Resident Coordinator's Office

Joint Weekly Report
Sudan
29 April - 5 May 2007

Southern Kordofan

Recovery and Development
The Ministry of Economy and Investment (MoEI) launched the Monthly Coordination Meeting (MCM) together with the Resident Coordinator’s Office (RCO) on 29 April.  The three-day meeting included the Agriculture, Education, Health, Protection and Water Sector meetings, and concluded with an Interagency Meeting.  The objectives of incorporating all of the sector meetings into a consolidated meeting forum are: 1) To provide a streamlined forum to facilitate coordination and medium-term planning of recovery activities in the state; and 2) to support the state government to assume responsibility for leading recovery efforts in the state, under the direction of the Director General/MoEI, which houses the department of planning.

Each sector meeting was successfully led by the Director General of the relevant line ministry. 

At the Interagency Meeting, chaired by the DG/MoEI and the RCO, the DG/MoEI reported that the State Five Year Strategy was under revision.  However, he recognized that donors had demonstrated a commitment to the objectives in the draft strategy, which reflect the priorities of the state.  Furthermore, the DG noted that the UN and Partners’ Work Plan 2007 reflected the state’s priorities; however, he stressed the importance of ensuring a joint planning process for the 2008 Work Plan to ensure that it was harmonized with the re-drafted State Five Year Strategic Plan.  The DG also highlighted the need to ensure that adequate resources and support were provided to build the capacity of state institutions so that the plans could be effectively implemented by the state.

Furthermore, the DG/MoIE noted that the Five Year Strategic Plan was being revised according to macro task forces which would address sector planning issues.  He stressed the importance of the MCM sector meetings as they will provide critical input for the Strategic Plan; he noted that sector leads must ensure that the content and outcomes of the sector meetings are incorporated into the State Five Year Strategy.  Additionally, the DG/MoIE reassured some participants that the needs of the western areas of Southern Kordofan would be taken into account in the revised State Five Year Strategy.

At the meeting UNDP presented a socioeconomic risk mapping tool which could facilitate state-wide planning.  Data for three localities had been inserted into the maps while the final localities (Talodi, Al Salam, Kylak, Rashad and Abu Jubaiyah) were currently being finalized.  It was noted that Abyei Town and Miraim were being mapped separately. 

The RCO presented and distributed an updated NGO Booklet, including the contact information, projects, and geographic coverage of each organization.  The RCO also introduced an NGO database which includes the information captured in the Booklet as well as other relevant information on the implementation of projects in SK.  The various database fields included the agency name, contact information, project sectors, project details, geographic coverage, timing of project implementation and project funding, among others. 

The Commissioner for HAC/SRRC noted that there had been some confusion among implementing partners regarding the agreements they were required to sign with the relevant authorities.  He clarified that a technical agreement, available in the HAC/SRRC office must be signed and that agreements must be signed with all relevant line ministries to ensure that all activities are approved within the state.  He also encouraged all implementing partners to be transparent regarding their project funding and urged them to share that information for inclusion in the NGO Database so that the state can have a complete picture of all development/recovery resources, including those from international donors.

Humanitarian

1. UNMAO reported that most mine fields in SK are within or close to villages.  In 2007, 940kms had been assessed between SK and other states; 850 kms had been assessed within the state.  Six teams from FSD and one military de-mining contingent are reportedly currently engaged in de-mining; they are focusing on the following villages: Bilynga, Kateh, Borm, Fama, At Ters, Ar Reika, Shat Shafaya and Koya.  Furthermore, UNMAO has focused on mine risk education (MRE) and has targeted 33,000 beneficiaries and 210 teachers.  Ninety-six health workers from the SMoH were also trained on UXO/mine victim information data collection. 

1. IOM reported that between 3 and 26 April, every day at least one convoy was received or dispatched in Kadugli.  During the period, a total of 43 convoys had passed through SK, including 13,543 returnees.  Of the total convoys, 13 terminated in SK, eight in Unity State, 15 in Northern Bahr El Gazal, 3 in Warab State, 3 in Western Bahr El Gazal and two in Lakes.  Less than 3,000 IDPs had been returned to SK, with an average of 220 returnees per convoy. 

IOM noted that the current constraints to increased numbers of returns to the state included inadequate reception committees in the final destinations.  Furthermore, IOM noted that they are taking the early rains into consideration and speculated that returns to SK and Unity will continue in May but that most likely returns to other Southern States would be discontinued in the near future. 

Key forthcoming Events/Meetings/Missions

1. 13 May: UNST
2. 13 May: UN Security Management Team
3. 13 May: NGO security management Team
4. 27-29 May: Monthly Coordination Meeting

The Nuba Mountains Homepage was made by Nanne op 't Ende.
You can contact me here.