Rapid Emergency Food Needs Assessment Geissan and Kurmuk Localities, Blue Nile State March 2013

Transcription

1 Rapid Emergency Food Needs Assessment Geissan and Kurmuk Localities, Blue Nile State March 2013 Executive Summary: In September 2011, conflict broke out in Blue Nile State resulting in forced displacement of populations within and outside the state. WFP lacked access to affected populations outside Damazine and Rossaries towns in Blue Nile State for over 18 consecutive months. In early March 2013, an inter-agency team comprising WFP, UNDSS, Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) and cooperating partners Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) and Mubadiroon conducted a rapid needs assessment in several locations across the six localities of Blue Nile State, for the first time since the conflict erupted in The conflict has negatively impacted the overall food security situation in all visited localities. The primary factors affecting the food security situation include: massive displacements; loss of assets; limited access to agricultural land; lack of cultivation in the last agricultural season; limited/lack of income-generating activities; and the significant increase in transportation cost and prices of essential food items. The assessment findings indicate that the most vulnerable population groups are those who were directly affected by the fighting. This sector of the population has lost its assets as a result of displacement and remained displaced. Returnees of this group arrived without assets or alternative source of income. The second population group includes those who were displaced for a short period of time and managed to secure few household assets and access to limited farmland for cultivation during the previous year. Access to food sources and income reduced in a number of locations due to insecurity. Insecurity prevented farmers in most villages from planting or harvesting their crops during the last agricultural season. Cereal prices have increased by percent compared to the prices during the same period last year. Fuel prices have also increased by percent compared to last year s prices. Market purchases were carried out using income generated through sale of charcoal, labor and collecting grass and palm leaves. People relied on food 1

2 assistance provided by the Government of Sudan (GoS)/HAC as a major source for food. Alternative sources of income for the displaced populations were very limited and included: sale of livestock and assets; waged labor (including gold mining); and loans. Assessed populations of IDPs and returnees confirmed irregular food distributions by HAC since their displacement. The last round of food distribution in Geissan town was carried out in early February 2013, while in other parts of the locality food was last distributed in June Food commodities distributed by HAC, through local authorities, composed of cereals, pulses and oil. However, food rations were not consistent falling between 4 to 6 kilograms of cereals per person which was not sufficient to cover household food requirements. During the rainy season (June-October) roads leading to Geissan and Kurmuk become impassable and blocked with a number of valleys and streams, making markets in these two localities completely inaccessible. Findings showed that some of the assessed displaced populations have integrated with the local community. Primary needs for the displaced include shelter and other non-food items; access to safe potable water; health facilities with equipment, drugs and personnel ASSESSMENT OBJECTIVES: The main objectives of the assessment are the following: 1. To verify the number of conflict-affected/idp population; 2. To gauge the overall food security situation and expected trend in the near future; 3. To prepare for upcoming road and logistics assessments to facilitate delivery and prepositioning of food assistance, if recommended. METHODOLOGY: The joint assessment team comprised of staff from WFP (national and international); Federal and State HAC offices; and cooperating partners (SRCS and Mubadiroon). WFP and HAC jointly reviewed the list of locations with reported IDPs and returnees to determine priorities. The plan was drawn according to priority needs and agreed criterion. The number of affected people and lack of access during the rainy season are among the primary criteria used to identify priority locations for the assessment. 2

3 In the three localities of Geissan, Kurmuk and Bau of total of 17 selected locations out of 16 planned were visited. Some locations were revised once the team arrived to the respective locations due to the realities on ground in terms locations of affected populations following updated information at locality levels. The rapid assessment aims at collecting qualitative information, with a focus on verifying the numbers of affected people. Findings are expected to improve understanding of the food security situation of the conflict-affected populations and to also determine immediate needs. Needs assessment was carried out through establishment of semi-structured focus group/key informant discussions, population verification, market visits to review availability and prices, selected household visits and observation tools. Logistics review was also conducted to identify food delivery routes, accessibility during the rainy season and storage availability for prepositioning. Table 1: Areas visited by locality and verified numbers of affected people by category No. of Verified Numbers of People in Need of Visited Localities Households Food Assistance Geissan Total 2,621 12,296 IDPs 2,338 11,127 Alyas 235 1,012 Bakori 1,105 4,955 Geissan town 531 2,505 Yara 467 2,655 Returnees 283 1,169 Geissan town 283 1,169 Kurmuk Total 7,408 39,067 Conflict-affected 3,505 19,681 Bulang 3,505 19,681 IDPs 1,964 10,190 Bulang 791 4,245 Dindiro 578 3,239 Kurmuk Town 595 2,706 Returnees 1,939 9,196 Dindiro 760 3,756 Keli 600 3,000 Kurmuk Town 579 2,440 Bau Total 5,253 24,890 Conflict-affected 533 2,806 Abu Garrin 533 2,806 3

4 IDPs 4,084 18,991 Alshaheed Afandi 685 3,430 Deireng 709 3,311 Mediam Jabal 515 2,357 Megenza 829 3,859 Mesfa 294 1,629 Samsour 430 1,687 Wed Abouk 622 2,718 Returnees 371 1,693 Deireng Megenza Returnes 265 1,400 Bugees 265 1,400 Grand Total 15,282 76,253 ASSESSMENT FINDINGS: 1. Affected Populations Profiles: The identified affected populations were divided into the below main groups: a. Directly Affected Populations (still displaced or returned without assets): this group includes those who remain displaced and unable to return to their places of origin due to insecurity as well as returnees. The majority of this group was directly affected by the conflict and lost their assets upon displacement. This population depended on agricultural activities, however were unable to cultivate their land during the 2012 planting season due to insecurity. This population group will require a longer period of time to regain self-sufficiency. Additionally, it was observed that members of these households were mostly women, children and elders. b. Conflict-Affected (displaced prior to conflict): This population group was displaced during the early days of the conflict. However, they managed to secure basic household assets and some relatively valuable belongings. They later returned to their places of origin after a short period of displacement and managed to secure some food stocks as well as livestock. In all assessed locations, this group confirmed that they have limited access to agricultural land. Findings indicated a better food security situation compared to the first group. 2. Both identified population groups are food insecure and have limited access to food sources to meet their daily requirements. 3. Displacement caused significant loss of assets, livelihoods and limited planted areas. Clear evidence of heavy destruction was observed (e.g. from Bakori to Geissan and from Dindiro to Kurmuk) with several 4

5 villages completely abandoned. Insecurity has also resulted in looting of livestock and scarce opportunities for income generating opportunities e.g. charcoal and bamboo cultivation. 4. The initial registration of displaced populations was conducted by the government through the local leaders. During the verification exercise carried out at the household level, absentees at the time and place of verification were removed from the beneficiary list. 5. In Geissan, a total of 12,300 people (11,130 IDPs and 1,170 returnees) were verified as requiring humanitarian assistance, representing a decrease of 50 percent compared to the number initially shared with WFP. 6. In Kurmuk, a total of 39,100 people (10,200 IDPs, 9,200 returnees and 19,700 conflict-affected people) were verified as requiring humanitarian assistance; a 25 percent decrease compared to the number initially shared with WFP. 7. Access to food and markets: The primary food sources for the affected populations include the following: market purchase through income generated by sale of charcoal; waged labor; collecting grass and palm leaves; and assistance from GoS/HAC. Limited alternative sources of income include: sale of livestock and assets; daily labour (including traditional gold mining); and loans. However, there is limited availability of sorghum (feterita). High market prices in Geissan and Kurmuk could be partially attributed to the strict regulations applied on fuel transportation at high prices when available. In addition, the need for regular armed escorts along specific supply routes in each locality (Bokari to Geissan, Dindiro to Kurmuk and also Sally to Keli) limits supply and contributes to price increase. 8. Health and nutrition: Health-facilities were available in the visited locality capitals. However, most of the health facilities are either not functional or have limited services due to lack of health personnel and basic health supplies. Immediate provision of health supplies is significant to avoid health problem during the rainy season. The assessment team has not observed cases of severely malnourished children. Few cases of children with early signs of malnutrition were observed. However, it remains of significance to conduct a rapid nutrition assessment to ensure stability of the nutritional situation. The State Ministry of Health prepares to conduct nutrition surveillance. Results are expected to shed light on the current nutritional status. 5

6 RECOMMENDATIONS: A. Food Assistance: is recommended to the affected groups as follows: I. Directly affected populations (IDPs and returnees) who were displaced from areas of origin, lost their basic household assets and remain displaced or returned without assets are recommended for general food assistance at 100 percent ration immediately for two months. It is also required to pre-position food stocks In May to cover beneficiary requirements for five months until the harvest season. This needs to be followed by a comprehensive food security assessment to identify the most vulnerable populations who require continued assistance. II. Food assistance is recommended for the same period at 50 percent ration to populations who were displaced for a short period and managed to return to their areas of origin with limited loss of assets and limited access to agricultural land during the last season. III. Meanwhile, close monitoring of the food security and nutrition situation should continue considering the volatile security situation that could lead to further lack of access to alternative food sources. B. There is a need for immediate provision of seeds and tools for people who have access to land. C. Few cases of children with early signs of malnutrition were observed. Hence, a proper nutrition assessment is recommended to provide detailed information on the nutritional status and response accordingly. D. A comprehensive food security assessment is required to provide details on the food security situation in these areas at the end of the rainy season to determine future needs. E. Provision of shelters equipment is essential during this period to avail deterioration of the health situation with the start of the rainy season. F. Enhancing the existing health facilities is crucial as most of the health facilities in the visited locations lack the required basic services. 6