Sudan: Humanitarian Action Still Under Fire in Darfur

The conflict in Darfur has evolved but the people it has displaced continue to languish in camps unprotected from violent attacks and increasingly cut off from humanitarian assistance.

The fragmentation of rebel groups since the signing of the Darfur Peace Agreement in May 2006 and the emergence of disgruntled Arab militias that feel abandoned by the government have dramatically altered the face of the conflict. Humanitarian workers have become the easy targets of all sides: physical attacks by rebel groups, armed militias, and bandits; expulsions by the Sudanese government; and resource-draining bureaucratic impediments that prevent them from operating effectively.

Over the past four years the international humanitarian operation in Darfur has kept the people displaced by the conflict alive. The Government of Sudan is now claiming that the Darfur crisis is over and that it is time for returns and development. In the build-up to the deployment of the United Nations-African Union Hybrid Mission in Darfur (UNAMID), donor governments and international organizations must place equal priority on assuring that any returns are voluntary and on maintaining the overall effectiveness of the humanitarian operation. Humanitarian assistance and protection will remain essential as the vulnerability of the people of Darfur shows no signs of decreasing.

Remove Bureaucratic Impediments

The Government of Sudan’s regulations create intentional bureaucratic misery for international organizations working in Darfur. The Government routinely violates agreements brokered by the UN to expedite the processing of visas and permits for international staff, resulting in international non-governmental organizations being forced to spend unconscionable amounts of time and resources on complying with bureaucratic procedures. An immediate priority is the renewal of the so-called Moratorium, which nominally ensures the fast-track processing of visas, permits and other documents for international NGOs. In 2007, the Government of Sudan extended the Moratorium for one year until January 31, 2008. Unless the Moratorium is now renewed for at least another year, all visas and permits for international NGO staff working in Darfur will expire at the end of January, and the humanitarian operation in Darfur will grind to a halt.

Read key facts on bureaucratic impediments and the difficulties of working in Darfur [2]

Defend Humanitarian Principles

Humanitarian workers fear speaking out in defense of humanitarian principles. The Government of Sudan has a policy of controlling and silencing humanitarian agencies because they witness the ongoing abuses. In 2007, the government has expelled many humanitarian workers from Darfur and prevented others from working there by bureaucratic obstacles.

Providing effective humanitarian assistance includes finding ways to report on violations or unmet needs, but in Darfur reporting on even minor incidents can lead to government closure of programs. International aid agencies need a strong UN Country Team to serve as the buffer between them and the government and to advocate, publicly or privately as appropriate, for respect of humanitarian principles. The UN is also vulnerable to expulsions and limits on their operations, demonstrated most recently by the forced removal of the South Darfur head of the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA). But the overall UN presence in Sudan is essential to the international credibility of the Sudanese government, and the UN is therefore in a stronger position to advocate for adherence to humanitarian principles than beleaguered NGOs.

Prevent Forced Returns and Relocations

Since 2004 the Government of Sudan has been calling for displaced people in camps to return to their villages, despite the fact that it is not safe for them to do so. In the past three months there has been a disturbing escalation in government rhetoric about the need for displaced Darfuris to go home. While the government is claiming that large numbers of Darfuris are now returning, there is in fact minimal sustained voluntary return taking place, and 270,000 people have been newly displaced by violence in 2007.

The government appears to want to re-draw the map of Darfur before UNAMID deploys. Feeling threatened by large camps, they have forcibly relocated people from Otash camp in South Darfur, and they are now threatening to forcibly disarm and dismantle Kalma camp. There are also reports of local officials harassing people and offering inducements to community leaders to get them to accept relocations or returns. Any returns or relocations which take place must comply with international humanitarian principles; they must be voluntary, safe and with dignity.

Read key facts on preventing forced returns and relocations [3]

Provide for Protection and Camp Coordination

Millions of Darfuri civilians are still living in situations where their physical safety is at risk. Darfur needs the presence of a strong UN agency with a protection mandate in North and South Darfur to identify vulnerable individuals and report on abuses. The Protection Section of the UN Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) currently takes the lead. But UNMIS Protection is expected to phase out of Darfur by January 1, 2008, and this could leave a potentially dangerous gap.

The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) is responsible for protection and camp coordination in West Darfur, and is currently negotiating with the Government of Sudan to assume the lead protection and camp coordination role in the other Darfur states. UNHCR is well suited to this task, but to perform it effectively will require a huge increase in its Darfur staffing. Establishing sub-offices outside of the state capitals will be required, which will be costly as well. Camp coordination is strongly linked to the provision of protection. Effective camp management prevents tensions from rising, which in turn reduces outbreaks of violence. OCHA is presently handling camp coordination in North and South Darfur, a role for which it is unsuited.

Strengthen Local Civil Society Organizations

The Government of Sudan mistreats and intimidates local NGOs, including by suspending their registrations and forcibly closing their offices. Local NGO workers often face arrest, detention and torture. In recent weeks local NGO and civil society workers have been subjected to frequent harassment and questioning by national security and intelligence agencies. Local activists are particularly being questioned about the funding they receive from foreign sources. Local NGOs will not be able to survive if their funding sources are cut off. Despite the high level of funding for the international humanitarian operation in Darfur, very little funding reaches local groups due to the inflexibility of the various funding mechanisms.

Convey the Real Story on UNAMID

There is a disturbing lack of accurate information reaching the Darfuri people about UNAMID. Information on the hybrid force does reach the camps through local networks, but it is often distorted by those with different political agendas. In addition, the Government of Sudan is deliberately confusing the people about UNAMID’s role through media and propaganda. Many factors may delay and hamper UNAMID’s operations: the lack of an inclusive peace process; difficulties with the implementation of the North-South Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA); Sudanese government obstruction; and the failure of the U.S. and other international donors to provide the required resources. The majority of Darfuris have unrealistically high expectations for UNAMID, which will mean inevitable disappointment and will reduce the prospects of success by the force.