IRNA Report: Ayod, Wau and Pagil, Ayod County, Jonglei State
7-8 March 2014
This IRNA Report is a product of Inter-Agency Assessment mission conducted and information compiled based on the inputs provided by partners on the ground including; government authorities, affected communities/IDPs and agencies.
Situation overview Ayod County is in the northwest part of Jonglei and is comprised of five Payams: Ayod, Mogok, Pajiek, Pagil, Kuachdeng and Wau. Ayod County and its environs are inhabited by Gawar Nuer. It has a population of 139,282 people as per South Sudan Household Census of 2008. Ayod town hosts the county administrative quarters. The county headquarters at the time of the assessment was calm though deserted; the few inhabitants were welcoming to the IRNA team.
On 15 February OCHA received reports that up to an estimated 54,000 IDPs were seeking refuge in Ayod County. In response an IRNA mission was launched with COSV taking the lead and convening an Inter cluster Working Group for actors in Ayod County. The area normally has high levels of food insecurity which has worsened over the last two years when flooding destroyed a high proportion of crops and livelihoods. Menime and Haat are Island locations of Ayod, located on the Western part of the county, bordering Fangak County to the North West, Pigi County to the North and Nyirol County on the North East. Since the time of war, these areas have been underserved with basic health care and other services. The area lacks health and immunization coverage. Communication and transport to the islands are a major hindrance in getting adequate information and the only way to access the islands is either by river or air. Given the number of IDPs and the extreme conditions of the site, a multi sector emergency response covering food security and livelihoods, NFIs, WASH and Health, needs to be given priority.
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Site overview
Location map
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Drivers of crisis and underlying factors Violence, which began with events on 15 December 2013, in Juba quickly reached Bor and displaced over 76,000 citizens to neighbouring counties. Ayod, the county capital of Ayod County, was a not a key area of convergence for IDPs fleeing on-going conflict in Bor and Malakal as some still perceived Ayod as a target. Thus it was only a transit to their original Payams. Existence of IDPs were recorded in mid-January, however more have arrived since those figures were released (and many have gone to other Payams and have integrated and assimilated with the host populations). Recent attacks on Gadiang have caused further displacement for both populations in Kuachdeng and Pajiek Payams. Displaced populations have moved toward Jiech and Pagil Payams and beyond to Menime and Haat Bomas. Scope of the crisis and humanitarian profile The County and Payam RRC in all three locations assessed indicated that IDPs moved into the host community with a few putting up on their own in makeshift tukuls of palm tree and sorghum straws. In many cases the integration was relatively easy because despite them coming from Bor or Malakal, most displaced had families in Central Jonglei. The displacement has placed significant strain on the host community as in all three locations food and water points have been exhausted. Generally family and friends along the way, report on the unavailability of food, strain on water, shelter and insecurity as a reason for fleeing and residing in the villages. There were some people settling in their current locations who felt that security was sufficient enough for now for them to remain in this place unless events shift and insecurity erupts. Any further deterioration of the situation in the south (or indeed rumours of which are very prevalent given that the mobile phone network is non-existent) are likely to set off further movement of IDPs to the north. People still felt safe in Nuer areas, but movement by the government forces into the Nuer homeland would indicate that the government intentions were beyond just securing Dinka areas and such a movement would significantly affect the Nuer's feeling of security. Affected population IDPs figures: Haat 125, Menime 350, Nyoat 280, Pakuem 170, Pakur 370, and others unaccounted for, as having integrated within Menime Boma. (Use of 5-7 people as the average number of IDPs households.) In Pagil, IDPs were reported from Malakal, with 1,569 arriving in January 2014 and 886 in February 2014 respectively. Trends and Scenarios At the time of the assessment, Ayod County population had not been directly affected by the violence, but due to the advancement from Gadiang the inhabitants of Kuachdeng, Pajiek and Ayod are moving northwards to areas perceived as relatively secure. As at 7-8 March there were more obvious IDPs population in Menime and Pagil, however there was no verification conducted yet.
Key response priorities Food security and livelihoods Provision High Energy Biscuits (HEB’s) to populations still displaced from the violence in Upper Nile State (Malakal), Unity (Rubkona, Leer and Panyinjar counties) Provide food to both the IDPs and the vulnerable host communities in all three locations in 3-4 weeks Provide host communities and IDPs with agricultural inputs in readiness for the next agricultural season, so as to build resilience and reinvigorating livelihoods Health Deliver drugs and medical supplies to all health facilities in Ayod County. Deliver vaccines and scale up follow up measles immunization campaign covering the Ayod County. Nutrition Preposition TSFP supplies in Ayod, Mogok, Jiech and Pagil. Supply COSV with SAM supplies as per the UNICEF PCA projections.
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WASH Repair of handpumps Public health promotion Ongoing sanitation programming Shelter/NFI Jiech, Menime and Pagil: Distribute standard NFI kits Provide plastic sheets that can be used to make shelters for protection from rain Protection Support to protection mitigating measures in the event of humanitarian distributions Protection monitoring and mainstreaming
Humanitarian access In a normal situation and in the absence of violence Ayod is accessible with fixed wing aircrafts and helicopters in addition to the road transportation from Bor and Malakal, and serves as an important hub servicing adjacent counties. The airstrip is long and currently dry, well kept and safe for landing. In Wau Payam(Jiech), the access is by Cessna caravan and helicopters and road, the only constraint at the moment is that the airstrip is not well managed, consequently leading to a shorted taxing and landing space especially with a payload. Exploring the road is another alternative, however the culvert to Jiech was washed away in 2012 and was not reconstructed and the window period is fast closing as we approach the next rainy season, the roads will be rendered impassable soon even if access is granted. Last but not least, in Pagil the airstrip is short and after a heavy rain, it has to have four days of dry weather to be safe for landing. The southern tip is better as compared to the northern tip which is more damp and water logged and pools of water remain stagnant. In Menime, island communication and transport to the island has been a major hindrance in getting adequate information on the situations of the islands. The only ways to access the islands is either by river or air.
Key findings Food security and livelihoods Key findings It was clear that food insecurity is a key challenge at this point in time, primarily attributed to the seasonality but exacerbated by the inflow of IDPs. The communities in these locations are agro-pastoralists. The crop production is typically low. In 2013, Ayod, Jiech, Menime and Pagil Bomas reported a low output per household. The dry weather is still tolerable though food is diminishing faster than normal due to the additional pressures of IDPs. The displaced people indicated having lost their livelihoods including previous stocks of harvest when they fled and were mainly surviving on water and wild fruits during their long journeys.
Food supply and market situation: In all the three areas visited, there were indications that the current stocks will not last beyond March with Ayod reporting a likelihood of stocks lasting for the next 2-3 weeks, and markets being largely depleted of food. They indicated that they are likely to move out the remaining livestock in the next 2-3 weeks to pasture areas west of the county to Toch. This will imply a further reduction in food sources. The resident households will not have anything to share with IDPs. The WFP supply on ground has already been distributed. Unless replenished, the distribution is already exhausted in Ayod and Mogok. The main source of livelihood for the communities is subsistence agriculture. Livestock keeping is also common among the IDPs particularly cattle and goats. The animals are mainly used for milk production and rarely slaughtered for consumption or sold to meet household food and non-food needs. It is however
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important to note that agricultural produce have significantly dwindled after the conflict mainly due to looting or getting burnt at the height of the crisis. Typically, the markets within Ayod depend on food commodities from Juba through Bor. The communities usually rely on market sources of cereals during February through October. Traders typically restock enough commodities during the dry season (February and March) for use through the wet season when transportation within the areas is difficult. Markets have been completely cut-off since the beginning of the crisis. There is no restocking. Traders have already depleted the previous stocks and there are minimal operations ongoing at the market. There is meat still sold in these open markets but cereals are not available in the markets.
Food consumption and sources of food: The communities depend on sorghum as their staple food commodity supplemented by animal sources of food and fishing. Cereals are getting depleted faster due to pressure from IDPs and while fishing is still a source they lack the fishing gear especially in Menime. Cattle were affected by a disease - carcases are visible and some livestock herded by boys also moved out in search of pasture. Communities are increasingly supplementing the little stock with wild fruits majorly lalop mixed in sorghum. Beans and other legumes are also typically consumed albeit in smaller quantities due to its poor access— mainly from markets. There is no cooking oil in the local markets.
Coping strategies: In all the four locations assessed, households have resorted to limiting portion sizes and reducing frequency of meals to once per day instead of their usual two meals a day. Households settled in Jiech, Pagil & Menime indicated that they can at times skip meals for a whole day for not more than 2 days a week. Accordingly, the quantity and quality of food had decreased compared to the period before the conflict, not only for IDPs but also for local populations. The other coping strategies employed in all the assessed areas are consumption of wild foods, more than usual for the season. Households indicated they collect leaves of certain trees which can be their meal for a whole day. Under normal circumstances these leaves are not often consumed. In all the assessed areas, IDP households indicated that one of their major coping strategies is to rely on in-kind support with food by the host communities. The quantities are however small to sustain them considering their numbers and in most cases the food given lasts for not more than 2 days. The milk production is considerably low and mainly left for the children to supplement the other limited sources of food. Priorities for response There is need to provide food assistance that is appropriate for moving populations. Accordingly, high energy biscuits are ideal especially for populations still moving away from conflict zones to safer destinations. These populations can be provided with the high energy biscuits (HEB’s) in central locations like Jiech & Menime. Provide food to both the IDPs and the vulnerable host communities in the four locations. Provide host communities and IDPs with agricultural inputs in readiness for the next agricultural season
WASH Key findings Ayod Payam / Centre: Majority of boreholes in Ayod have broken down leaving only a few to serve the communities. Efforts to get the trained pump mechanics to repair the boreholes have been fruitless as the communities are not able to pay the pump mechanics for their service, leaving the broken down boreholes unrepaired. The communities are left to utilize the few existing boreholes. It was observed that the communities practice open defecation, this is very visible as there is a lot of human waste (faeces) on the open ground everywhere. Jiech, Menime and Pagil: Water: Key informants mentioned water collection at night to avoid long queues; however the only long queue was in Jiech and Pagil because of only one functional borehole in each location.
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If broken hand pumps in each of the locations were repaired water supply would significantly improve, distance for some households would still remain a challenge (below sphere standards) but water quality is good. The exception is Menime where there is no borehole and the people drink straight from the swamp.
Hygiene and public health: The household jerry cans are dirty outside and inside, many are broken, and none have lids. There is a need for a jerry can cleaning campaign. No soap observed in households visited or at toilet facilities. Sanitation: No household latrines observed in Jiech, Menime and Pagil. Open defecation is practiced; there is need for sensitisation regarding the covering of faeces. Priorities for response Ayod Payam / Centre: Since borehole spares are already available in the PAH compound there is need to send the ERT to repair boreholes with the assistance of pump mechanics who are willing and available to work. Embark on a hygiene campaign to discourage open defecation especially close to the houses. Prioritize the construction of latrines for the communities. This could be supported by food hand-outs as the communities are hungry and weak and cannot dig pit latrines. Jiech, Menime and Pagil: Household level water treatment e.g. PUR sachets Initiatives to protect river water from human and animal solid wastes Identify designated bathing and washing points as well as water collection points Raised sanitary platform above flood level Train and equip a water committee with the necessary tools Clean and safe disposal of faeces (dig hole and buried), promotion of household latrines (dome slab) Hand washing station with soap for latrine blocks Promote community led approach along with CLTS (community led total sanitation) Environmental cleaning and safe disposal of wastes Mass campaign on health and hygiene, including women’s group discussion on personal hygiene and needs Blanket distribution of buckets/ jerry cans, and other WASH NFIs, including bathing & laundry soaps etc. Jerry can cleaning campaign Latrine cleaning campaign
NFI/ES Key findings IDPs have left their original places without anything and often sleep on the ground and cook with very poor utensils borrowed from the local community. With the coming rainy season the risk of malaria is very high and mosquito nets will be necessary. Since the possibility for transportation is limited (only air transportation and for small planes), we asked which was the priority for NFIs. The most requested NFI items were: 1) Mosquito nets 2) Blankets 3) Kitchen sets Priorities for response Sheltering at the moment is not the main problem, IDPs are setting up shelters using the local materials, but surely a distribution of plastic sheets would be useful. Concerning the NFI needs, the distribution of a complete kit of items.
Health Key findings Drugs and health care services were identified as one of top three priority needs by healthcare providers, the RRC, Community leaders and all the groups who were interviewed.
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There is a functional PHCC in Ayod under the management of COSV-IMA RRHP and CHD. The health situation has deteriorated across the county and in Ayod there was lack of essential core tracer medicines (antibiotics, ORS, anti-malaria, antipyretic, contraception, dressing materials, and vaccines) with exception of few injectable drugs. The PHCC is treating an increased number of patients with malaria and watery diarrhea. EPI and MCH services were not running due to unavailable supplies. During the visit the Cold Chain Assistant was the only one present and the facility was barely functional. The cold chain was also broken down and fixed, however secondarily not functional due to lack of fuel as all the supplies were looted around late December 2013 and early January 2014. There were no antibiotics and analgesics in Jiech, Menime and Pagil PHCU’s. The County Health Officer was the only one present and a few CHW’s. Suspected cases of measles were reported in all the four health facilities visited.
In Ayod: Disease # of cases in # of deaths in last 7 days last 7 days Measles 17 5 Malaria 13 0 Diarrhoeal diseases 36 0 Acute Respiratory 32 0 Infections Injuries 14 1 Pregnancy related 5 0 conditions
In Menime: Disease # of cases in # of deaths in last 7 last 7 days days Measles 0 0 Malaria 16 0 Diarrhoeal 49 0 diseases Acute Respiratory 35 0 Infections Injuries 0 0 Pregnancy related 7 0 conditions
In Pagil: At the time of the assessment the CHW I/C Pagil reported two complicated cases of 1 intra uterine foetal death and 1 gunshot injury, and no antibiotics and dressing materials. Disease # of cases in # of deaths in last 7 last 7 days days Measles 20 0 Malaria 25 0 Diarrhoeal 36 0 diseases Acute Respiratory 0 0 Infections Injuries 1 0 Pregnancy related 1 0 conditions Kala Azar 0 0
Jiech primary health care unit(PHCU): Disease # of cases in # of deaths in last 7 last 7 days days Measles 30 0
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Malaria 100 0 Diarrhoeal 200 0 diseases Acute Respiratory 45 0 Infections Injuries 0 0 Pregnancy related 0 0 conditions Kala Azar 0 0 The RRC informed the team that the facility is supported by COSV & CHD and since the start of the current crisis no drug supplies were delivered, and this delivery was the first since the violence begun. The staffs managing the facility were also around and received the drugs in Jiech. Interview with the officer in charge of Jiech PHCU reported that the facility was handling high caseloads in the outpatient department.
General challenges: Shortage of medical supplies like drugs, stationeries and OPD cards. Reported cases of suspected disease outbreak (measles) Staff had not received their salaries since December depriving them the resources to purchase food and upkeep. Staff is in fear to provide primary health care services even when medical supplies are available for fear of attacks. Priorities for response COSV has an ongoing contact with IMA/ Health Cluster and will initiate talks with Jonglei SMoH and Liaise with Ayod CHD on delivering EMF drugs and other medical supplies to all health facilities in Ayod County. On the assessment day COSV delivered basic supplies for continuation of services.
Education Key findings There are four schools in Ayod, which at the time of the assessment remained closed, as the community had fled from Ayod to the neighbouring villages, thus the county education department had postponed the start of the schooling calendar indefinitely in Ayod payam. Displaced children on the numerous islands of Haat, Menime, Pakuem, Pakur and Nyoat have no access to schools as there is a lack of teaching materials as well as teachers. In Jiech and Pagil: there is a permanent structure, however community schools lack teaching materials as well as teachers. According to local authorities the schools are in dire need of educational materials even to cover the needs of the local population. Priorities for response The WFP-led school feeding program needs to be restarted due to the current and growing food insecurity in the area.
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Next steps Cluster Priority actions Human and material Responsible entity By when resources needed FSL - Provision High 3-4 weeks Energy Biscuits - Provide food to both the IDPs and the vulnerable host communities - Provide host communities and IDPs with agricultural inputs WASH Technical ERT PAH Respond assessment of within two boreholes around weeks Ayod Town NFI/ES Distribution of a Intersos complete NFI kits and plastic sheets/rope for all IDPs Health Provide essential Medical personnel, COSV/CHD Immediately medicines in the 1 volunteers, vaccines, PHCC & 4 PHCU’s Medical equipments and and RH services Drugs Nutrition Prepositioning of COSV/UNICEF supplies Education Setting up of COSV/CMD temporary learning spaces Protection Psychosocial support programs for the community
Assessment information IRNA stands for “Initial Rapid Needs Assessment”. Initial: Serves as a ‘first look’ at locations where immediate emergency humanitarian response is anticipated, and determines immediate priorities for intervention – registration and targeting of caseload can be required as follow- up, or ‘blanket’ distribution of aid can be actioned directly. Rapid: Deployed quickly, from a list of pre-trained and pre-qualified humanitarian personnel Needs Assessment: The IRNA is an Inter-agency and inter-cluster process using an ICWG-endorsed tool, reporting format and methodology – namely The IRNA form, and the IRNA Reporting Template. The IRNA was endorsed by the South Sudan Inter Cluster Working Group (ICWG) and launched in November 2012, combined with training of humanitarian actors at Juba and state level.
The assessment to locations in Ayod County, Jonglei State was carried out by the following individuals:
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Cluster Name Organization Email Phone WASH Juliet PAH [email protected] 0954983759 Bvekwa WASH Joan Jane Peace Winds [email protected] 0955990139 Japan NFI/Protection Bruno Intersos [email protected] 0913403289 Tassan Viol WASH/FSL/Education Philip Kueth CMD [email protected] 0927190134 Nuot Education Matteo COSV [email protected] 0923066139 Brunelli Health/Nutrition Wilfred COSV [email protected] 0921296316 Wanyanga
Ayod County & Payams: Ayod (Latitude N 08.07'.21.67" / Longitude E 031° 24' 48.88" Altitude 456.0m), Wau Payam-Jiech Boma (Latitude N 08.22'.15.07" / Longitude E 031° 08' 08.25" Altitude 456.0m), Pagil Payam - Menime Boma (Latitude N 08.36'.34" / Longitude E 030° 43' 10.24 Altitude 456.0m) & Pagil Payam (N 08° 12" 39.55" / E 31° 16' 09.58") Two day assessment on 7 and 8 March 2014: the team was deployed by a chartered Mission Aviation Fellowship (MAF) fixed wing caravan helicopter to Ayod and Menime on 7 March 2014 and met with the Ayod RRC Coordinator, County Health Department staff, PAH, CMD, CRS, FHI and COSV staff. The Key informants participation was diverse and interviewees included the Community leaders/ Local Authorities, health workers and religious leaders. Day 1: Ayod Payam & Menime Boma, IRNA was conducted on 07/03/2014 Day 2: Wau Payam(Jiech Boma) & Pagil Payam(Pagil Boma) IRNA was conducted on 08/03/2014
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