South Sudan Juba: China is delivering a total of thirty-five trucks of vital supplies for returnees and refugees

Report from Radio Tamazuj
Dated Friday, 29 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Juba: China delivers six trucks of vital supplies for displaced persons

Six trucks, transporting plastic sheets to aid displaced individuals from Sudan, have arrived in Juba, as announced by South Sudan’s Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs on Thursday. The aid, donated by China, is intended to support refugees and returnees who have been displaced from Sudan.

Minister Albino Akol Atak, overseeing Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, addressed reporters during the reception of the delivered items in Juba. He confirmed the receipt of six trucks, with an additional 20 already stationed in Nimule. The Ministry anticipates the arrival of a total of 35 trucks, carrying 26,145 pieces of plastic sheets to provide crucial support for the returnees and refugees.

“This is a generous donation from the government of China to the people of South Sudan, reflecting our engagement with the international community and donors. It is aimed at seeking assistance for the government and supporting its efforts in responding to the influx of refugees and returnees arising from the conflict in Sudan,” stated Minister Akol.

He further highlighted the urgent situation, mentioning that a total of 460,000 people have already been displaced to South Sudan due to the Sudanese conflict. These individuals are in desperate need of shelter, food, and medicines both in the transit centers and upon reaching their final destinations.

Akol explained that the donation from China will be utilized to provide shelter for the returnees and refugees at both transit sites and their final destinations. He clarified, “This donation will be used to shelter refugees and returnees arriving from Sudan. Some will be directed to transit sites across the country, while others will be taken to their ultimate destinations. It is part of China’s commitment to support the South Sudanese government.”

Akol also hinted at additional support from the Chinese government, amounting to 1.4 million U.S. dollars, which is expected to be delivered before the end of January next year.

Akol conveyed appreciation for the substantial contribution from the government of China, underscoring the authentic friendship between South Sudan and China.

“The government of China has played a crucial role, and on behalf of President Salva Kiir, I extend heartfelt thanks to the government and the people of China for their generous support during our time of need. This underscores that China is a steadfast friend to South Sudan, consistently providing assistance in times of challenges,” Akol remarked.

He further noted that with China’s backing, the government is poised to experience relief. This development brings positive news for the returnees and refugees currently stranded, whether in transit sites or at their designated places of return.

View original: https://radiotamazuj.org/en/news/article/juba-china-delivers-six-trucks-of-vital-supplies-for-displaced-persons

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Related 

China supports displaced persons in South Sudan

There will be another support from the Chinese government for the displaced persons totaling 1.4 million U.S. dollars, which will be delivered before the end of January 2024.

Source: Xinhua, Fri 29 Dec 2023, 00:42:45, Editor: huaxia

http://www.chinaview.cn/africa/20231229/08a14d2ed350400389bb2593fceaa131/c.html

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Sudan: Clashes in Sheikan El Obeid Town, N. Kordofan

Report from DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts - Update Four
Dated Friday, 29 December 2023 - here is a full copy with map:

DTM Sudan Flash Alert: Conflict in Sheikan (El Obeid Town), North Kordofan

DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts provide immediate updates on incidents and sudden displacement in Sudan. These Flash Alerts aim to notify humanitarian partners of sudden events where DTM's Emergency Event Tracking (EET) may subsequently take place.

Between 23 and 25 December 2023, armed clashes renewed between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in El Obeid Town of Sheikan locality, North Kordofan. Clashes were reported in Al Gadisiya, As Salam, Al Jala’a and Al Guba neighborhoods as well as around the stadium and Haj Al Sayed Mosque. As a result of the violence, three individuals were reportedly killed, and 20 others sustained injuries. Field teams monitored the mobility of displaced residents from affected neighborhoods to other towns within Sheikan locality and reported that they have since returned. The situation remains tense and unpredictable. DTM is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further information on displacement and population mobility across Sudan, on a weekly basis, via its Weekly Displacement Snapshot. 

Disclaimer: Due to the current circumstances, the DTM network is relying on remote interviews with key informants and further verification is not possible at this time.

*DTM Sudan Flash Alerts provide an initial estimation of affected population figures gathered from field reports. All information is therefore pending verification through DTM’s Emergency Event Tracking (EET) and/or registration activities and is not to be used as official figures.

Source: VIEW IN BROWSER

https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-sudan-weekly-displacement-snapshot-14

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Canada to launch humanitarian pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudan

Canada to launch humanitarian pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudanhttps://t.co/4COlBCwcAy

— Wasil Ali - واصل علي (@wasilalitaha) December 29, 2023

HERE is a copy of a news release from the Government of Canada's website:

From: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Canada to launch humanitarian pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudan

December 28, 2023—Ottawa—Canada is deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in Sudan, and for the safety and well-being of the Sudanese people. We continue to support the people of Sudan who are striving for peace and an end to violence in the country.

Today, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new family-based humanitarian pathway for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023, so they can reunite on a permanent basis with their family in Canada.

To be eligible, applicants must be a child of any age, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada. Their family connection in Canada will also need to agree to support them and help them build their new life in Canada. More information will be available on the IRCC website soon so people can prepare what they need to apply through the pathway.

These actions build on temporary immigration measures already in place for Sudanese temporary residents in Canada who may be unable to return home due to the situation in their country, and for family members of Canadians and permanent residents who fled Sudan and came to Canada before July 15, 2023.

Canada is working closely with the international community and regional partners to support a peaceful resolution of the conflict. We are also providing international assistance in Sudan, including humanitarian assistance such as funding for emergency food and nutrition assistance, clean water, hygiene, sanitation, health and protection services. We will continue to work with our partners to support efforts to address the needs of vulnerable people affected by violence and insecurity across the country.

Quotes

“The ongoing conflict in Sudan, as well as the humanitarian situation on the ground, remains deeply concerning. Canada will continue to help those in need and uphold our humanitarian traditions as a country. This humanitarian pathway will help reunite loved ones and save lives. We recognize the resilience of the Sudanese people, and are grateful for their continued contributions to their communities and our country.”

– The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Quick facts

• Applicants must complete all biometric and security screening and must not be inadmissible to Canada.
• In 2023, Canada has allocated over $165 million in humanitarian assistance funding to experienced partners in Sudan and neighbouring countries impacted by the crisis.
• In addition to the measures announced today, Canada has already announced temporary measures for Sudanese nationals:
• allowing Sudanese nationals in Canada to apply to extend their stay or change their status as a visitor, student or temporary worker, free of charge
• waiving temporary residence application fees for foreign nationals who fled Sudan with their Canadian family members
• prioritizing processing of temporary and permanent residence applications already in our system from people still in Sudan
• waiving the requirement to hold a passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa to come to Canada
• waiving passport and permanent resident travel document fees for citizens and permanent residents of Canada in Sudan who wish to leave

Associated links

• Conflict in Sudan – Temporary immigration measures and contact information
• News release – Canada to provide support to Sudanese nationals
• News release – Sudanese nationals can extend their stay in Canada
• News release – Canada waives fees for family members of Canadians who fled Sudan

Contacts

Contacts for media only:

Bahoz Dara Aziz

Press Secretary

Minister’s Office

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Bahoz.DaraAziz@cic.gc.ca

Media Relations

Communications Branch

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

613-952-1650

media@cic.gc.ca

View original: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/12/canada-to-launch-humanitarian-pathway-for-people-affected-by-the-conflict-in-sudan.html

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Sudan: Video on Kassala Youth Emergency Room

I am IN AWE of @Nas_shagala, just as I am in AWE of the subjects of their videos.

My God, what important work!

Watch this video centering the Kassala emergency response team.

My people are carrying each other, saving one another.https://t.co/4QefDlwu4j#KeepEyesOnSudan

— Munchkin (@BSonblast) December 27, 2023

Here's the video for those who cannot access the microblogging platform X: 

And here is a direct link to the video at YouTube: 

https://youtu.be/GoOIhcRFCIQ?feature=shared

A description of the video at YouTube says, in Arabic and English:

"Kassala Youth Emergency Room 

At a distance of 625 km from the war-torn Khartoum due to the conflict between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese Armed Forces, the film “Kassala Youth Emergency Room”, documents an initiative by people working in Kassala.

It shows a team of volunteers working for over 102,777 displaced people in Kassala State, noting that this number doubled after the outbreak of war in Wad Madani city on the eighteenth of December. Kassala state and locality are some of the most important destinations in eastern Sudan for survivors of the war in Khartoum, Darfur, and the Gezira.

The film follows the Emergency Room’s volunteers, showcasing their support for those affected by the April 15 war, from evacuation, welcoming and housing in shelters to providing material and psychological support to children throughout the past eight months.

“War is psychological destruction! For us, this is the priority to evacuate people!”

Waad Mahjoub Altahir, Member of the Communications and Public Relations Office Kassala youth emergency room."

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Sudan: Clashes between Nuba and Arab Bagara tribes in Al Hujairat village of Ar Rahad, North Kordofan

From DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts - Update One

Dated Thursday, 28 December 2023 - here is a full copy with map:

Inter-communal conflict in Ar Rahad (Al Hujairat Village), North Kordofan

On 22 December 2023, inter-communal clashes erupted between Nuba tribesmen and Arab Bagara tribesmen in Al Hujairat village of Ar Rahad locality, North Kordofan. The incident reportedly occurred following a dispute over livestock. Field teams reported that the majority of the Nuba residents in Al Hujairat village were displaced to Ad Dambaer village of the same locality, and have since returned. Field teams further reported that Arab Bagara were displaced to Um Rawaba town of Um Rawaba locality, North Kordofan and to other localities within South Kordofan. The situation remains tense and unpredictable. 

DTM is monitoring the situation closely and will provide further information on displacement and population mobility across Sudan, on a weekly basis, via its Weekly Displacement Snapshot. 

DTM Sudan's Early Warning Flash Alerts provide immediate updates on incidents and sudden displacement in Sudan. These Flash Alerts aim to notify humanitarian partners of sudden events where DTM's Emergency Event Tracking (EET) may subsequently take place.

Disclaimer: Due to the current circumstances, the DTM network is relying on remote interviews with key informants and further verification is not possible at this time.

Source: DTM https://dtm.iom.int/reports/dtm-sudan-weekly-displacement-snapshot-14

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Sudan Situation Overview OCHA 28 Dec 2023: Clashes in Wad Medani between SAF and RSF

From UN OCHA SUDAN

Flash Update No: 05

Dated Thursday, 28 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Clashes in Wad Medani between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and Rapid Support Forces (RSF)

SITUATION OVERVIEW

More than 250,000 – 300,000 people have fled Aj Jazirah State following the clashes between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) around Wad Madani, the capital of Aj Jazirah State, according to the International Organization for Migration’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM). Fighting broke out in the morning of 15 December between the SAF and the RSF in the outskirts of Wad Medani, 136 km southeast of the national capital Khartoum. On December 18, RSF reportedly entered Wad Medani town and by December 19 took control of the city.

There are reports of displaced people from Wad Medani and other parts of Aj Jazirah State arriving in Gedaref, Kassala, Red Sea, Sennar and White Nile states. Mobile network and internet connectivity challenges in parts of Aj Jazirah, White Nile and other adjacent areas are making it difficult for partners to collate information on the latest numbers of people displaced and their immediate needs. The number of displaced people by destination and hosting location will be available once the numbers are registered and verified.

Many IDPs reportedly arrived at the existing IDP gathering sites (collective centers) in and around Gedaref and Sennar. The majority sought shelter within the host communities, and local authorities and partners in Gedaref estimate that about 15,000 people have sought shelter with the host communities in Gedaref town, the capital of Gedaref State.

In Red Sea State, the Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) has reported that on 25 September an estimated 3,000 IDPs from Wad Medani arrived in Port Sudan, and another 980 on 26 December, with more IDPs expected in the coming days. The Red Sea State Committee on displacement and relief issues identified nine new sites at Al Souk al Shabi – mainly schools - to receive the newly displaced people. HAC reported an urgent need for shelter, food and non-food supplies for the newly arriving IDPs. Some of the new IDPs are living with host communities in the city.

Humanitarian response
Host communities in the localities receiving IDPs from Wad Medani are responding to meet the basic needs of the arriving IDPs. Site Management Cluster partners are closely coordinating with local authorities in Gedaref, where authorities have activated a daily emergency cell meeting to monitor the situation and ensure preparedness for increased arrivals to the town centre. Humanitarian partners in Gedaref have come forward with responses across WASH, Health, Protection and Food assistance to the IDPs once the relocation site is finalised and the IDPs start arriving on site. An inter-sectoral rapid needs assessment (ISRNA) is proposed in Gedaref among the communities displaced from Aj Jazirah. The local authorities are supporting the ISRNA, which would help the humanitarian actors to mobilise resources for the response. ISRNA will commence once the list of IDP gathering sites has been finalised by the authorities in Gedaref.

In Kassala, about 3,000 new IDPs from Aj Jazirah’s Medani Al Kubra locality, Hantoub administrative unit received high energy biscuits and Ready-to-use Supplementary Food (RUSF) for pregnant and lactating women and children from WFP as the initial food support for 4-5 days, with more comprehensive food and livelihoods assistance to come as the needs assessments are finalised and the numbers of the displaced people become available.

In Red Sea State, the Port Sudan Youth Initiative started providing ready meals with limited resources. The Red Sea Gathering Site Coordination Meeting on 27 December agreed to field an inter-agency assessment mission in the coming days to two IDP hosting locations in Port Sudan - Abdalla Nagi and Salalab Al Garbia.

In Sennar, HAC reported that about 1,770 displaced households arrived at various locations in Sennar and Sinja localities since the fighting started in Wad Medani. Humanitarian partners continue providing support to newly arrived IDPs from Aj Jazirah and also those from Khartoum.

The State Council for Child Welfare, in collaboration and with support from UNICEF, continues the registration of separated and unaccompanied children to provide services for them in all localities of Sennar State.

Child Development Foundation (CDF) and Save the Children (SCI) opened 10 child friendly spaces through the Council for Child Welfare in Sennar and Sinja localities with support from the Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SHF) and UNICEF. UNICEF, through the Council of Child Welfare, provided clothes and personal aids to children living with disabilities.

With support from UNICEF, the Council of Child Welfare activated 10 community-based protection networks (CBPNs) in Sennar and Sinja localities to provide protection services to children in need and refer cases for protection support. CDF established a CBPN targeting 60 people in the Suki locality. Also, the Council formulated a Women and Children Protection Network Group to trace and follow up on the issues of children's and mothers' protection.

Earlier this week, IMC provided medical supplies for two months to five primary healthcare centers (three in Suki and two in Sinja localities), in addition to the ongoing mobile clinic in Karkoug, Sinja locality, serving IDPs from Khartoum and Aj Jazirah. IMC provided more than 1,300 medical consultations to the IDPs. It has also provided nutrition services to the IDPs through outpatient therapeutic programs (OTP) at five primary healthcare centres (PHCs). IMC distributed hygiene cholera kits to 880 IDPs in three IDP gathering sides in the Sennar locality. IMC continues to support the State Ministry of Health (SMoH) Rapid Response Team (RRT) staffing and logistical support for the RRT.

CDF conducted training sessions on gender-based violence (GBV) and psychosocial support for 30 people in Sinja and Suki localities and GBV prevention awareness raising sessions for 30 people in the Sinja locality. It also established a community compliant feedback mechanism in Sennar locality.

Relief International (RI) will deploy shortly two mobile clinics to support IDPs from Aj Jazirah. A RI team from Blue Nile plans to visit Sennar state with one ambulance and medical supplies for the mobile clinics on 28 December.

In Blue Nile, HAC reported that about 500 IDPs arrived in Ed Damazine and more displaced people may arrive in the coming days. About 460 people are sheltering at two schools in Ed Damazine town - 243 people at Nahda school and 216 IDPs at Arkaweet school. Human Appeal and other organizations have provided some assistance to the displaced people, including food for IDPs at Nahda school. 

Background
After years of protracted crisis, Sudan plunged into a conflict of alarming scale when fighting between SAF and RSF broke out initially in Khartoum on April 15, and quickly expanded to other areas across the country. Khartoum has been the site of heavy fighting, while severe violent clashes and heavy bombardments have also been reported in the greater Darfur and Kordofan regions. The hostilities have resulted in extensive damage to critical infrastructure and facilities, including water and healthcare, the collapse of banking and financial services, frequent interruptions to electricity supply and telecommunication services and widespread looting. Since the conflict broke out, humanitarian needs have increased and almost 25 million people now require assistance in Sudan. More than 6.8 million people have been forced to leave their homes for safety elsewhere.

An estimated 5.9 million people live in Aj Jazirah State, Sudan’s breadbasket, with 700,000 living in Wad Medani. More than 270,000 people in the town need humanitarian assistance. Since April 15, 2023, nearly 500,000 people have fled to Al Jazirah State, 86,400 of whom are in Wad Medani. About 1.9 million people are in crisis (IPC 3) and have above-level food security in the state, with 179,000 in Medani between October 2023 and February 2024, according to the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). There is an ongoing cholera outbreak in Aj Jazirah and neighboring states. 57 humanitarian organizations work in the state, including 25 INGOs, 21 NNGOs and six UN agencies. So far this year humanitarian organizations have reached 730,000 people in Aj Jazirah with food assistance, WASH, health and other humanitarian interventions.

***

For more information, please contact: Alimbek Tashtankulov, Public Information Officer, OCHA Sudan, tashtankulov@un.org, Mob: +249 (0)912 160361

Download the Flash Update here

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IOM humanitarian cross-border convoy from Chad has arrived in West Darfur, Sudan carrying critical aid

GOOD news. Humanitarian cross-border convoy from Chad has arrived in West Darfur, Sudan carrying long awaited critical aid. Great job done by all.

IOM humanitarian cross-border convoy from #Chad has arrived in #WestDarfur carrying critical aid to reach over 46,000 ppl affected by conflict across Darfur, thanks to @Solidarites_Int & @USAIDSavesLives.

Needs are dire.Unimpeded access is needed to ensure we #LeaveNoOneBehind. pic.twitter.com/1zZwreWpEa

— IOM Sudan 🇺🇳 (@IOMSudan) December 28, 2023

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Sudan: Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms. Protection of journalists must be a priority.

THIS helps explain why so little hard news is coming out of Sudan: these two Dec 27 posts at X by Isma'il Kushkush @ikushkush@ of Reporters Without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontières) aka RWB or (unfortunately) RSF. 

One of the posts says: "Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 print newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly".

The other says: "Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms, the right to information is flouted & media professionals are trapped in the civil war that broke out 8 months ago. RSF reminds the parties to the conflict that the protection of journalists must be a priority".  Below is RWB's Dec 26 report.

"Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 pr.int newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly" https://t.co/E9gCe4o1BU

— Isma'il Kushkush (@ikushkush) December 27, 2023

#Sudan🇸🇩: Kidnappings, looting of newsrooms, the right to information is flouted & media professionals are trapped in the civil war that broke out 8 months ago. RSF reminds the parties to the conflict that the protection of journalists must be a priority. https://t.co/JPIAlJk5EG

— RSF in English (@RSF_en) December 27, 2023

Note, Reporters Without Borders (RWB; French: Reporters sans frontières; RSF) is an international non-profit and non-governmental organisation focused on safeguarding the right to freedom of information. -Wikipedia

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Report from and by Reporters Without Borders (RWB) at rsf.org

Dated Tuesday, 26 December 2023 - here is a copy in full:

Journalists still trapped in Sudan’s civil war

As Sudan’s journalists continue to be trapped in an eight-month-old civil war, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) reminds the two parties to the conflict, the regular army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, that they could be held criminally responsible if journalists are killed or injured, and that protecting media personnel must be a priority.

Recent media victims include Amar Dhaw, a reporter for the Sudan 24 TV channel and the Saqia Press website, who was attacked and beaten by a policeman in the eastern province of Al Qadarif, at the start of December, just for filming a police car for the report he was working on, according to information gathered by RSF.

During the same period, the paramilitaries kidnapped two journalists. Sudan News Agency reporter Mohamed Abderrahim was abducted outside his home in the capital, Khartoum, on 3 December, according to the information obtained by RSF, while Bahaeddine Abou Kassem, a journalist with the daily newspaper Akhbar Al Yawm, was also kidnapped in early December, his sister reported to his colleagues, as the Sudanese Journalists’ Union said. There has been no news of either since then.

Media outlets and journalists have been subjected to serious and repeated attacks since fighting first broke out on 15 April between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

“The parties to this war must be reminded that they could be held criminally responsible in the event of attacks on the physical integrity of journalists, who are protected by international law in conflict situations. Journalists must under no circumstances be targeted, or arrested or detained for doing their job. The perpetrators will be held accountable for their misdeeds.

Khaled Drareni

RSF’s North Africa representative

The persecution of media and journalists is surging as a result of the rivalry between regular army Gen. – and de facto leader – Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, who has his headquarters in Port Sudan and controls the territories east of the Nile, and Gen. Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, also known as “Hemetti,” the leader of the paramilitaries, who is based in Khartoum and controls several major cities in Darfur and the west of the country.

“Even crossing the street and just going out then returning to the newspaper has become an obstacle course,” Amr Chabane, the editor of the Khartoum-based newspaper Al Sudani told RSF. “We’re located in a dangerous area that has seen many clashes and shoot-outs.” 

Looted media 

The headquarters of Sudan’s General Authority for Radio and Television, which is located in the Khartoum suburb of Omdurman, was turned into a detention centre a few weeks ago, the Sudanese Journalists’ Union says, condemning “this irresponsible behaviour which exposes the country’s history heritage to destruction and disappearance.”

The union also reports that equipment is being looted from public radio and TV stations and is being sold on the city’s sidewalks. The Blue Nile TV channel has suffered the same fate. All of its equipment has been stolen and placed on sale in Omdurman’s Libya market.

Three other prominent media outlets, the Sudan 24 and Al Balad TV channels and the BBC’s Khartoum bureau, have also been vandalised and looted, according to the Sudanese Journalists’ Union, which called on all regional and international press freedom organisations to denounce what is happening, and work to stop it.

Journalists in Sudan report that, in the past eight months, 26 print newspapers have stopped publishing and ten national radio stations have stopped broadcasting. Seven local radio stations have also closed and only two are still broadcasting, albeit but randomly.

View original: https://rsf.org/en/journalists-still-trapped-sudan-s-civil-war

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