A flexible response to a complex emergency
EN DE | LAST UPDATED: March 2, 2008
The primary goal of our response is to improve the quality of life of internally displaced persons (IDPs) and communities most affected by the violence and unrest in South and West Darfur and in so doing to develop the capacity of our national members -- Sudan Council of Churches (SCC) and Sudanaid -- and our national partner organisation in Sudan, the Sudan Social Development Organisation (SUDO). As we carry out our work, we seek to contribute towards a lasting peace.
ACT-Caritas is one of the largest relief operations in South and West Darfur assisting more than 250,000 people affected by the conflict -- both those displaced and host communities whose resources have been impacted by the influx of IDPs. Through our multi-national team of 27 international and 318 Sudanese staff, our response has offices in Nyala, Zalingei, Garsila and Kubum, and our national members and partners have an office in El Dhein.
Within Sudan, ACT-Caritas is legally represented through lead ACT member, Norwegian Church Aid (NCA). UK-based Catholic Agency for Overseas Development (CAFOD) is the lead Caritas member for the joint response. In order to maximise our impact and assistance, we collaborate with the Humanitarian Aid Commission of Sudan (HAC), government ministries, UN agencies and other humanitarian organisations.
2008 Planned Impact
Through a US $13,633,790 appeal for 2008, we plan to support communities in the following sectors of response:
| Sector | Number of People |
| Water and Sanitation | 233,886 |
| Health and Nutrition | 272.520 |
| Emergency Preparedness and Response | 150,000 |
| Psychosocial, Peacebuilding and Protection | 82,295 |
| Agriculture | 8,250 |
| School Support | 27,240 |
Please note: Because of our cross-sector and integrated assistance to communities, the numbers should not be aggregated.
Water and Sanitation
ACT-Caritas improves access to safe and clean water and sanitary facilities in South and West Darfur for both internally displaced persons (IDPs) and vulnerable host communities. A critical aspect of the response is the empowerment and capacity building of communities to manage their own water facilities and sanitation needs. Through our response, we also conduct solid waste disposal programmes as well as household cleanliness and hygiene education campaigns.
In the fourth quarter of 2007, we provided more than 8,950,000 litres of chlorinated water in camps through bladder tanks and pumping systems.
In 2008, we plan to reduce the drilling of boreholes to locations where there is clear emergency need, in order to focus more energy on sustainable solutions including the further development of responsible water user committees, regular trainings on pump maintenance and repair, and other community empowerment activities.
Health and Nutrition
In our largest sector of response, ACT-Caritas contributes to the improved health and nutritional status of IDP and vulnerable host communities through a focus on preventative and curative health care and nutrition services in South and West Darfur.
ACT-Caritas provided multidisciplinary training to a total of 20,475 persons including health workers, community members, caregivers, midwives and nurses in the fourth quarter of 2007. Training topics included nutrition and health education, capacity building, personal and environmental hygiene, HIV and AIDS prevention, Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST), the importance of antenatal care, prevention of malaria, prevention of diarrhoea, causes and prevention of malnutrition, breast-feeding, skin diseases and eye infections.
The supplementary feeding programme, which assists malnourished children under 5 years of age, and pregnant and breast-feeding mothers, supported 9,791 persons in the last three months of 2007.
In 2008, ACT-Caritas plans to assist close to 272,520 persons through 8 clinics, 5 nutrition centres, 1 mobile clinic and 1 rural hospital. One of the key priorities for the year is the introduction of “safe motherhood initiatives” at all clinics, which includes clean delivery and antenatal care packages for all expectant mothers. For the first six months of 2008, ACT-Caritas will also be monitoring and technically supporting nine clinics that were handed over to the State Ministry of Health in 2007.
Emergency Preparedness and Response
ACT-Caritas pursues an integrated approach across the sectors in responding to sudden onset emergencies in South and West Darfur. We carry out regular needs assessments to determine where and what the needs are of newly displaced persons in order to effectively respond.
In the last quarter of 2007, we provided essential household items for shelter construction and hygiene kits to 1,938 people -- both new arrivals in IDP camps and returnees. The non-food items (NFIs) included plastic sheets, plastic mats, blankets, cooking sets, mosquito nets, water containers and soap.
Depending on need, we are planning to distribute NFIs to 25,000 vulnerable IDP households, host communities and returnees in South and West Darfur this year, while maintaining a stock holding level of 5,000 NFI packages for rapid distribution in case of emergencies such as conflict, fire and floods.
Psychosocial, Peacebuilding and Protection
In response to the significant distress caused by being uprooted in a conflict situation, ACT-Caritas helps communities to deal with trauma, empowers them to take charge of their own protection needs, and supports communities in working towards building a sustainable peace.
Last year, we partnered with communities to provide regular trainings and awareness raising sessions through community centres on topics including basic human rights, international humanitarian law, IDP guiding principles, peacebuilding and conflict transformation, women’s and child rights. We also created space for income generation and recreational activities including sports, community days and kindergartens.
In 2008, we are managing 10 community centres engaged in the following activities:
- Income generation (mat making, sewing, macaroni making, bread making)
- Kindergarten and adult education (literary classes)
- Awareness raising, peacebuilding and workshops on human rights
- Group and individual counseling
- Recreational activities
As we work, we are increasing our focus on youth with targeted activities including livelihood skills development and awareness raising for at-risk behaviour. We are also developing activities aimed at empowering women to be participants in peace processes.
Agriculture
As many have been forced from their homes and their land, we provide agriculture assistance to help support livelihood activities of those affected by the conflict, facilitating self-reliance in food production and contributing to improved nutritional status.
At the end of 2007, we provided 1,006 IDP and host community families with winter seeds for okra, tomato and onion crops. We plan to support 8,250 people with agriculture assistance in 2008 through a variety of programmes including seed and tool distribution, community farming, poultry production and nursery construction.
School Support
ACT-Caritas provides access to basic primary education for children, both boys and girls, affected by the conflict, ensuring continuity in their schooling and a stable environment in which to learn.
During the final quarter of 2007, more than 65 classrooms and offices were rehabilitated and maintained along with the construction of 20 new classrooms and offices in South and West Darfur. In 2008, we plan to assist 27,240 students through the construction and support of permanent and temporary schools within both IDP camps and host communities, as well as through the provision of school materials, and the training of parent teaching associations and school administrators.
