Commander's assessment

1. Assessment.
JMC Operations are now at normal and sustainable level, however still strained by the road conditions in the AOR. Nuba Mountains are still to be considered to be without any major tensions or concerns between the parties.

2. Concerns.
The Mission’s greatest concern still remains with the current budgetary situation. There have been clear indications from donor countries that funding will be available for the mission, however, only some of the outstanding funds have yet been made available.

1. Operation BORAM BADGER initial phase ended on 16 September. Some progress between the parties can be noticed and the findings will be brought forward to both GoS and SPLM/A authorities in next phase, in a further attempt to break the deadlock along the Frandella /Al Reika Road.
   
2. Regarding JMC right to inspect 15TH Div, JMC still have not received a formal letter of GoS interpretation of the CFA on this matter from Commander Central Command.
   
3. The Mission has noted an increase of the SPLA troop movements and other preparations for the upcoming formation of the Joint integrated Units (JIU).

3. Intentions.
In addition to resolving the specific concerns above:

1. Continue to monitor the SPLA JIU selections and troop movements.
   
2. Conduct a meeting with, and a visit of the new GoS Wali Markzos Kuku, in order to familiarize him with JMC Mission and discuss, amongst other things, the situation along the Frandella /Al Reika Road.
   
3. Conduct planned visits and continue operations and training in the process.

4. Mines and Mine Clearing.

1. Land Mine Action (LMA). Operations continued on Katcha AP minefield; cleared 209 sqm (no mines), despite difficult terrain and many deminers with malaria. Second team continued work on Krongo AP minefield; cleared 146 sqm (no mines), with malaria seriously affecting operations. UNMAS conducted QA visit to Katcha and a site visit to Krongo.
   
2. Danish Church Aid (DCA). JASMAR 1 cleared 371 sqm and JASMAR 2 cleared 50 sqm, both in village of Sama, no mines found. OSIL 1 cleared 264 sqm and OSIL 2 cleared 374 sqm on Umm Serdiba Road task. Conducted QA visit to JASMAR 2.
   
3. RONCO Consulting Corporation (JMM team). Waiting for RONCO to complete WFP task in Rumbek (estimate end Sep) and potential visit by Dept of State to Nuba region early Oct timeframe.
   
4. Fondation Suisse de Déminage. FSD have commenced operations in Western Jebels and are commencing selection process to expand both teams by 2 deminers and a driver. Also, will select medics and re-train using International Medical Coordinator.
5. Additional Mine Activities.
   1. The two SLIRI impact survey teams have attempted to reach remaining mine affected villages, but rains impede access to these areas. Teams stood down until 24 Sep.
   2. Dog boxes prepared for accreditation – vegetation removed and items inventoried.
   3. Rickard Hartmann’s temporary replacement arrived – Mats Rullander (SRSA) until mid Dec.
   4. UNMAS hosted visit by NMAO Fin/Admin/Log to improve levels of support.
   5. Discussions continue with UNMAS building options – decision expected from UN NY.
   
6. MRE Activities.
   1. DCA: OSIL and JASMAR MRE teams commenced operations.
   2. SC (US): SC (US) conducted MRE in Katcha on 15 Sep 04.
   
7. UNMAS MRE:
   Hosted MRE Coordination meeting 14 Sep.
   Confirmed MRE Workshop arrangements at IFAD 6-11 Oct.
   

5. CIMIC

1. Annual Needs Assessment In cooperation with HAC as focal point (and for the SPLM administered areas SRRC), international agencies (including JMC) and NGOs, WFP will conduct its Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) from 28 September to 21 October in the Nuba Mountains. The main questions (outlined in WFP’s “Annual Needs Assessment (ANA) Strategy Paper 2004”) addressed by the ANA include: what are the main causes of food insecurity; where and how many people are affected; how long and how much assistance is needed and “what modality of assistance is best suited to mitigate the food security crisis”.
   Answers to these questions should result in the identification of food gaps, which vulnerable groups require assistance in 2005 and what non-food needs are required to strengthen the food security situation of those groups, such as access to water, agricultural inputs, veterinary medicine, health, education and the like.
   The main methodology to do so is the Household Economy Analysis (HEA) that is based upon the assumption that if we know how much food an average household in a specific location normally consumes over a certain time period and how that food is accessed by the household’s various income and non-income sources, then a baseline picture of its food economy can be developed. There are three categories of households in terms of food security: the better off, average and the worse-off. The results of HEA indicate whether or not a given population is food insecure and currently in need of assistance.
   The assessments will focus on two types of locations: Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) areas that are often referred to as war-zones and transitional zones “such as the Nuba Mountains region” (the SPLM administered areas); and the drought prone largely agricultural regions of Northern Sudan, excluding the Darfur region since a multi-agency food security nutrition assessment is currently on-going in the area. The selected sites will include areas that are currently highly food insecure or that have a high probability of being food insecure during 2004-05. Locations with high malnutrition rates and those hosting significant numbers of war and drought affected IDPs will also be selected. Two meetings were held this week to select villages in the six GoS administered localities Kadugli, Lagawa, Talodi, Abu Jubaiyah, Rashad and Dileng. The regional assessment team workshop will take place from 26 – 27 September in El Obeid.
   The past few years have seen an improvement of existing conditions though households in the Nuba Mountains have not yet become fully self sufficient. In 2004 they required food aid for only three months, in 2003 for only four months, compared to eight to twelve months of food needs during 2002.
   
2. HAC/NMPACT Meeting The monthly Inter-Agency Coordination meeting will be held in Kadugli Wednesday 6 October 13.00hrs in the HAC Office.

H M Granlund
Chief Operations Officer
For Head of Mission