Operations

2016 Plan Summary

Sudan continues to present a complex operating environment for international humanitarian actors. Humanitarian assistance and protection frequently do not reach people in need in an effective and timely manner. Ongoing deterioration of the economic situation will further affect the already vulnerable refugee population, whose formal access to employment and social services remains limited. This, in turn, may lead to situations of exploitation, including risks of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and exposure to trafficking.
 
The situation in the region remains unpredictable and it is likely that the continuous influx of refugees into Sudan will persist, with many refugees, mainly Eritreans, making their way onwards beyond Sudan’s borders. South Sudanese refugees may also continue to flee to Sudan, in the event the recently signed agreement in Addis Ababa falters. 
 
Owing to challenges in reaching a long-term political resolution to the Darfur conflict, it is expected that pockets of fighting and new displacement will continue in parts of Darfur in 2016-2017. However other areas should remain stable, with opportunities for return of refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs). The sustainability of returns will depend on security and availability of basic services, including well-planned government initiatives, complemented by humanitarian interventions. The eventual withdrawal of the African Union United Nations Mission in Darfur (UNAMID) will have a negative impact on the ability of humanitarian agencies to deliver assistance.
 
The Government of Sudan and host communities provide land for establishment of refugee camps. Refugees are granted access to host community schools, health services and other community resources. The joint ongoing registration project will accord all registered South Sudanese the right to services similar to those available to Sudanese nationals. In the east, the Government has allocated sites for the establishment of reception centres for new arrivals. The same level of the Government hospitality for refugees is expected to continue in 2016.
 
 Prevention of refoulement and arbitrary arrest and detention will be priority objectives for UNHCR in 2016. Promotion of a dialogue between Ethiopia and Sudan will be at the heart of these efforts, as will enhance detention monitoring and capacity building for law enforcement officials. This will be complemented by the resumption of refugee status determination (RSD) in selected urban centres, and the countrywide introduction of harmonized and free-of-charge refugee identity cards.
 
Efforts to assure the physical security of refugees and prevention of violence and exploitation, particularly in light of the ongoing kidnapping and trafficking phenomenon, will be sustained through the implementation of the UNHCR and Government of Sudan Trafficking Strategy. In Darfur, additional capacity building will be provided to law enforcement officials and communities to ensure protection from violence in refugee camps. Community outreach, SGBV prevention and response, and child protection will be prioritized countrywide.
 
Strengthening self-reliance and providing alternatives to onward movements will be key in reducing vulnerabilities associated with clandestine movements to and from Sudan and further afield. Self-reliance programmes in refugee camps will continue, and priority will be given to addressing serious protection gaps, including in child protection, education, SGBV and livelihoods. Simultaneously, legal alternatives to movement out of the country will be promoted by enhancing resettlement, along with other schemes such as private sponsorship programmes and family tracing and reunification. For the long-standing refugee populations in Eastern Sudan and in Darfur, UNHCR will develop a strategic plan to achieve self-reliance for refugees and support host communities while pursuing, where relevant, voluntary repatriation.
 
For South Sudanese refugees, UNHCR is pursuing a three-pronged strategy aimed at strengthening protection and assistance in camps, as well as for host communities, and supporting durable solutions. This includes increasing access of refugees to basic services, strengthening registration and documentation, responding to the specific needs of women and children through dedicated child protection and livelihood programmes, as well as promoting community mobilization to enhance peaceful coexistence. Capacity building for partners in all areas of interventions will be key to successful implementation of activities. UNHCR will continue to address the risk of statelessness by supporting legal aid and procedures for confirming nationality and documentation for South Sudanese at risk of statelessness.
 
UNHCR has comprehensively reviewed its IDP engagement strategy in Sudan and realigned priorities as follows: i) enhance emergency response to new displacement (protection and emergency supplies/non food items), through the rapid deployment of protection teams to identify people with specific needs; provide essential psychosocial support; and refer urgent cases to relevant services (in all IDP areas); ii) address acute protection needs in selected IDP camps by identifying extremely vulnerable people, and providing relevant assistance or support to access relevant services (Darfur only); iii) support community-based structures and initiatives to promote protection and coexistence in areas of return or local integration and ensure the monitoring of protection conditions in areas of displacement and return. In addition, UNHCR will continue to assure the coordination of the Protection Sector, with priority given to strengthening its engagement with the authorities.
 
UNHCR is prioritizing basic life-saving assistance and core protection activities. Limited funding results in unmet needs with serious consequences for people of concern, including exposure to protection risks like detention and refoulement owing to the lack of funds for resumption of RSD. The scaling-down of livelihood activities is likely to have serious socio-economic consequences for refugees. Less funds to support education for urban refugees will mean that fewer children can go to school. In the east, activities for anti-trafficking and assistance to new arrivals depend heavily on additional funding and, if not supported, may lead to reversals of the successes achieved over the years. Latrine coverage is at 28 per cent, with a shortfall of 12,800 household latrines. Should funds be limited, the construction of an additional 2,000 shelters and renovation of 500 tukuls will have to be deprioritized, as will be the construction of additional classrooms for lower primary grades. Lastly, full implementation of the revised engagement strategy in Darfur envisaging support for 30,000 persons with specific needs, and implementation of 12 peaceful co-existence projects will not be possible given the resource constraints.