Selected news from Sudan Assistance Bulletin issue no.15

Office of the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Sudan
1 December 2003

Nuba Mountains

UNDP and FAO have signed a Letter of Agreement for a cross-line agriculture and livestock revitalization project, funded by the UNDP and implemented by the FAO. The project falls under UNDP's Livelihoods Rehabilitation and Gender Equality Programme in the Nuba Mountains. It is budgeted at US$ 360,000 and implementation will last one year.

The Livelihoods Rehabilitation and Gender Equality Programme in the Nuba Mountains held several meetings in Kauda with SPLM and GOS institutions (NRRDO, SRRC, NMIAD, Dept. of Roads & Bridges/Min. of Public Works) to enhance cross-line project implementation cooperation. It is expected that cross-line exchanges and project implementation to continue rising in the coming months (cross-line procurement and delivery continues at a steady pace).

NMPACT Update: On the 12th of November, NMPACT Programme Coordinator (PC) has accompanied the Friends of the Nuba Mountains for a one-day mission to the Nuba Mountains6. During the meeting in Tillo (JMC HQ), NMPACT PC has briefed the Friends of Nuba Mountains delegation on the humanitarian situation in the Nuba and the status of NMPACT. The rest of the day included a visit to the JMC camp in Mirri Hills and a very constructive meeting with Commander Abdul Aziz, Governor of Nuba-SPLM, in Kauda on assistance concerns.

FAO is currently undertaking an animal traction programme in Seraf Jamos in collaboration with NRRDO. WHO conducted two rounds of sub-national immunization days for polio in Nuba Mountains this fall targeting children under five. The results are currently being compiled.

Survey

FAO has recently carried out a mission to the Nuba Mountains (Dilling, Kadugli and Kauda) to plan for a regional livestock coordination meeting to be held in Kadugli and Kauda in January 2004. The mission also conducted a rapid assessment of the livestock situation in Kauda, and a mission report will be out shortly.