Humanitarian Action in Darfur Weekly Bulletin No. 30
28 August 2008
HEALTH AND NUTRITION
North Darfur
– As the rains become more frequent in North Darfur, UNICEF and the State Water Corporation have been intensifying soap distribution in El-Fasher camps and Kutum with over 1,000,000 bars of soap released to partners over the last week in order to mitigate the spread of disease.
South Darfur
– UNICEF released anthropometric equipment and treated bed nets to partners CARE, ARC, MDM and the State Ministry of Health. UNICEF nutrition staff conducted refresher training for doctors at the Nyala Teaching hospital on signs and symptoms of Malnutrition and conducted a rapid nutritional assessment of IDP populations in the areas of Yassin of Sharia locality.
– UNICEF also supported the training of 21 participants from Ed Daein in peer education on HIV/AIDS. An additional 29 participants where trained in inter-personal communications skills related to HIV/AIDS.
West Darfur
– UNICEF released 15 cartons F-100, 15 cartons F-75, 20 of nutritional paste and one therapeutic kit to the Ministry of Health’s Mornie Therapeutic Feeding Centre which services a population of approximately 76,000 people.
– Through UNICEF support, 60 health workers and volunteers were trained by SNAP (Sudan National AIDS Programme) in Interpersonal Communication techniques for HIV/AIDS awareness in Zallingie. The 5 day training was facilitated by 3 trainers experienced in TOT (Training of Trainers) from Geneina.
– In Geneina, a 2 day workshop on DDR, Interim Care Centre procedures, and the role of social workers was facilitated for 16 social workers from the Ministry of Social Welfare, in collaboration with NSDDRC-WD (North Sudan Disarm, Demobilize, and Reintegration Commission) and UNICEF.
PROTECTION AND HUMAN RIGHTS
North Darfur
– Women and children affected by crime in North Darfur will benefit from a new source of support and care with the opening of the first Family and Child Protection Unit in the state.The Unit, based in El Fasher, has been established by the North Darfur Police and the State Council for Child Welfare, in partnership with UNICEF. Children, women and families can now report crimes which have affected them, including rape, abuse and violence, in a safe and private environment. The Unit is staffed by police officers who have been specifically trained on the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and child-friendly procedures. The Units are also equipped to support young offenders.
– This week also saw the opening of a new office housing the State Council for Child Welfare in El Fasher, also supported by UNICEF. The Council is a key advocate for upholding the rights of children in line with international standards.
WATER AND SANITATION
South Darfur
– Following severe flooding in Kalma camp, South Darfur, Oxfam has been carrying out surveys to assess levels of water contamination and the extent of damage to latrines. In Sector 1 of the camp around 80% of latrines have been destroyed. There are plans to undertake distributions of soap, jerry cans and other items, but this has been delayed due to the recent violence in the camp.
– Flooding and the impact upon the community remain a priority for UNICEF and partners. Kalma Camp in particular has been affected. UNICEF and partner the State Water Corporation are monitoring the situation and regularly chlorinating the water supplies to the IDPs. In Mossai, Kass and Otash Camps, UNICEF/State Water Corporation water supplies are producing over 7 million litres per week of chlorinated water to affected IDP communities.
NON-FOOD ITEMS AND EMERGENCY SHELTER
North Darfur
– This week Mercy-Malaysia distributed plastic sheeting in support of community projects in Zamzam Camp in the El Fasher locality.
South Darfur
– UNJLC: Flood response distributions in Kalma camp have been put on hold temporarily due to recent security restrictions.