INTER-AGENCY ASSESSMENT REPORT OF THE LRA AFFECTED POPULATIONS

Magwe County, State

19 - 22 September 2006 Emergency Preparedness and Response (EP&R) Unit, OCHA

Background: The Lord Resistance Army (LRA) activities have destabilised the security situation of the area and severely affected the livelihood of the ordinary residents in Magwe county and other southern areas bordering with . Over the past 15 years when the LRA was active in Magwe County, the populations have been living in fear of attacks, properties and assets were looted and or destroyed. Repeated LRA incursions have caused recurrent displacement of ordinary civilians.

High level peace talks among the LRA, the Government of Uganda and the GoSS over the past few months have resulted in signing of the “Cessation of Hostility” peace truce and paved the way for further discussions towards bringing a permanent solution to the problem. During the first week of September 2006, Dr. Riek Machar Teny, Vice President of with other senior GoSS officials visited a number of locations in the county including Owiny-Ki-Bol (assembly area), Magwe, Pajok (Parajok) and Pogee (along the Sudan Uganda border) to sensitize communities on the progress of the LRA peace talks. As agreed in the Cessation of Hostilities document the LRA soldiers and the associated population will be gathered and encamped in Southern Sudan (Eastern Equatoria, Magwe County – Owiny-ki-Bol and in Nabanga of Western Equatoria) for the duration of the peace talks which is ongoing in .

Due to past insecurity, the population in Magwe County has been neglected both in terms of humanitarian as well as development assistance. The local population and the IDPs living in the area (due to LRA attacks) have had limited access to farming activities. Essential services i.e. health, education, water supplies, road communications etc were barely functioning or have been totally disrupted. An initial assessment was carried out form the 9 to the 11 of September in order to get an overview of the humanitarian situation in the county. The team recommended a more detailed assessment and in-depth coverage of locations and major humanitarian sectors. Therefore on the 19 to the 22 of September 2006, an Inter-Agency Assessment Mission visited most of the affected locations of the county. The mission - coordinated by OCHA and composed of IOM, UNICEF, WFP, UNMIS, DOT, UNHCR, Merlin, ARC, NCA, CRS, and Sudanese authorities - assessed the potential needs of the assembly area designated for the LRA combatant and their dependant family members.

Relative peace over the past three months encouraged more Sudanese refugees in Northern Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and IDPs within the county and neighbouring areas to return to their places of origin in Sudan. Nimule, being the primary corridor for northern Ugandan refugees to return to Sudan, the team also assess the potential needs of the returning populations.

Major concerns: Frequent and violent LRA attacks on civilian population had caused serious insecurity throughout the county forcing people to flee their homes to neighbouring bomas, counties, states and across the border into Uganda and DRC. Insecurity situation prevailed and the livelihood of the population was severely disrupted.

Area Covered The inter-agency mission was split into two teams; one team went to Magwe and the other team to Nimule. The Nimule team visited: Nimule, two returnee/refugee exit and entry points along the Sudan –Uganda border, Nimule Centre, Pageri Centre, Arapi, Mole, Law, Mugali-II, and Masindi. The Magwe team covered: Magwe centre, Obbo, Owiny-ki-bol, Parajok, Pugge, Palataka locations.

Key Findings

Protection:

______2 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. Until the commencement of the peace talks, the LRA activities were the major cause of insecurity and disruption of daily livelihood activities of the population. There are mixed feelings of optimism that there will be agreement between all parties involved and will have a permanent solution to the insecurity problem.

There are two distinct groups of IDPs in and around Nimule, a) People displaced within the county moving from one boma to the next. It is likely that with the prevailing calm security situation these IDPs would be able to return to their respective places and re-start their livelihood with some basic assistance and services. b) The group of Bor IDPs require a concerted effort of all concerned, GoSS, UN, NGOs and local leadership in order to avoid a simmering violence that would lead to detrimental consequences. A possible solution could be to move these IDPs to their places of origin. Nonetheless the process of their repatriation requires a comprehensive joint plan and its careful implementation. c) Local Authorities claim that up to 11,000 refugees have spontaneously returned from the refugee camps in northern Uganda over the past 18 months. NGOs, Local Authorities and local residents believe that if the peace talks with the LRA are successful and if the IDPs who are occupying the land of the refugees are returned to their places of origin, up to 20,000 refugees in Northern Uganda will return to Nimule and the environs.

Nimule has been hosting a large number of IDPs and returnees due to its strategic location at the Sudan – Uganda border with good access road. IDPs, those who are currently staying in Magwe County are occupying land that belongs to the returnees who are expected during the dry season. Returnees would like to have possession of their ancestral home and land which may lead to ethnic tensions. NCA is running a way station/transit camp with minimum capacity and staff to record the returnees from northern Uganda. Increasing number of returnees is expected and accordingly more space and facilities would be required at the NCA premise. The recording of returnees needs to be systemized with the involvement of key parties i.e. UNHCR and implementing partners, local administration on both sides of the border.

In a number of locations people have been uprooted several times and have experienced violent LRA incursion. For instance, the population of the entire Mugali-I village is displaced in Nimule town, all residents of Moli village are displaced again in Nimule. Many people are optimistic that the ongoing dialogues will put an end to the LRA problem, however people along the bordering villages with Uganda are sceptical on the LRA peace talks and have serious security concerns. There are also cases of trauma from the LRA attacks. Male family members were escorting women for fetching fire woods or water, due to fear of torture and abduction by the LRA. Domestic violence was reported in a number of places. Guns in possession of community members can be a threat to the security while the law enforcing apparatus has limited capacity or doe not exist.

Food Aid and Food Security: In Magwe County, agriculture is the main livelihood of the population with vast arable land and good rainfall (9 months of rains in a year). The county has two agricultural seasons (March – June and July to November) with different crop varieties. There is a short dry spell in January/February. The main crops are maize, sorghum (single harvest), groundnuts, cassava and sweet potatoes. Due to poor harvest during the last season and continued displacement caused by the LRA, people were unable to plant sufficiently to cover their food need until the next harvest. Some of those who have planted crops were unable to harvest due to insecurity, farmers have either abandoned the crop or LRA fighters have destroyed the immature crops. For security, people begun to live in congested areas and were unable to access farming land. Years of insecurity and frequent displacement contributed largely to people’s reluctance to farming. To address the food shortage, from March 2006, CRS begun distributing basic food among 49,964 IDPs, returnees (including refuge returnees) and the local population at a 50% ______3 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. ration scale in Nimule, Mugali and Pageri payams. Magwe centre and its environs to the east of the county Parajok and Lobone payams were not covered. CRS food basket comprised of sorghum, lentils and oil. CRS and the SSRRC county officials continue monitoring the return situation and are jointly verifying the beneficiary numbers to include new returnees.

LRA has taken away livestock and poultry, a vital source of protein supplement in the family diet. The local coping mechanism includes eating wild yams, wild fruits and leaves. Due to reasonable demand some people were engaged in charcoal burning to earn their subsistence. During the past two-three months, people have begun farming activities but there is shortage of hand tools, seeds, ox ploughs and oxen. There are no extension workers or agricultural officer in the entire county.

Nimule is one of the main trade route between South Sudan and Uganda. The market and activities of these transit goods create employment and significantly contribute to the local economy (trade, salary and casual labour). In March 2006, AAH provided limited quantities of seeds to farmers.

In Owinyky-bul (the LRA assembly area), food assistance was brought by the GoSS however there was no clear instruction on the criteria of food distribution. Food has been consumed by the LRA fighters, SPLA Soldiers and some people who were clearing the airstrip. There is no assurance of the continuation of assistance in Owiny-ki-bul, therefore neighbouring communities fear that when food supplies exhaust, the LRA will revert to looting. An abandoned school has been used as storage for GoSS provided food and other items in the assembly area. Few families who have recently returned to the village got seeds and tools from ECS/AAH. There is certain degree of expectation raised among the local communities in Owinki-Bol area by the frequent and repeated visits by various dignitaries, organizations including GoSS, UN and NGOs.

Palotaka residents have received food assistance from CRS during 2000-2003 and also during the past two years. CRS has been supporting ECS for the distribution of seeds. DOT also provided seeds and tools among the returnees and local residents. During the 1980s, Parajok was a food surplus area, used to grow maize, sorghum, groundnuts, cassava, sweet potato, simsim, millet, beans, and pigeon peas. DOT and ECS have assisted farmers in Parajok with seeds and tools. In addition, ECS provided 6 bulls for ox ploughs, two Friesian milking cows, while DOT provided hoes, slashes, axes, and pangas.

Health and Nutrition: Merlin operates a 170 beds Hospital in Nimule, the only hospital in the corridor which serves a daily average of 80-120 inpatients and 200-250 outpatients. The hospital also receives referral cases from other neighbouring payams, and counties (Juba). The hospital has a fully functional laboratory. Of the 127 staff there are 87 medical staff, others are support staff and health workers. Merlin also runs a Therapeutic Feeding Centre (TFC) at the Nimule hospital. Malaria and sleeping sickness are two most common diseases in the area followed by diarrhoea, respiratory tract infection and skin diseases. IDPs and visiting refugees from northerb Uganda are requesting Merlin for screening of sleeping sickness before returning to Sudan.

In May and August, there were two outbreaks of AWD/Cholera in Nimule and Mugali payem where several deaths were reported. With the help of Merlin and other organizations the outbreak was contained.

AAH supports eight PHCUs in Magwe County, mostly run by community health workers. Respiratory track infection, malaria, intestine worms and dysentery are common diseases. Magwe centre hospital has 19 beds with a clinical officer, 6 trained nurses and 12 support staff. The hospital is barely functioning with little or no drugs. Poor immunization coverage, and some places were left without immunization. Malnutrition screening was not done for sometime, ______4 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. therefore, the actual status of malnutrition is unknown. ECS has cold chain facilities and trained community health workers. The organization is planning to start nutrition surveillance.

In Owinki-bol, there is no health structure, although AAH has planned to establish a PHCU. Reportedly, three community health workers are dispensing some medicines received recently from the county authorities. In Palataka, the only PHCU is run by a nurse. Two TBAs (Traditional Birth Attendants) and 10 community workers are supporting the community health awareness and immunization. The PHCU roof is leaking, there is no storage and the room is very small (4x3m).

In Parajok/Pajok, two PHCUs with one clinical officer and four community health workers are inadequate to meet the large demand. DOT and ECS support one PHCU each. Both are just tukuls, no structure, nor storage facility. Like many other health facilities, medicine supply is irregular and the quantity is also inadequate. The health facilities lack trained health personnel to deliver the services and also maintain and clinical officers and trained nurses and midwifes; reporting systems and good maternal health services. People come to Parajok or Uganda for healthcare.

Common diseases: malaria, river blindness, TB, STDs. Referral is difficult due to distance, poor road condition and no transport available. Supplied drugs at the PHCUs/Cs are inadequate, and the frequency of drugs delivery is also very irregular. A number of NGOs are providing drugs and medical supplies to PHCUs/Cs.

CRS conducted a nutritional survey in 2005 in Pageri and Mugali payams and based on the results CRS commenced supplementary feeding centres (SFC). In Mugali payam there is now 2 SFC with 49 malnourished children and in Pageri payam SFC 25 malnourish children are being treated. Merlin receives referral cases of severe malnutrition at the Nimule Hospital. The EPI campaign throughout the county has erratic coverage. Town centres where having fair coverage while remote villages were insecure (LRA activities) and logistically difficult to reach. Facilities in the following payams: Nimule payam: 1 PHCC (DOT); 3 PHCC (ARC) and the Nimule Hospital (1 Merlin) Pageri payam: 4 PHCC (3 run by Merlin and 1 by DOT) Mugale: 1 PHCC; 3 PHCU (ARC)

Water and Sanitation: In Nimule, Pageri and Mugali payams, there are 54 boreholes mostly functioning. The number of boreholes is inadequate. People tend to rely on the river Nile and Aswa as other reliable water sources. The number of non-functioning boreholes is unknown in the county. According to the Nimule payam department of water, some of these non-functioning boreholes could not be rehabilitated due to lack of spare parts and some would require total replacement. The frequency of breakdown is high due to overuse especially in the crowded town, i.e. Nimule. The county water department was requested to make a list of non-functioning boreholes available and share it with organizations for possible repair. ARC supports the sector through training of technicians, assisting the formation of water committees and monitoring the water situation through collection of WES data from communities. ARC also providing limited quantities of spare parts.

Recently, CRS conducted a quality survey (hired WES Consultant) and indicated that most boreholes (reportedly 99%) in Nimule and neighbouring areas are contaminated with poisonous chemical Arsenic (dangerous substance for human consumption). UNICEF has agreed to make further follow up on the findings and contamination.

The only functioning borehole in Pugge is insufficient for a population of over 400 persons. During the first two months of the year, water point dries up and some people have to walk long distance to fetch water. CRS and ARC undertook geological surveys and identified two ______5 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. locations for drilling, which may begin soon depending on the availability of drilling rigs. CRS drilled 15 new boreholes in Magwe Payam, provided training on water and sanitation and borehole maintenance. These boreholes do not cover all seven bomas, people relying on the seasonal river. In Offipriha there are no boreholes and people are using the stream and stagnant water throughout the year. The only borehole in Owinky-bol centre is not functioning, villagers relies on the permanent stream. CRS and ARC were planning to drill 7 boreholes in the village. None of the boreholes are functioning in Palatal area, villagers use seasonal streams that dries up in Jan/Feb. Of the 12 boreholes in Parajok boma, only one is functioning. In addition, CRS drilled two boreholes, which will not be sufficient when returnees arrive.

Communities visited especially in rural areas lacks adequate sanitation practices. Of the 10 HH visited in both Mugali and Masindi villages, none had pit latrine. Most people use open air defecation. Two NGOs, ARC and CRS have Watsan and hygiene projects which are still inadequate to cover wide areas. With the poor hygiene level and congested living conditions, Mugali County remains at high risk of further outbreak of AWD/cholera. Several of these communities have expressed interest in building latrines but need support for the provision of slabs.

Shelter and NFIs: Based on the villagers’ request, the initial assessment team had recommended provision of NFIs particularly for the clearing of an airstrip near the assembly area in Owiny-ki-bol and the access road. Accordingly UNICEF provided some plastic sheets for shelter and OCHA provided 40 pieces of assorted tools. The IDPs and returnees are accommodated in small tukuls in a very congested space. The accommodation situation in Nimule is worse; multiple families are seen living in small tukuls. Similar situation has also been reported in Magwe town centre. Locally available grass and poles are used for building tukuls but are not available yet. Returnees have to wait until Nov-Dec, the dry months of the year when grasses are ready to use.

The LRA fighters had not only looted the properties but also damaged or destroyed the essential household items. Families victim of the LRA attack were unable to replenish those lost items but instead share cooking pots, water jerry can, etc with neighbours. Need for NFIs was repeatedly mentioned in many locations with specific mentioning of bed, blankets, mosquito nets, cooking utensils, water containers and soap.

Education: There are 17 primary schools in 3 Payams of Nimule, Mugali and Pageri with 7,363 students enrolled and 280 teachers. Out of 17 schools, only 10 are functioning (8 in Nimule, 1 in Pageri and 1 in Mugali) the other 7 are closed as children continue to move from place to place due to insecurity caused by LRA incursions. Pupils of the closed schools are either enrolled in Nimule or have migrated to Uganda for safety and better schooling facilities. There is a large number of school-age children in Nimule who are not enrolled because of lack of learning space, learning materials and lack of teachers. In general, the basic schools in Nimule corridor are in dilapidated state.

There are 3 Secondary schools in Nimule, two are working while the third one is closed due to insecurity problem. A Regional Teacher’s Training Institute, in Arapi (Pageri Payam) is fully funded by NCA. All schools in Magwe County uses Ugandan curriculum, often forcing parents to send their children to go to Uganda for high schools or further studies. With the exception of two schools in Nimule town, all classrooms are built of grass thatched structures with lower classes under the trees. The community contribution is significant in terms of the management and supporting the school. Operational NGOs, namely CRS, NCA, DOT, AAH, and JRS, are providing limited support and assistance in the functioning of these schools. CRS is planning to construct a few more schools in the county. JRS provide incentives to volunteer teachers, while NCA provide scholastic materials. CRS is supporting the school feeding programme in all ______6 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. functioning schools in Nimule, Mugali and Pageri payams. The other three payams of the county are not covered by CRS or its partner for school feeding programme.

The three key reasons for low enrolment or children not attending schools are a) Insecurity prevailing in the area, b) Shortage of learning space and materials, c) Some wealthier parents prefer that their children attend schools with better facilities in the refugee settlements in northern Uganda and d) higher rates of dropouts among girls student.

There are only primary schools. Students who wish to pursue further education either go to Uganda or to Parajok. There are eight teachers of whom only the head teacher is trained for 300 pupils in the school. AAH is supporting eight schools in Magwe with learning materials. ECS is providing school equipment and is discussing with CRS for possible introduction of school feeding programme. Palataka boma has four primary schools with only one offering up to grade 7 lessons. There are 450 children in Palotaka school, of which 144 are girls. The number of girl students are very few at higher classes i.e. there are only three girls in grade 7. In Parajok village school out of 16 teachers only two are trained for 373 children (170 girls and 203 boys). The school lacks teaching materials.

Security and Mines: The security Situation remained calm over the last months. The last LRA attack was recorded in may 2006. There are reports of isolated attacks in July and August in the county. People used to live in fear, moved their houses along the main road for security reasons, however, there is growing confidence that peace will prevail and they will return back to their respective places of origin. NGOs operating in the area had also seen improvement in their mobility. Freedom of movement has

The road from Parajok to Pugee is reportedly mined, shells and UXOs are visible along the road. Villagers identified Lawachi and pugge as mined areas. Over the years, rains and other land activities, planted mines are suspected to have moved away from their original places. Mine assessment is necessary and should be given priority. There are landmines along the river and one person was killed last year. MAG came to Parajok on the 7th September and provided two days mine awareness training for the community. The team has noticed several UXOs in Parajok school area. Pajok residents have informed the team of landmines in at least two places along the river. Immediate attention should be given to at least detecting the mines and UXO in the area.

Roads and Communications: The Caption Cook major road linking Juba – Nimule via Agoro, Omeo is good and further improvement is ongoing. The link road from Omeo junction to Magwe centre is passable but the condition is very poor. Magwe - Parajok - Pugee road is also in poor condition. For instance, Magwe –Owiny-ki-bol road is only 48 km but takes 3 hours. One of the challenges would be the delivery of assistance to the LRA affected areas. Therefore, all major, access and link roads need immediate rehabilitation. Minor rehabilitation and clearing of roads could be done through community mobilization and Food for Work as incentive for labour.

Coordination: With the expected peace and stable security, improved freedom of movement, the agencies on the ground intend to scale up their operations and more partners may join the endeavour for easing the sufferings of the affected population. A number of international as well as Sudanese NGOs are operating from Nimule and few are present in Magwe. During the meeting with NGOs, it was felt that there is need for a forum for information exchange among the parties including the local authorities and ultimately enhance the coordinated humanitarian assistance delivery. The team recommended the establishment of an inter-agency working group in Nimule. To initiate the process, CRS has volunteered to organize the first meeting and OCHA/UNHCR to follow on and establish regular contact with the working group. ______7 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

The LRA assembly area (Owiny-ki-Bol) : Owinky-Bol boma under Parajok payam had a population of 4,736 people who fled to neighbouring towns of Lobone, Parajok and Pugee to evade LRA attacks. Recently some villagers have returned along the main road and by the river. Returnees are expected by February 2007 prior to the land preparation and plantation.

There are 803 people at the LRA Assembly area, in three camps surrounding the major centre (former school where food is now stored). Women and children are in one camp in Ndjiri near Opari. In response to calls from the administration, some people including women and children from Parajok and Lobone came to clear the airstrip, helipad and access.

Access to the LRA congregation area was prohibited therefore the numbers and composition could not be verified. The LRA group is suspicious and unwilling to share information including needs of their dependent family members. With the knowledge of SPLA, armed LRA soldiers are managing the entry check point of Owinky-Bol. The community around is not happy with the presence of LRA soldiers at the checkpoint. The assessment team met some junior LRA soldiers, who were very reluctant to respond to any question including the one directly on the humanitarian issues.

Return Scenarios Since the signing of the CPA in 2005, the “Cessation of Hostilities Truce” in August 2006 and ongoing dialogues on the LRA issues, the displaced people within the county, outside the county and refugees from Northern Uganda have shown growing confidence and interest to return and restarting livelihood activities in their respective places of origin. Some IDPs/returnees are observing the progress on the LRA peace negotiation, and waiting/preparing for the dry season to return.

The SSRRC has recorded 9,223 returnees both IDPs and returnees during Feb - Aug 2006 in Magwe County while the Payam Administrator reported that about 11,000 returnees have come over the last one year alone in Nimule. In Pugee boma there are 34 households consisting of 108 individuals who are IDPs from Agoro. 316 Returnee households have returned from Uganda. Some returnees from Uganda and IDPs from Labone (no figures available) recently came to Palatoka boma. The refugees are waiting for the organized repatriation with benefits while others went for brief visit “go and see” to their intended places of return. According to the Boma Administrator Martin Billey, Parajok boma has 101 IDPs households consisting of 359 people. In Parajok town there are 745 IDPs who came from the Magwe side. Reportedly, since April 2006, 1,050 returnees came to Parajok payam mostly from Uganda, some from Juba and . In Parajok, there are IDPs from Panyikwara, as well as Agoro, Omeo and Latuko people. The teams have collected figures from different visited locations. The SSRRC county secretary should compile and provide the data in a systematic manner for planning activities for the returnees and local population.

The distance a returnee has to cover is straining as the mode of travel is mostly by foot, and often returnee families include vulnerable members i.e. elderly, young children and pregnant mothers etc. During the rainy season, the road gets muddy and often returnees have to wait several days before proceeding to their long onward journey. It is expected that, there will be a large number of spontaneous returns beginning of the dry season in November. A transit centre/ way station is essential, which will allow returnees to have short break and get access to some essential services.

Major obstacles for return • Decades of insecurity. People are keen to see the ongoing negotiation to bring a lasting solution to the LRA problem and then make the decision to return.

______8 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. • IDPs from Bor (pastoralist) have been occupying the productive land of the local population. There is potential for further conflict between the IDPs (mainly Bor Dinkas) and the returnee population on the central issues of land possession and land use. • Bor IDPs with cattle often destroying the crops and caused localized tension between the IDPs and local residents. During the field visits, the assessment team observed the cattle grazing on crop fields. • Lack of services and quality services in the county i.e. Food security, health, education and other basic needs. On the other hand, the services available in the refugee settlement in Uganda are far better than the poor or non-existing services in the county.

Recommendations

Protection: • A unified UN plan of action to support the LRA/Govt. of Uganda peace talk and subsequent humanitarian assistance for the affected population including the returnees and IDPs. • High UN level discussion with GoSS to urgently return the IDPs to Bor. Some IDPs have cattle and some are without cattle. Involvement of SPLA is crucial for the repatriation of IDPs with cattle to Bor, and SPLA should engage from the planning process/ beginning of the process. • De-mining the refugee and IDPs return routes should be given priority, at least by demarking the areas of potential minefield to avoid further blow to the return process. • Strengthen the Joint Relief and Rehabilitation Committee (JRRC) and review their ToR to include monitoring of return and reintegration. • UNHCR to establish presence in Nimule or at least send frequent missions to monitor return issues. • Traumatized LRA victims need counselling support and separated children would require support for reintegration in to the community. • NCA should be supported to improve the reception/transit centre in Nimule at Sudan – Uganda border.

Food Aid and Food Security: • CRS should continue distributing food to 49,964 returnees, IDPs and vulnerable host population affected by the LRA. Jointly with the SSRRC, the beneficiary number should be verified and adjusted to include new returnees and displaced people moving within bomas and payams. • Food for Work, Food for training and Food for Peace are strongly recommended for community activities particularly for the clearance and maintenance of road links. • The feeding programme should cover schools in the three remaining payams of Magwe, Lobone and Parajok. CRS run programme should continue at least for the next academic year 2007. • Provision of seeds and agricultural tools for the returnees and the host communities. • The county/payam authorities should emphasise the need for agricultural extension services. With the help of NGOs, community should be encouraged to initiate farmers training centre, support to farmers cooperatives with special focus on women farmers cooperative. • For the assembly area in Owiny-ki-bul, there is an urgent need for construction of facility particularly for the storage of food grain. • Clarification is required from the GoSS on the continuation of food assistance and other support to assembly area, particularly LRA combatant and their dependent family members.

Health and Nutrition:

______9 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. • Immediate supplies of essential drugs and equipment to health facilities in order to ensure that the quantity and the frequency of the supplied drugs meet the large demand. • The county administration should ensure that Health Supervisors are more involved in collection and compilation of health information. • A number of PHCUs in the rural areas need immediate rehabilitation. New health facilities to be built in return potential areas. • UNHCR and IOM should discuss possible screening of Sleeping sickness for IDP’s and returnees at the Merlin hospital. • Merlin plans to open a nursing training school in the hospital which will enable the local authorities and NGOs to engage these trained nurses for the PHCC/Us. • Expanded Programme on Immunization (EPI) coverage should be increased • Nutrition surveillance should be strengthened and should cover all six payams • At the PHCUs/Cs, services should be extended for maternal and child care support specially those supported by NGOs/CBOs.

Water and Sanitation: • The county water department assisted by NGOs in the county should collect information on the number and locations of the non-functioning borehole and make a priority list for rehabilitation. • Water supply system should be evaluated especially those abandoned villages to facilitate return to villages avoiding over crowded town centres. • Existing boreholes are inadequate, at least 30 new boreholes needs to be drilled according to the county/NGOs identified list. • UNICEF should make provision of an emergency water supply kit in Nimule to address any emergency situation. • UNICEF and the NGOs working in the WatSan sector should make provision of spare pars for the repair and maintenance of the hand pumps. The payam administration will provide safe storage for the spare parts. • Encourage and assist communities to construct household latrines. Tools for digging should be supplied by the UN/NGOs and Food for Work should be introduced as incentives for labour. • ARC, CRS, NCA and DOT involved in the Water & Sanitation programme should train more hygiene promoters and include more awareness campaign on hygiene and sanitation and should also set up community based sanitation programmes.

Shelter and NFIs: Improvement of the way stations, by constructing more shelter and improving and drilling of the boreholes. There is need for resettlement kits in which e.g. Jerry cans, cooking utensils, mosquito nets, fishing nets, soap, salt, blankets. • Setting up a way station/ transit centre in Magwe is essential to facilitate returns. • UNICEF provided plastic sheets and OCHA provided tools are inadequate for the population of Owiny-ki-Bol residents/returnees. • by the Government but has been used by the women clearing the airstrip.

Education: • The recommendations are based on two scenarios a) That the Juba talks between the Government of Uganda and the LRA will succeed and peace is attained, and b) That returnees will start coming home by Dec’06 for the next academic year. o There is need to increase the number of learning space by rehabilitating 7 damaged schools and construction of additional 3 schools in the area.

______10 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. o UNICEF is requested to provide learning materials and tents as emergency learning space by December for the next school year. • Build permanent structures or renovate existing structures and provide school materials for the primary schools; UNICEF and NGOs engaged in Education sector in Magwe County. • Set up more secondary schools to facilitate access to further education. Same programme could also include vocational training/resource centre for the youth. • An immediate action is required for the training of more teachers and MoE at the county should have plan for the deployment of trained teachers. • Encourage girl education through advocacy and capacity building of women at household, and possibly establishment of girl’s boarding primary school • All schools should have easy access to clean water. NGOs engaged in drilling boreholes should consider the nearby location of schools for new installation. • Provision of desks, chairs, school material in at least 50% of all functioning schools by mid-2007, followed by a second phase to cover 100% of the schools.

Landmines: • Urgent mine assessment is required on the suspected mined areas of: Parajok to Pugee road, Pugee and Lawachi villages, Owiny-ki-bol assembly areas and the neighbouring locations specially along the river and Parajok (town and river) • More mine awareness training, especially among the school children.

______11 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected].

ANNEX - I Team Members, Agencies and Sector Responsibilities

Magwe Team: No Name Organization Sector/Issues covered 1 Laura Janssen IOM Team Leader & Shelter/NFI 2 Anthony Lasuba UNICEF Health & Nutrition 3 Monica Arara WFP Food aid/food Security 4 Jane Juan Simon UNMIS Protection 5 Okum Columbus DOT Water & Sanitation 6 Emmanuel Okulo SSRRC Shelter/NFIs 7 Mark Okungo AAH Education 8 Willy Okello Emmy SSRRC Returnees 9 Rachel Manning UNHCR Returnees 10 Langoya Linus DOT Food Security

Nimule Team: No Name Organization Sector/Issues covered 1 Golam Mahmud EP&R OCHA Team Leader 2 Girmai Wondimu UNHCR Protection 3 Tom Mboya WFP Food aid/food Security 4 Richard Tito Longa UNICEF Education 5 Emmanuel Kanyikwa UNICEF Water & Sanitation 6 Carson Gressly IOM Shelter & NFIs 7 Eva Cabatingam Merlin Health & Nutrition 8 Peter Craver Olore ARC Health & Nutrition 9 Levi Matunga Enlosa NCA Shelter & NFIs 10 Martin Muta CRS Food aid/food Security ** The team was accompanied by the Payam Administrator and SSRRC Supervisor, Nimule

______12 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected]. ANNEX - II

Distribution of population served by CRS food distribution

Locations/types Population Mogali II IDP’s Population Nimule IDP’s 9123 Mogali II 4499

Returnees 7835 Masindi IDP’s

Olikwi combined 6282 Ganzi one 763

Jallei 601 Nuel families 564

Longo 451 Masindi 4596 Acholi returnees 1771 5923 Ganzi IDP’s 1832 Pageri & Loa Loa & pageli IDP’s 1332 Pageri 1489 Mogali one 8435 Loa 391 37662 1880 TOTAL POPULATION 49964 Last verification and registration was done in April 2006.

Food items brought to LRA Assembly Area by GoSS: - 160 bags of 50kg of maize flower - 113 bags of 50 kg of Maize - 51 bags of 100 kg of Maize - 82 jerry cans of 18 kg Vegetable Oil - 160 bags of 50 kg Sugar - 100 bags of 100 kg Beans - 200 bags of 25 kg Rice - 160 bags of 50 kg Wheat flower - 15 bags Onions (were already damned and bags were not full)

Items already used: - 30 bags of maize of 100 kg each - 20 bags wheat flower - 5 bags sugar - 5 bags rice - 5 bags onions - 10 bags beans - 5 jerry cans oil

Note: Instructions of Office of the Vice President that the people working on the airstrip were allowed food from this delivery

Boreholes in Nimule, Mugali and Pageri Payams Areas No. of Boreholes in No. of Boreholes in the institutions Community Nimule 42 3 Pageri 2 3 Loa 4 Mugali 4 Masindi 2 Arapi 2 Total 54 8

______13 ______EP&R, UNOCHA, OCHA Compound, Juba, Southern Sudan. Tel: ++8821643341394, 249 (0)911613813 Contact e-mail: [email protected], [email protected].