Information Note

From the Department for International Development

DFID INFORMATION NOTE ON THE HUMANITARIAN SITUATION IN DARFUR, SUDAN

JULY 2004

1. Darfur is an area the size of France in western Sudan. It has a population of approximately 6 million people. The region is divided into three states, North, South and West Darfur. See map. 

2. The current crisis in Darfur, which has resulted in population displacement within Darfur and in Eastern Chad, results from fighting between Darfur-based opposition groups (the Sudanese Liberation Movement/Army, SLM/A, and the Justice and Equality Movement, JEM) and the Government of Sudan and its supported militia groups, known more widely as the Janjaweed.

3. Although the conflict has historical roots, the fighting since April 2003, has escalated into a more widespread campaign of violence. Reports indicate systematic clearing of areas based on the ethnic origin of the population. Civilians have clearly been targeted. The UN Office of the High Commissioner of Human Rights presented a report to the UN Security Council on 7 May. The report identifies disturbing patterns of massive human rights violations by the Sudanese Government and the Janjaweed militia which may constitute war crimes and/or crimes against humanity. The report speaks of forced displacement, arbitrary killing of civilians, and rape. 

4. Following Chad-brokered negotiations in N'Djamena, Chad, the two main opposition groups and the Government of Sudan signed a Humanitarian Ceasefire Agreement on 8 April. Unfortunately, attacks by the Janjaweed and the rebels continue. The African Union is deploying a Ceasefire Commission to monitor observance of the 8 April ceasefire. The Secretary of State for International Development met with the first observers in El Fasher on 8 June. The UK has contributed £2m and a military observer to the team. The EC and other EU Member States are also providing substantial support of finance and personnel. The African Union Summit of Heads of State and Government on 6-8 July urged the Ceasefire Commission (CFC) "to expedite the process, including the deployment of the Protection Elements". The AU is looking to deploy a force of c. 300 people to provide protection for the monitors. 

Kofi Annan and Colin Powell visited Sudan at the end of June. As a result of their visit, and the build up of international pressure, the Government of Sudan and the UN issued a joint communiqué that set out a series of commitments on the humanitarian situation, human rights and security aimed at resolving the crisis. This is available on www.reliefweb.int . The first meeting of the Joint Implementation Mechanism took place on 15 July and was attended by Jan Pronk, Special Representative of the Secretary General for Sudan. Another meeting is due to take place on 2 August. The African Union brokered talks to start a political dialogue in Darfur. These began on 15 July and concluded on 17 July. Discussions on an agenda and a venue for more talks are ongoing. 

6. The UN report on Human rights report recommended that the UN deploy human rights observers to Darfur. With UK support the UN is working to deploy these monitors as quickly as possible. Following the decision of the Commission on Human Rights in April, the UN have now appointed an independent expert on Human Rights in Sudan - Mr Emmanuel Akwei Addo. The UN Special Rapporteur on Extra-Judicial Executions, Asma Jahangir, has also visited Sudan in early June. She expressed grave concern about the credible reports of serious human rights violations she received. Her report will be published in due course.

Humanitarian Situation

7. The UN estimates that the conflict has led to internal displacement of over 1.2 million people, and that at least a further 180,000 have fled to Chad. This movement of people is continuing as attacks and insecurity persist. UNHCR estimate that there is likely to be over 200,000 Sudanese refugees in Chad by the end of 2004. 

8. The humanitarian situation in Darfur and Eastern Chad at present remains dire, with large numbers of internally displaced people (IDPs) living in camps and host communities with poor water and sanitation and health facilities. Essential food and non-food supplies are intermittent or non-existent and there is considerable risk from communicable disease outbreaks. The rainy season, from May - September, adds to these problems, making some parts of Darfur and Eastern Chad inaccessible and increasing the vulnerability of IDPs to disease and exposure. This is further complicated by the fact that we are now in the traditional 'hungry season' where the wider population traditionally suffers from shortages and food insecurity. Recent years of drought have exacerbated this. These combined factors when twinned with the ongoing conflict, means that the entire Darfur population must be considered as highly vulnerable.

9. Current humanitarian needs are enormous in all sectors. Figures below are taken from the UN monthly Humanitarian Profile for the month of June available at www.unsudanig.org . A weekly UN update is also provided on this site. 

• Protection: Reports indicate that IDPs remain vulnerable to attack even in the camps, as militias plunder attack those with humanitarian assistance, and target people leaving camps to find fuel and fodder. The use of sexual violence in the attacks on villages has left many women in need of particular care and treatment. The fighting has left the population in the camps with a disproportionate number of female-headed households, which is also likely to increase their vulnerability. A joint mission to Darfur by the UN and the Government of Sudan looking at security of IDPs is due to take place before the end of July. The Government of Sudan is also deploying additional police to Darfur. 
• Food and Nutrition: (UN estimated coverage 52%) The WFP estimates that approximately 1.2 million people are in need of food assistance but this is likely to increase as more areas of Darfur are accessed. WFP estimated that it reached 630,000 IDPs with food assistance in June. Levels of malnutrition across the region vary, with child malnutrition a particular concern in many IDP camps. WFP are also considering the need to undertake air drops of food to areas inaccessible by road. 
• Health: The health of the IDP and refugee population is in a critical state. The onset of rains will worsen the risk of communicable and water borne diseases, including malaria and acute respiratory infections. There are serious concerns about measles and cholera. In addition, cases of polio have also been diagnosed in West Darfur. 
• Shelter (UN estimated coverage 54%) Provision of adequate shelter is vital for protection against the harsh desert climate and the heavy rains which fall across the region from June to September. The majority of IDP and refugee camps lack permanent structures, and some have been established in remote locations with no existing shelters. 
• Water and Sanitation: (UN estimated coverage 38% water and 13% sanitation) The lack of clean water is acute. Poor sanitation is a significant factor in child mortality and the vulnerability of the displaced population. 

10. Capacity to respond to the emergency is improving but remains limited. The UN estimates that over 1000 international humanitarian staff are needed to cope with the crisis, but that as of mid-July, only 300 were in place to do so. There are also resource constraints. The UN estimates that they still need over $100m for their 2004 appeal. And the needs will continue to rise. 

11. The Disasters Emergency Committee ( www.dec.org.uk  ) launched an emergency appeal for Sudan on 20 July. Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for International Development, said:

"The UK government welcomes the launch of a DEC appeal for Darfur. The situation there is of grave concern and urgent action is required by all of us. The International community must redouble its efforts. UN agencies and NGOs need to deploy experienced staff quickly. 

The Government of Sudan must also deliver on the commitments it gave to Colin Powell and Kofi Annan to stop the janjaweed attacks on civilians, help the AU ceasefire monitors to get to work, and remove the remaining obstacles to humanitarian access."

UK Response 

12. The UK Government is seriously concerned about Darfur and is fully engaged through the joint FCO/DFID Sudan Unit in London and the Embassy in Khartoum. The Secretary of State for International Development visited Darfur between 6-8 June. He spoke to IDPs in three camps, to UN agencies and NGOs, and to the Government of Sudan in Khartoum. See press release . Since his visit, the Secretary of State has spoken to the Sudanese Foreign Minister and the Sudanese Minister for Humanitarian Affairs about the crisis. He spoke to Kofi Annan and Colin Powell both before and following their visit to Sudan. He has also been in regular contact with the heads of the UN agencies leading the response, including OCHA, WFP, UNICEF, UNHCR and WHO. 

13. The UK is the second largest bilateral donor in Darfur. We are the largest non-food donor and the largest funder of NGOs. Since September 2003, we have allocated £62.5m for humanitarian assistance. This includes a further £28m announced by the Secretary of State on 13th July. We are urging other donors to contribute more. The Secretary of State has been in frequent correspondence with our EU and other donor partners on Darfur. Details of our commitments so far are outlined in a funding table . The UK humanitarian response has focused on:

• Promoting an effective UN-led response:

a. Significant financial resources in response to the UN appeal. This has included contributions to WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF and WHO. 
b. Support to UN Co-ordination mechanisms through provision of finance and personnel to OCHA and the UN Joint Logistics Centre.
c. Provision of experts, material and equipment to individual agencies to bolster their response.
d. Support to logistics and common services as set out in the UN 90 day plan. 

• Support to the International Committee of the Red Cross
• Expanding NGO operational capacity:

a. Financial resources for NGOs already operational in Darfur and Chad.
b. Financial support to enable NGOs to launch operations.

14. We will continue to focus on these areas, and work closely with the UN and NGOs to direct our remaining resources. This will include substantial support for logistics and common services in accordance with our forward strategy for the UK humanitarian response . 

15. We have also provided £2m to the African Union Monitoring Mechanism from the Africa Conflict Prevention Pool. This takes the total UK response to Darfur to £64.5m. 

16. The UK Government is heavily engaged in frequent high-level contact to promote a resolution to the crisis in Darfur. We are pressing for:

• All parties to the conflict to observe the ceasefire, allow unimpeded humanitarian access and conclude a political dialogue as set out in the UN Security Council Resolution 1547. 
• Full deployment of the African Union Monitoring Mechanism, with the full co-operation of all parties to the conflict and full support from the international community. 
• Government of Sudan to fulfil commitments made in the 3 July communiqué including ensuring protection of civilians and reining in the Janjaweed. Adequate civilian police need to be deployed, who are not ex-Janjaweed. Return by IDPs and refugees should only take place on a voluntary basis once the situation is secure.
• Government of Sudan to lift all constraints on access for humanitarian personnel and supplies
• Deployment of UN human rights monitors in Darfur with the support of the Government of Sudan and the international community.

International Response

17. We are working closely with our international partners to pursue a solution in Darfur. Darfur has been raised at the Security Council on several occasions. Discussions on a possible resolution on Darfur continue. The G8 issued a statement on Darfur from the Sea Island summit and Darfur is regularly discussed in EU meetings at both Ministerial and official level. See link for the conclusions of the General Affairs and External Relations Council (GAERC) on 12 July.

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