing transmission rates.
There is a general lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS, which is a large problem.
The Abyei town hospital is currently staffed by local and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) staff, James Maskalyk, an American MD.
Recommendations
Capacity-building for the Ministry of Health, with greater emphasis on epidemiological monitoring.
Early warning systems for disease outbreak must be implemented.
A reporting system should be established by medical INGO points of care and a WHO-assisted monitoring system.
Basic hygiene, child-care, as well as pre-and post-natal health care should be implemented in collaboration with the local organizations and women’s groups.
Emergency first aid training should be given to the SPLM affiliated organizations.
A glaring need is that of an investment in the Abyei town hospital – if MSF were to pull its resources from the hospital, it would no longer be capable of meeting the health needs of Abyei.
There is a great need for collection and collation of health care records in order to obtain an epidemiological overview of the state of medical needs in Abyei.
A program that administers treatment of Bilharzia (a single oral dose of the drug Praziquantel would suffice until vaccine is available). Treatment of water sources that contain the parasite should also be conducted (using niclosamide or copper sulfate).
The boy in the photo, although from a well-to-do family, was dying of Bilharzia. The parasites were slowly eating away at his organs, the larvae already visible and twitching in his eyes. Treatment: $3 USD.
Transport
Since Abyei is located along one of the main north-south transport routes, it is a significant point of return for IDPs and refugees as people move from north Sudan to Bahr el Ghazal and beyond.
The condition of the unpaved roads is very poor and has been damaged by trucking. A maximum speed for a 4x4 cannot exceed 50 km/h.
Recommendations
The concerted international effort to pave the region’s roads must be continued.
A system of communication between the SRRC / HAC and the UNJLC should be set up, with prearranged HF radio frequencies, provision of satellite telephones to key SRRC personell and prepositioned emergency resources.
Infrastructure
The majority of people live in dwellings called tukuls, traditional round housing units that use a simple “mud and stud” construction technique with roofing made of reed thatching. Larger communal constructions of the same type are called wharals. These houses have a limited lifespan and are a health hazard – dust and fungal growth in the roofing material is a constant irritant to the human system and causes very high rates of URTIs (Upper Respiratory Tract Infections).
An open space is usually left for a doorway, and there is evidence of improvisation in door construction. In Abyei Town, the blue Unicef latrine base plate can often be seen used as a door.
Rope is used to tie the roof supports to the sides of the walls, but this is hard to come by.
There is a group of traditional building specialists present who are employed by the community to construct tukuls.
Recommendations
A humanitarian depot, with an emphasis on building materials and tools, should be set up and made available to partner organizations.
The most immediate material need for traditional builders is saws and rope.
A job training program for the traditional builders would do much to improve the durability of local infrastructure.
Material Needs
The need for material non-food items is massive throughout the region.
Recommendations
The high cost of building materials in the Abyei area must be addressed.
Standard of living would be greatly improved if plastic sheeting, piping, household water catchments, storage vessels, brick-making machines, nails, roofing materials, hand tools, gas-powered tillers and garden tractors were made available.
The hospital requires supplies of items ranging from oxygen systems to cots.
A coordinated effort to liaise with the hospital administrators and MSF staff is required in order to clearly determine the hospital’s material needs.
Computer support and digitizing of the hospital intake records should be supported.
Assets on the Ground
The extremely high social cohesion and traditional hierarchy among the Dinka is their primary asset.
The necessary elements for cross-mandate operations are coordinating structures and inter-agency funding arrangements that aim to strengthen the only existant local civil structures:
The Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) headed by Bol, Dau Deng, can chair task forces and muster a broad-based coalition of local organizations.
The Abyei Chamber of Commerce is composed of 55 elected members currently undergoing administrative training.
Recommendations
These two social structures must be strengthened and assisted with training, communications equipment and transport. The Abyei SRRC demonstrates great willingness to receive and implement training in order to further their mandate.
Time Frames
The population’s patience with the lack of an established civil authority has a definite time limit, which can only be accurately gauged by local organizations. Various groups have and will continue to emerge and fill the gaps created by the political impasse.
It is critical to consider weather patterns when designing and scheduling interventions, due to the impassable nature of the unpaved road system in Southern Sudan.
Recommendations
Pre-positioning of emergency resources should effected before the rainy season.
Economy
Limited to small trading in the local markets, primarily by Arab traders stocking foodstuffs transported by truck from the north, some agricultural activity, and artisan gathering of gum arabica.
The majority of the local population is living at sustenance level, with occasional remittances from relatives working in the north and abroad.
Recommendations
Some investment in and strengthening of the Abyei Chamber of Commerce (mediated by the SRRC) would greatly assist the development of economic activities.
Area of Operations: Abyei, South Kordofan, Sudan (Base: WARD agency in Agok)
Date of Mission: March 21st – April 4th, 2007
Contracting Partner. Daniel Deng, KUSH
Participants: R. Stefan Templeton, Charles O'Connell
Adrian Rösiö, Liz Tschoegl
The full report, which is based on a 10-day mission with special emphasis placed on Water Survey, can be acquired from the KUSH organization.
The SPEAR team (Special Procedures for Emergency Assessment & Response) is a technical survey team that is trained and equipped as a field advisory unit to provide hazard assessment and geo-referenced mapping from the field. The officers who conducted the mission were trained in the sectoral needs of disaster-affected populations.
Man-made Hazards and Security Issues
Clear violations of the CPA incl. restrictions on UNMIS monitors in and around Abyei Town.
The population is widely armed and there have been reports of flare-ups between civilians and the SAF. A return to war is likely if the security provisions in the CPA are not implemented and monitored.
UNAMIS observers are not allowed beyond a 1 km zone around Abyei township and the lightly armed AU peacekeepers and Bolivian observers are restricted to patrolling within the boundaries of Abyei town.
The general local opinion is that UNAMIS has been subverted by a pro-Khartoum agenda by the UN Pakistani security service and the Afghani administrators.
No restrictions are placed on humanitarian agencies. All local areas, with the exception of the oil fields north of Abyei, are accessible by day.
Operational conditions for relief personnel are relatively good, given the high level of acceptance by the local Ngok Dinka population.
An armored tank division from Khartoum poses a threat. The SAF barracks immediately south of Abyei are protected by defensive earthworks, sandbags, trenches and enfiladed machine-gun posts, whereas the SPLA barracks are not, pursuant to CPA agreements. Fighting between SPLM and SAF-associated militias are deemed entirely possible in Abyei.
Recommendations
Attack assessment on SAF forces north of the River Kiir and subsequent effects upon the civilian population.
Preparation of emergency relocation sites south of the River Kiir.
Forward placement of emergency water supply systems such as the OXFAM kit should be made available to NGOs from UNJLC depot in Dubai in collaboration with SRRC.
Natural Hazards
No significant sudden-onset natural hazards present.
The area is prone to flooding. The North-South road has inadequate drainage systems which are comprised of the sporadic placement of zinc pipes beneath the road. The road's placement has taken little heed of the topography and natural water course of the seasonal rain fall, so local flooding will likely occur in certain areas next to the road.
Recommendations
Advance preparedness and mitigation strategies against flooding are required.
Water
Lack of clean water in Abyei is directly causing child deaths and illness from diarrhea and water-borne diseases (guinea worm, malaria, trauchoma, Bilharzia and onchoceriasis) and limits agricultural production.
Access to safe water is severely limited in Abyei, both north and south of the River Kiir.
Water shortages during the dry season has always been a source of conflict but is even more acute now due to the return of large numbers of IDPs (Internally Displaced Persons).
Construction of the North-South road has decreased water supply from nearby rivers/streams.
Water in rivers and streams is not safe for drinking, nor the hafirs resulted from the building of the road.
Man-made hafir: When questioned, the woman in the photo claimed she was not using the water for drinking, but she would hardly carry 40 liters of water 10 km if it wasn't intended for consumption.
Abyei has three water yards that can supply 12,000 beneficiaries at 20 liters/day.
The North Abyei water yard that supplies the donkey-borne water vendors is contaminated at point of source by E. Coli due largely to hand-to-hand contact at the funnel (an old fire hose).
Access to the UNDP-funded public water point is currently sold to the vendors by an unidentified guard.
The UNDP water yard 9 km North of Abyei has fallen into disrepair and is no longer in service.
Bacteriological testing of 21 boreholes and water yards showed that 14 sites were contaminated by E. coli (faecal pathogens). At 4 sites, levels exceeded 10FC/100ml (far in excess of WHO standards).
2 wells north of Abyei had turbidity values above 5 NTU.
All hand pumps (India Mark II) are equipped with a spout that delivers a stream of water that is too large for the standard UNICEF-issued 20 liter jerry can, resulting in consumers at all water points using discarded, severed water bottles as makeshift funnels. These plastic bottles are passed from hand to hand, contaminating the water. Swab samples taken from the makeshift funnels consistently showed coliform counts that were too high to measure (above 90 CFU/100 ml).
Point of delivery calculations are grossly inaccurate, being based on theoretical output of the hand pumps rather than actual output. It is therefore uncertain whether or not SPHERE standards (15 liters/person per day) are being met.
Conclusions
50% of the well sites transmit waterborne diseases.
Faecal contamination of wells are due to mismanagement of points of delivery (contaminated standing water at the base-plate of the well and sharing of plastic bottles as funnels).
High turbidity values may relate to degraded well head screens and inefficient gravel packs.
There is an enormous gap in actual access to water for the smaller populations situated around Abyei township.
Recommendations
A program of spot welding aluminum funnels to all existing hand pumps would obviate the need for the population to use the ubiquitous unsanitary water bottles, thereby greatly reducing faecal contamination.
An accurate picture of delivery at source is best measured by dividing the number of jerry cans queued up at the water source by the actual time required to fill them (often by children) and comparing to population estimate within 500 meter radius.
The gap in water access must be closed by an aggressive program of well drilling and point of delivery education.
An Abyei Water Commission under the ambit of the SRRC should be established in order to coordinate INGO's and governmental initiatives and to brief local councils about hygiene, sanitation, water programs, and allocated water point sources.
Personnel (indigenous) should be trained in mapping the most critical water sources, monitoring quality, and identifying potential sources of pollution.
A database should be established using information systems compatible with OLS (Operation Lifeline Sudan), containing
forecast on demand for water
assessment of rainfall
geo-referenced water point locations
Regular field visits should be made by UN/INGO specialists who can conduct bacteriological analysis using portable test kits and enter results into the database.
Inter-sectoral liaison should be enhanced and information shared with health and education sectors.
The following should be assessed
Areas with shallow water tables (using maps, aerial photos and existing records)
All known protected sources
Annual groundwater fluctuation from monitoring wells
Areas with elevated water consumption (medical facilities, industrial water supply, etc).
Summary review of the sub-district hydrogeological environment
A towable drill-rig (preferably PAT-drill) must be made available to local NGO groups in order to increase the placement of boreholes (in collaboration with the SRRC).
An investigation should be conducted into the reasons for the closure of existing boreholes, in particular the closed UNDP water yard north of Abyei.
The filter method used by drilling teams should be looked at (high turbidity of many water points due to fine sand and particulate matter).
Surge pumping techniques could be used to redevelop disused boreholes.
Local technicians should be trained and supplied with bacteriological water testing kits in order to monitor water points.
Construction materials and means of transportation should be made available to OLS Southern Sector for the purpose of capping traditional shallow wells and install hand pumps to minimize surface contamination of ground water.
A major effort should be made to rebuild poor quality base plates at hand pump sites to ensure safe disposal of wastewater.
Support should be provided to Southern Sector NGOs for deep drilling projects with an emphasis on low-cost appropriate technology.
Shallow boreholes should be drilled, using hand-drilling equipment where possible.
Sanitation
The general lack of fixed sanitation facilities and poor hygiene practices as well as crowded households are the main reasons for the prevalence of water-related diseases such as malaria, trauchoma, Bilharzia and onchoceriasis in the Abyei region.
The wide practice of open and unadministered defecation near sources of water supply is the main retardant to the general state of health. Whereas this practice has been safe for millennia, the increased population density makes the indiscriminate disposal of human waste a health hazard. Latrines are uncommon.
Understanding of basic hygiene, child care and food hygiene is very poor. In the photo (left), children play in the waste water, making clay figurines of the mud.
Recommendations
Building materials: Bricks and concrete are needed for lining latrine walls and building face plates. Resolving the supply and transport of these materials would enable the implementation of a broad-based sanitation program.
Hygiene education: Implementation of a coordinated program emphasizing hygiene practices should focus on capacity building and target local organization via the SRRC (which needs strengthening).
The Abyei school system's hygiene education program should be reinforced and supported by INGO assistance. It should also include general child-care training seeing as younger girls are often assigned child-care duties within the household.
One child we encountered (photo) was so severely dehydrated that the top of his skull could be depressed. The child probably did not survive, all because his mother did not know not to dress her child in a snow-suit that someone had donated.
Supply of Food
The Abyei region has a fragile natural resource base with a low agricultural input / output (>1 ton/HA) Income-generating inputs such as a Gum Arabica collection and export system. A vehicle for this would be social structures such as the Abyei Chamber of Commerce.
The high social cohesion in the Ngok Dinka community has done much to mitigate the pressure on residents, but community-based reintegration activities must be developed to avoid intra-community conflict over food. The lack of livelihood opportunities for returnees is impeding the absorption into the resident community. It is therefore critical that household food security systems be supported and that reception be supplemented with agricultural tools, training and veterinary services.
The main farming systems of the Abyei region are based on opportunistic dry sowing with minimal cultivation. This means that only a fraction of the sowed areas are harvested. As rainfall increases, the bulk of production is normally generated from the southern zones of each state. Sorghum is grown on the heavier clay soils and provides the more reliable output. Millet, grown on the sandier soils in the northern zones of the region, is subject to huge fluctuations depending on rainfall distribution.
Livestock are generally in good condition throughout the country with pasture and water holes (hafirs).
There are several heretofore unknown threats to crop growers specific to the Abyei region:
The parasitic weed striga (Scrophulariaceae family) is a perennial problem for sorghum producers. When infestation reaches a certain threshold, farmers often opt to switch crops, growing millet instead, which is slightly less susceptible to striga. The parastic weed is very difficult to get rid of, its seeds capable of remaining viable in the soil for 20 years.
The parasitic weed broomrape (Orobanche sp) has infested substantial areas of land where faba beans and vegetables are grown. Since this weed is also execptionally difficult weed to eliminate, many farmers opt to not grow beans, thereby depriving people of much-needed protein in their diet.
Flocks of birds also pose a significant threat. A farmer who sows his fields before his neighbors risks losing most of the seed to birds. Farmers therefore often delay sowing until after their neighbors.
Sorghum bug (Agonoscelis pubescens) and sorghum midge (Contarinia sorghicola) have been reported in Nile State. In Gedaref, the pest was satisfactorily held in check through campaigns mounted by SMAARI (State Ministry of Agriculture, Animal Resources and Irrigation).
Recommendations
Well-timed local purchases should be made by the Sudan Strategic Reserve Corporation (SRC) for food aid programs so as to prevent domestic food market distortions and ensure locally acceptable varieties of cereals.
Timely assistance is required to support vulnerable farming communities and emergency support to returnees before the start of the May/June cropping season.
A price support system should therefore be set up in order to protect local farmers. Whilst low sorghum prices have favored local consumption, they adversely impact on production. Retail prices of as low as SP 13,000 per 90kg bag is well below the SP 18,000 considered to be the break-even price. Many farmers have therefore scaled down land preparation, thus affecting yields.
A program should be implemented to provide seeds, hand-held agricultural tools and veterinary services such as in the FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) program.
Subsidized leasing of mechanized, gas-powered tillers / cultivators owned by local NGOs or a co-operative community program would increase crop yield.
A training program in the use of compost would be valuable seeing as the ground soil is a very dense clay with a low yield.
Provision of Serena sorghum, Katumani maize, oil, seeds, pulse and vegetables.
Provision of tools such as hoes, push hoes (mallodas), machetes, axes and sickles.
Consideration should be given to obtaining technical expertise on the viability of Gum Arabica production.
Early warning systems pertaining to food security monitoring should be strengthened.
A market study should be conducted to determine the extent of commodity flows, market functions and impact of food aid on agricultural production and domestic markets.
A system of co-operative milling locations should be set up and administered by local trading, thereby lowering cost of milling.
The Abyei Chamber of Commerce (composed of Misseriya and Dinka traders who have joined together) should be supported, assisted and incorporated into Food Security and Livelihood planning.
Health
Lack of health services is a particularly big problem in Abyei
The overall nutritional status fluctuates around the emergency level among children below two years of age – SAM (Severe Acute Malnutrition) is at 5.6 percent, the main cause being inappropriate caring and feeding practices, suggesting a need for education of mothers and caregivers.
Although malnutrition rates fall below emergency threshold levels, the situation should be monitored closely as the problem appears to be of a long-term, chronic nature.
Food aid alone is not sufficient to protect against malnutrition. There are many other factors that need to be addressed in order to ensure an acceptable nutritional status, especially sanitation and hygiene.
Morbidity is lower compared to last year, but still very high.
Consumption of unsafe water is a crucial factor.
There is low coverage rate of vitamin A, which contributes to the mortality rate.
A measles vaccination campaign was recently carried out, targeted the entire community.
Outbreaks of malaria, dengue, meningitis, cholera and tuberculosis have all occurred during 2006-07.
Epidemic preparedness will be an imperative in 2007.
Incidence of TB and HIV/AIDS in Abyei is increasing, although exact data is limited. Since Abyei is one of the favorite transit points for returnees, the population movements following the CPA may have contributed to the increasing transmission rates.
There is a general lack of awareness of HIV/AIDS, which is a large problem.
The Abyei town hospital is currently staffed by local and Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) staff, James Maskalyk, an American MD.
Recommendations
Capacity-building for the Ministry of Health, with greater emphasis on epidemiological monitoring.
Early warning systems for disease outbreak must be implemented.
A reporting system should be established by medical INGO points of care and a WHO-assisted monitoring system.
Basic hygiene, child-care, as well as pre-and post-natal health care should be implemented in collaboration with the local organizations and women’s groups.
Emergency first aid training should be given to the SPLM affiliated organizations.
A glaring need is that of an investment in the Abyei town hospital – if MSF were to pull its resources from the hospital, it would no longer be capable of meeting the health needs of Abyei.
There is a great need for collection and collation of health care records in order to obtain an epidemiological overview of the state of medical needs in Abyei.
A program that administers treatment of Bilharzia (a single oral dose of the drug Praziquantel would suffice until vaccine is available). Treatment of water sources that contain the parasite should also be conducted (using niclosamide or copper sulfate).
The boy in the photo, although from a well-to-do family, was dying of Bilharzia. The parasites were slowly eating away at his organs, the larvae already visible and twitching in his eyes. Treatment: $3 USD.
Transport
Since Abyei is located along one of the main north-south transport routes, it is a significant point of return for IDPs and refugees as people move from north Sudan to Bahr el Ghazal and beyond.
The condition of the unpaved roads is very poor and has been damaged by trucking. A maximum speed for a 4x4 cannot exceed 50 km/h.
Recommendations
The concerted international effort to pave the region’s roads must be continued.
A system of communication between the SRRC / HAC and the UNJLC should be set up, with prearranged HF radio frequencies, provision of satellite telephones to key SRRC personell and prepositioned emergency resources.
Infrastructure
The majority of people live in dwellings called tukuls, traditional round housing units that use a simple “mud and stud” construction technique with roofing made of reed thatching. Larger communal constructions of the same type are called wharals. These houses have a limited lifespan and are a health hazard – dust and fungal growth in the roofing material is a constant irritant to the human system and causes very high rates of URTIs (Upper Respiratory Tract Infections).
An open space is usually left for a doorway, and there is evidence of improvisation in door construction. In Abyei Town, the blue Unicef latrine base plate can often be seen used as a door.
Rope is used to tie the roof supports to the sides of the walls, but this is hard to come by.
There is a group of traditional building specialists present who are employed by the community to construct tukuls.
Recommendations
A humanitarian depot, with an emphasis on building materials and tools, should be set up and made available to partner organizations.
The most immediate material need for traditional builders is saws and rope.
A job training program for the traditional builders would do much to improve the durability of local infrastructure.
Material Needs
The need for material non-food items is massive throughout the region.
Recommendations
The high cost of building materials in the Abyei area must be addressed.
Standard of living would be greatly improved if plastic sheeting, piping, household water catchments, storage vessels, brick-making machines, nails, roofing materials, hand tools, gas-powered tillers and garden tractors were made available.
The hospital requires supplies of items ranging from oxygen systems to cots.
A coordinated effort to liaise with the hospital administrators and MSF staff is required in order to clearly determine the hospital’s material needs.
Computer support and digitizing of the hospital intake records should be supported.
Assets on the Ground
The extremely high social cohesion and traditional hierarchy among the Dinka is their primary asset.
The necessary elements for cross-mandate operations are coordinating structures and inter-agency funding arrangements that aim to strengthen the only existant local civil structures:
The Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SRRC) headed by Bol, Dau Deng, can chair task forces and muster a broad-based coalition of local organizations.
The Abyei Chamber of Commerce is composed of 55 elected members currently undergoing administrative training.
Recommendations
These two social structures must be strengthened and assisted with training, communications equipment and transport. The Abyei SRRC demonstrates great willingness to receive and implement training in order to further their mandate.
Time Frames
The population’s patience with the lack of an established civil authority has a definite time limit, which can only be accurately gauged by local organizations. Various groups have and will continue to emerge and fill the gaps created by the political impasse.
It is critical to consider weather patterns when designing and scheduling interventions, due to the impassable nature of the unpaved road system in Southern Sudan.
Recommendations
Pre-positioning of emergency resources should effected before the rainy season.
Economy
Limited to small trading in the local markets, primarily by Arab traders stocking foodstuffs transported by truck from the north, some agricultural activity, and artisan gathering of gum arabica.
The majority of the local population is living at sustenance level, with occasional remittances from relatives working in the north and abroad.
Recommendations
Some investment in and strengthening of the Abyei Chamber of Commerce (mediated by the SRRC) would greatly assist the development of economic activities.
For My Fellows chabook
My fellows Twic,
I am so mad...Some of you will see the defferents in the next coming years. Miss south (Cecilia, the front desk agent of GoSS mission in DC) told me yesterday that the loss for Twic community is 90%.
Let me just sing the well known song in our Dinka language, please notice that I don't have a Dinka Software.
Please also notice, that this is not a raisim but a mourn.
The Song goes like this........
Be yen Ayak cool...Gumtor ku Jobar che wun aa Adiang Yumdit, Hol hol ku Arwen Chan ku Goi Awak ku You Akang Deng ku Luitaa..........
remeber, Yau Akang Deng is where Dominic Diim hailed from.
I couldn't remeber the rest of the song...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had never have a person in that position (Dominic Dim)
Let us hope that we find some one in the next coming years.
I am so mad...Some of you will see the defferents in the next coming years. Miss south (Cecilia, the front desk agent of GoSS mission in DC) told me yesterday that the loss for Twic community is 90%.
Let me just sing the well known song in our Dinka language, please notice that I don't have a Dinka Software.
Please also notice, that this is not a raisim but a mourn.
The Song goes like this........
Be yen Ayak cool...Gumtor ku Jobar che wun aa Adiang Yumdit, Hol hol ku Arwen Chan ku Goi Awak ku You Akang Deng ku Luitaa..........
remeber, Yau Akang Deng is where Dominic Diim hailed from.
I couldn't remeber the rest of the song...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We had never have a person in that position (Dominic Dim)
Let us hope that we find some one in the next coming years.
Folks,
In brief, Barak Obama said yesterday that he is sorry for not campaigning. That came after Clinton won WV. Now, it is a time for SPLM to say sorry that they did not campaign. Please, campaign, utilize some money properly on that and make moves. that will save some lives in South. Both of you, Salva and Pagan are the key holders of the "not only the movement" but now, the South and that gives you the power.
Because of your power, some died. Please do not stop now. Continue, no mater who wants this or that, you are what we want in the South. At list honored those who died in the name of your/our values.
Long live Salva
Long Live Pagan.
This is a brief request to SG Pagan Amom.
Remember our heroes.
In brief, Barak Obama said yesterday that he is sorry for not campaigning. That came after Clinton won WV. Now, it is a time for SPLM to say sorry that they did not campaign. Please, campaign, utilize some money properly on that and make moves. that will save some lives in South. Both of you, Salva and Pagan are the key holders of the "not only the movement" but now, the South and that gives you the power.
Because of your power, some died. Please do not stop now. Continue, no mater who wants this or that, you are what we want in the South. At list honored those who died in the name of your/our values.
Long live Salva
Long Live Pagan.
This is a brief request to SG Pagan Amom.
Remember our heroes.
Twic Community is in Pain
Dear all,
It may be a matter of "if" to some of you, but we are in great pain. We have lost great fathers, mothers, great sisters and brothers, great leaders and most importantly, our very last representatives in GOSS. Believe me folks, as it was said, 17 out of 21 were from Twic community. They were the ultimate hope of people of Tuic. Impact of such a tragedy plays on everyone's souls for years even generations after.
Everyone in Diaspora knows or heard about General Dominic Dim. His wife "Josephina Apiu Aken" was a member of some of these forums; a mother of well known children including journalist Nyibol Deng "co-founder of BAI TV" Josephine was a London resident. Dr. Justin Yach is well known to anyone here, some of you may know Deng Ajak of London, Mangok Kout of Juba University ..just to name few. Therefore, the incident is unprecedented in the history of Southern Sudan. It can be "only" compared to the loss of Zambia National Team in 1993 where no one was left behind.
As Twic community in particular, be it Southerners in General, we shall not indulge ourselves in politics. As people of Twic, we've just lost our last hope. Investigation should be conducted to show reasons that shattered the hopes of South Sudan. What really happened to our last hope?
I have not yet heard how the victims' families observing the new adjustment. I am fearing some will not bear the shock or may not even survive it. Therefore, and once again, we should not indulge ourselves in politics on such a tragedy. At the moment I and the entire community are in great shock and we are just needing your consoling. The whole South including the tribal areas is in complete chaos as the direct families' members reacted violently to this tragic news. I know that people of Twic in particular will recover and have a peace in time. My heart is with all people who are sorrowed by the loss of their loved ones in the plane tragedy. Let's pull together, be strong and grieve for those unfortunate victims.
Giir Biar
It may be a matter of "if" to some of you, but we are in great pain. We have lost great fathers, mothers, great sisters and brothers, great leaders and most importantly, our very last representatives in GOSS. Believe me folks, as it was said, 17 out of 21 were from Twic community. They were the ultimate hope of people of Tuic. Impact of such a tragedy plays on everyone's souls for years even generations after.
Everyone in Diaspora knows or heard about General Dominic Dim. His wife "Josephina Apiu Aken" was a member of some of these forums; a mother of well known children including journalist Nyibol Deng "co-founder of BAI TV" Josephine was a London resident. Dr. Justin Yach is well known to anyone here, some of you may know Deng Ajak of London, Mangok Kout of Juba University ..just to name few. Therefore, the incident is unprecedented in the history of Southern Sudan. It can be "only" compared to the loss of Zambia National Team in 1993 where no one was left behind.
As Twic community in particular, be it Southerners in General, we shall not indulge ourselves in politics. As people of Twic, we've just lost our last hope. Investigation should be conducted to show reasons that shattered the hopes of South Sudan. What really happened to our last hope?
I have not yet heard how the victims' families observing the new adjustment. I am fearing some will not bear the shock or may not even survive it. Therefore, and once again, we should not indulge ourselves in politics on such a tragedy. At the moment I and the entire community are in great shock and we are just needing your consoling. The whole South including the tribal areas is in complete chaos as the direct families' members reacted violently to this tragic news. I know that people of Twic in particular will recover and have a peace in time. My heart is with all people who are sorrowed by the loss of their loved ones in the plane tragedy. Let's pull together, be strong and grieve for those unfortunate victims.
Giir Biar
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