The humanitarian situation in Sudan
Six years after the initial implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) that aimed to put an end to more than 20 years of conflict, Sudan continues to face serious challenges.
Frequent armed conflicts, poor health indicators, lack of social services and recurrent natural disasters have pushed Sudan to a critical point from the humanitarian perspective.
Food insecurity in Sudan is a serious threat, and acute malnutrition is at a dangerous level. Child and maternal mortality rates remain high. The current unrest surrounding Southern Sudan's independence exacerbates the threats to children.
Independence in South Sudan
In the aftermath of South Sudan's independence on July 9, tensions remain high in border regions where fighting has displaced hundreds of thousands.
Fighting since early June in the disputed South Kordofan region has left more than 70,000 people displaced. Humanitarian access is limited due to security and other issues. UNICEF and its partners continue to advocate for humanitarian access in the state.
To date, UNICEF has been able to implement some basic interventions for children and families displaced by fighting along the borders including:
- provision of essential drugs and medicines to women and children;
- nutritional screening and therapeutic feeding for children and pregnant women;
- hygiene training and emergency water supplies;
- and reunification of children with their families.
UNICEF: "Provider of Last Resort" in Darfur
UNICEF has maintained a significant humanitarian operation in Darfur since the crisis began in 2003. Over the years, UNICEF has helped scores of children and families with lifesaving supplies and initiatives.
For the past year, UNICEF has had to scale up its work to fill the gaps in humanitarian assistance left by the forced expulsion of aid groups by the Sudanese government in March 2009.
In the nine months that followed the ouster, 43% of all children in Darfur who were treated for severe acute malnutrition received support directly as a result of UNICEF's efforts as the "provider of last resort" under an agreement with the government.
