CIC: Emergencies and Disaster Mitigation

South Sudan refugee response project

A safe haven for those living in fear

Since the mid-1980s, the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) have waged a brutal campaign of violence and torture against civilians across Central Africa. Intent on overthrowing the Ugandan government, the LRA has killed, disfigured and abducted thousands of civilians. Tens of thousands of children have been kidnapped for use as child soldiers and sex slaves.

Despite government efforts to stop the LRA's reign of terror, the group remains active along the remote borders of Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo and Central African Republic. More than 7600 people have been forced to flee their villages for the sanctuary of makeshift refugee settlements in Western Equatoria State in South Sudan, while another 2000-plus have streamed into surrounding communities.

Providing basic needs and essential services

Food/non-food aid

World Vision's CIC: Emergencies and Disaster Mitigation fund is helping World Vision staff distribute food and essential non-food items (e.g., materials for temporary shelters) to the displaced living in the Makpandu, Napere, Yubu and Tambura refugee settlements in Western Equatoria State. Although those refugees already settled in the camp received seeds and tools to grow food, many have struggled to produce enough due to the small cultivation areas and inability to open up new tracts of land in the forest because of the fear of attack. The distribution of monthly food rations is therefore essential to ensure the refugees get adequate amounts of nutritious food.

Most refugees arrive at the settlements without any basic items for survival. World Vision is distributing basic household and hygiene items, such as emergency shelters, kitchen sets, mats, blankets, mosquito nets and soap. These items will help the refugees restart their lives, providing basic privacy and protection from the natural elements.

Primary healthcare

Overcrowding, poor nutrition and hygiene, and disruption to health services have led to an increase in infectious diseases among the refugee population. Malaria is the leading cause of death, followed by intestinal parasites and acute respiratory infections. In the Napere camp, the situation is made worse by the high rate of HIV and AIDS-related illnesses.

With the help of generous CIC donors, World Vision is providing quality primary healthcare to the refugees through two healthcare units funded by the United Nations Refugee Agency in the Makpandu and Napere settlements. As part of this work, World Vision is introducing improved medical referral systems so that refugees can access treatment in advanced medical facilities. World Vision staff are expanding HIV and AIDS interventions to include home-based care for those living with HIV and AIDS, training for local counselors and educators, and support for those providing palliative care for patients. They are also establishing twice-weekly services at the primary healthcare units where pregnant women can receive antenatal checks and iron and de-worming tablets.

Education

Good humanitarian practice involves operating across a continuum from emergency relief to development.  Following this practice, World Vision goes beyond providing basic items in emergencies to helping nurture lasting improvements in children's well-being. In South Sudan, one of the ways in which World Vision is doing this is by giving children access to education.

World Vision organises primary school education in the Makpandu and Napere refugee settlements in partnership with the Western Equatoria State's Ministry of Education. The schools are very popular; the number of students enrolled in the Makpandu settlement alone has jumped to 536, up from 303. World Vision supplies exercise books, pens, pencils, school uniforms, and offers refresher courses and pay incentives for teachers. Progress is also underway to set up child-friendly play spaces for young children (ages 3 to 5) within or near the school compounds.

How can I get involved?

Your contribution to World Vision's CIC: Emergencies and Disaster Mitigation fund has helped many people in urgent need of assistance throughout Africa, Asia and the Pacific. Below are just some of the other ways your CIC donation has made a difference:

• World Vision is helping meet the immediate needs of the estimated 95,000 people affected by a 6.8 magnitude earthquake that rocked the eastern Shan State in Myanmar on 24 March 2011. The emergency response includes providing shelter, clean drinking water, medical care and safe areas for children to play, learn, express their feelings and meet with peers.
• World Vision interviewed local people on Karkar, a volcanic island 30km off the northern cost of Papua New Guinea, as part of a disaster risk management survey. The responses are being used to develop a community-based disaster preparedness plan. This will help Karkar Island's more than 100 different communities respond to natural hazards that pose the greatest threat to them, such as volcanic eruptions and rising sea levels. An estimated 3600 students from 15 schools now have updated information on safe - and unsafe - places on the island in the event of a volcanic eruption.