How the support of the European Commission ensured rapid assistance for families displaced by the Lords' Resistance Army in Southern Sudan
Since the end of 2008, intensified attacks by the Lord’s Resistance Army upon towns in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and communities in Southern Sudan have led to thousands of refugees flooding into Southern Sudan, joining more than 35,000 internally displaced persons from within Southern Sudan. As of February 2009, aid agencies estimated that some 16,000 people had fled from the DRC, mostly to the Southern Sudan states of Central and Western Equatoria. Responding to the immediate needs of those affected by the attacks has required a concerted effort by humanitarian agencies and development partners, to ensure that refugee and displaced families get access to shelter, food, water and sanitation and basic household items. Since January 2009, UNICEF has been able to provide non-food item kits funded by the European Commission’s Humanitarian Aid Department. Each kit contains sleeping mats, tarpaulins for shelter, water containers, soap and other household items and caters for a family of between five and six people.Responding to the immediate needs of those affected by the attacks has required a concerted effort by humanitarian agencies and development partners. In response to current needs in Central and Western Equatoria UNICEF has made available 2,000 of these kits, which can be easily transported by road or air from UNICEF’s supply hub for Southern Sudan in the city of Juba through a network of implementing partners including Oxfam and IMC. The contribution of the European Commission to this operation is valued at US$210,000, and is part of a broader contribution to UNICEF’s work in Sudan, which in 2008 totalled US$10.5 million. European Commission funds were provided to UNICEF in 2008 in recognition of the need to have emergency stocks on standby at key hubs in Southern Sudan, ready to respond quickly to a sudden humanitarian emergency. The donor agency has also been particularly understanding of the humanitarian context in Southern Sudan, which includes difficulties in access and high transport and operational costs related to the provision of emergency relief.
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