nlp-thedeep/humsetbias huggingface dataset:
336,756 refugees residing in camps and out of camp settlements received in kind food assistance on a monthly basis. Partners successfully revised protocols to reduce the risk of transmission of COVID 19 during food distributions. Approximately 30 per cent of refugees were not provided with food assistance due to the funding gap and logistical challenges in reaching out to refugees who are in several out of camp settlements.
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  WASH: • Risk communication and community engagement. • Support the setup of WASH facilities and hygiene campaigns at Points of entry. Support to WASH interventions at treatment or health centers identified for referral/treatment. • Infection prevention and control through distribution of materials and hygiene campaigns • Provide WASH for vulnerable populations especially IDPs and refugees including provision of hand washing facilities in high risk areas
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  Protection: • Support advocacy with partners and authorities to ensure containment measure lead to an increase in protection violations • Support awareness raising and risk communication in relation to COVID 19 especially through existing protection networks • Increase and sustain protection monitoring and reporting • Support individual protection assistance through provision of protection kits particularly for the most vulnerable groups • Provide and sustain psycho social support
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  Nutrition: • Support case management through providing nutritional requirements for patients • Continue regular nutrition activities including MUAC screening, treatment of severe and acute malnutrition • Support raising awareness and risk communication
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  Health: • Lead and coordinate overall response to COVID 19 including providing relevant guidance to partners on key response activities • Ensure the country has sufficient technical and operational capacities to detect, contain and treat COVID 19 • Support training on case management, infection, prevention and control • Engage with both development and humanitarian partners to support the strengthening of health system and response to the pandemic • Psycho social support for affected populations
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  Food Security and Livelihoods: • Monitor food and agricultural input prices including provision of guidance to framers • Support in securing essential food stocks to cover needs in the event of any market/farming disruptions • Support protection of livelihoods to minimize the impact • Incorporate risk communication components on COVID 19 in all FSL activities
[ Key activities by sector to support preparedness and response to COVID 19 ]  Emergency Shelter and Non Food Items: • Support risk communication and community engagement. • Support infection, prevention and control through distribution of IEC material and community awareness • Support in identification of spaces and physical infrastructure to support other programmes and isolation. • Develop COVID 19 specific messages to mitigate exposure during emergency shelter and NFI distributions • Procurement, distribution and prepositioning of NFI kits especially for IDPS, refugees and other vulnerable groups affected by COVID 19 to reduce sharing of core relief items
On 16 March 2020, Sudan's Transitional Government closed all airports, ports and land crossings and declared a public health emergency over fears of further spread of coronavirus. Only scheduled flights of goods and humanitarian supplies are permitted. Flights taking out passengers have been organised by member states on an ad hoc basis
As of 14 July 2020, 10,762 cases of COVID 19 have been confirmed in Sudan with 680 resulting fatalities; the total case fatality rate  ( CFR )  is 6.3%.
3,355 people affected, 262 houses destroyed, 409 houses damaged
66,485 people affected, 2,780 houses destroyed, 10,517 houses damaged
On 16 March 2020, Sudan's Transitional Government closed all airports, ports and land crossings and declared a public health emergency over fears of further spread of coronavirus. Only scheduled flights of goods and humanitarian supplies are permitted. Flights taking out passengers have been organised by member states on an ad hoc basis.
As of 30 March 2020, inter state public transportation has been halted and a country wide imposed curfew between 18:00 and 06:00; following this, on 18 April, authorities effected a lockdown in Khartoum and North Darfur. During the lockdown, people are allowed to purchase essentials goods between 06:00 and 13:00.
In response to clashes in West Darfur and North Darfur, WFP provided emergency food and nutrition assistance to 2,268 newly displaced people in Fata Borno  ( North Darfur ) , 14,496 people in Geneina in  ( West Darfur ) , and 6,750 people in Mastery town  ( West Darfur ) .  [ Specified assessed location: Fata Borno, Mastery town ]
After the end of COVID lockdown restrictions, WFP's retail partner resumed its ‘Vitamino' sales and promotion activities in 75 percent of the pharmacies, ensuring access to these micronutrient powders for children under five, and preventing micronutrient deficiencies.
In the context of hyperinflation, which reached 167 percent in August, and the doubling of the price of the local food basket since January, WFP increased the cash based transfer values for general food assistance, food assistance for assets, productive safety nets  ( PSN )  and take home rations.
The gap between the official and parallel exchange rates widened further to a staggering 213 percent with a significant impact on the price of imports, including for food and agricultural inputs, thereby putting additional pressure on people's purchasing power and operational running costs.
Following floods in various parts of the country, WFP participated in rapid inter agency assessment missions to the affected states and subsequently delivered food and nutrition assistance to 3,500 people in White Nile and North Darfur
The goat to sorghum ToT have declined 10 to 15 percent between June and November 2018, and currently the sale of a goat can purchase around 100 kg of sorghum, compared to 110 kg in June This ToT is almost 45 percent lower than last year and 55 percent lower than the recent five year average.
Prices in SPLM N areas were slightly lower than the same period last year, a time in which prices were extremely high due to poorer cultivation and greater instability. However, prices remain extremely high in absolute terms and are between 60 and 160 percent above that of the government areas due to the high cost of transportation and restricted official trade flow.
Staple cereal prices have seasonally decreased in main markets in SPLM N areas between September and October, and the retail price of sorghum decreased between roughly 10 and 30 percent in Thobo, Um Dorain Dallami, Western Kadugli and Heiban markets. This is mainly attributed to the increased market supplies from the new harvest both locally and from adjacent government controlled areas.  [ Specific location assessed  Thodo, Um Dorain Dallami, Western Kadugli ]
Domestic movement restrictions have been lifted in Khartoum State.
All land border crossing points between Sudan and neighbouring countries are now open for entry and exit, and transportation services have resumed. All internal state borders are open and domestic bus travel between states has resumed.
In response to the pandemic, the Government of Sudan  ( GoS )  declared a nationwide health emergency and introduced mitigation measures in March 2020 to reduce the transmission of the virus. These measures included restrictions on travel due to closure of airports, points of entry  ( PoE )  along land borders and maritime boundaries, as well as domestic movement restrictions
Aid agencies are scaling up response and all 67,380 IDPs verified by WFP in the 71 IDP gathering points in Ag Geneina received food assistance. Almost 31,000 people – over half of the target – received NFIs. Health services are provided through mobile clinics to at least 17,000 people.
On 2 February, the Deputy Governor lifted the requirement for police escorts to deliver aid in the gathering sites in Ag Geneina. The estimated number of IDPs in Ag Geneina town and surrounding villages reached 108,800 people, according to IOM's latest update. Almost 400 people were killed and another 473 injured during the inter communal clashes, while about 8,400 people lost personal belongings and livestock, IOM reported.
The fifth Emergency Event Tracking  ( EET )  by the IOM's Displacement Tracking Matrix  ( DTM )  estimates 149,137 people  ( 30,852 families )  have been displaced across Ag Geneina and its surrounding villages. Since the fourth EET, there has been a 37 per cent increase in the number of people displaced, including an additional 20,762 people in Ag Geneina town, 9,050 people in Muli village, 950 people in Shukry village, 550 individuals in Sisi camp and about 9,000 people are in open areas of a new location  ( Kereneik village ) .
Globally and in Sudan, COVID 19 has disrupted delivery of essential services and continues to claim lives and disrupt livelihoods.
Unfortunately, all the schools lack the basic necessities including water facilities, toilets, recreational areas, fencing and feeding programs.  ( in Gorlangbang  )
Establishment of temporary safe spaces for women and girls to be used as a centre for information dissemination about services, group Psychosocial Support Services  ( PSS )  activities, support and referrals of survivors of Gender Based Violence  ( GBV )  and recreational activities.
Strengthening of the capacity of service providers in provision of life saving Gender Based Violence  ( GBV )  response services including, clinical management of rape, referrals, caring for child survivors of sexual violence, psychosocial support, basic case management and referral as well as child safeguarding.
In order to strengthen midwives and medical assistants who serve the IDPs and the vulnerable host community on standard obstetric care, 100 care providers are required to be trained.
Activation of 4 temporary clinics including referral services is necessary. The temporary clinics should provide essential Sexual and Reproductive Health  ( SRH ) s including demand creation for SRH services, Ante Natal Care  ( ANC ) , normal delivery, Family Planning  ( FP ) , Post Natal Care  ( PNC ) , Clinical Management of Rape  ( CMR ) , referral to Emergency Obstetric and Neonatal Care  ( EMONC ) , counselling and Psychological First Aid  ( PFA ) . Temporary clinic consists of midwives, medical doctor, laboratory assistant, pharmacists, and social workers and referral to comprehensive EMONC facilities.
United Nations Population Fund  ( UNFPA )  and Gender Based Violence  ( GBV )  sub sector partners also developed an emergency response plan for GBV prevention and response programming with required budget breakdown. Additional budget of 1,503,450.00 USD is required to fill the gaps which is 69% of the total required budget.
10 tents were delivered to El Geneina to support the establishment and functionality of additional temporary/mobile clinics for sexual and reproductive health services and psychological first aid.
Available information from the area suggests that approximately 60 percent of IDP households in the area were able to cultivate and were harvesting early maturing crops in November.
Reported COVID 19 Cases in Sudan: 13,578 Confirmed, 6,764 Recovered and 836 Deaths as of 22 September 2020
The relatively improved security situation and the favourable rains in 2018 has encouraged some IDPs to return to their areas of origin in Darfur and government controlled areas of South Kordofan and Blue Nile states for cultivation. IOM reported the return of about 108,450 IDPs to their areas of origin in 2018.
The mountainous area of Jebel Marra spans South, Central, and North Darfur and is controlled primarily by the Sudan Liberation Army led by Abdelwahid el Nur  ( SLAAW ) , the most active rebel group in the area. Persistent fighting between the SAF and the SLA/AW since midJanuary 2016 has caused large scale displacement within Jebel Mara.  [ Specific location assessed   Jebel Marra ]
In May 2018, fighting in Sina, Karo, Sabun El Fagur, Gubo, Kor Alnaqi, and Feina led to the displacement of an estimated 16,000 people to various camps and settlements in South and Central Darfur. 12,000 of these individuals were already considered displaced and the fighting led to their re displacement, while 4,000 where newly displaced in the May fighting.
The majority of IDPs are located in displacement camps, though some are displaced in rural highlands. As of November 2018, an estimated 75,000  100,000 people are displaced in Jebel Marra, though this number is unverified given limited access to the area.  [ Specific location assessed   Jebel Marra ]
In Kadugli market, the key market in a government controlled area adjacent SPLM N controlled area, the retail price of sorghum in November was around 175 percent above last year and the five year average.
According to the preliminary findings of the state level post harvest assessment carried out in November in South Kordofan, 2018/19 cereal production is estimated at 392,508 MT, near average but down from 483,399 MT for the 2017/18 season.
According to UNHCR, an estimated 764,400 South Sudanese refugees are residing in Sudan as of November 2018, of whom 30,420 arrived in 2018.
The Humanitarian Aid Commission  ( HCAC )  of the Government of Sudan reports that the number of IDPs across Sudan has reduced from 2.3 million in 2017 to about 1.6 million as in November 2018, most of whom are protracted IDPs in Darfur.  [ specific location assessed   Darfur ]
From mid October until January 2020, some 11,400 CAR refugees sought asylum in Sudan at the border town of Um Dafoug, South Darfur State. As the conflict continued at the border, UNHCR in partnership with the Commission for Refugees facilitated the voluntary relocation of refugees from Um Dafoug to Al Mashaga settlement, a newly identified area where partners mobilized WASH, shelter and other resources to prepare the site in advance to the relocation. Up until the end of June 2020, a total of 2,786 refugees were relocated, 90% of them being women and children and over 780 identified with special needs.
The exception is Jebel Mara in Darfur where fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces  ( SAF )  and the Sudan Liberation Army – Abdel Wahid  ( SLAAW )  persists and some 15,000 to 20,000 people have been newly displaced during the first half of 2018.  [ Specific Locations assessed   Jebel Mara, and Darfur ]
Given relatively higher cereal prices, though, the labor wage to sorghum ToT across key markets are either similar to, or 25 30 percent lower than, last year and three year average. Furthermore, the high cost of labor is expected to increase the cost of wheat production during this season.
Labor wages in November almost doubled compared to May 2018 and are about 170 percent above last year and the recent three year average.
Currently, the goat to sorghum terms of trade  ( ToT )  are 25 50 percent lower than of same period last year and 20 35 percent lower than the three year average.
The retail price of locally produced wheat is similarly high, at 135 percent above 2017 prices and 210 percent above the five year average.
The retail price of locally produced main staples, namely sorghum and millet, are upwards of 160 230 percent above average as a result of the currency devaluation and high transport costs.
According to the Central Bureau of Statistics  ( CBS ) , the national inflation rate was 68.9 percent in November 2018, compared to 24.8 percent in November 2017 and a five year average of 27.1 percent.
The cost of transportation, which has increased 80 to 90 percent from last year, is contributing to higher commodity prices.
Wheat flour shortages have been reported across the country, and prices of food and non food items have increased by 40 60 percent since October.
The Ministry of Agriculture has set a target of 700,000 feddans cultivated, to result in an estimated 947,000 MT of winter wheat production. Approximately 65 percent of the target is within government irrigated schemes in Al Jazeira and Halfa, while the remaining 35 percent is small scale cultivation in Northern, River Nile, White Nile, and Sennar States. Given the above mentioned macroeconomic concerns, it is unlikely this target is being met.  [ specific location assessed   Al Jazeira ]
By October 2018, Sudan further devaluated its currency to 47.5 SDG/USD, though by early December it had depreciated to 70 SGD/USD on the parallel market. The continued shortage of hard currency and the rapid depreciation of the SDG have significantly reduced the private sector and government's ability to import essential raw materials, including fuel.
In late 2017, the Government of Sudan begun to implement significant changes to their economic policy in response to persistent, long term difficulties accessing foreign exchange. Among these changes were the removal of subsidies for wheat and wheat flour imports and devaluation of the Sudanese Pound  ( SDG )  from 6.7 SDG/USD to 30 SDG/USD in February 2018.
November 2019 levels of sorghum and millet prices were on average 60 percent higher than In November 2018 and over 260 percent higher than the recent five year average.
In general, seasonal agricultural wages also have increased by 7 to 10 percent between October and December 2019 and remained 40 percent higher compared to the same period last year and almost double the five year average.
Fuel shortages are continuing to drive up transportation costs across the country to more than double those observed last year. This, combined with high input costs for locally produced items, continues to drive increases in prices for essential, imported and locally produced commodities.
It is therefore recommended to continue ensuring the availability of and stabilizing access to food for the most food insecure populations. This should be done through enhanced access to agricultural and livestock inputs  ( seeds, vaccines, supplementary feed, etc. )  and services, such as capacity building and training to maintain production.
The interviewed fisheries extension officers indicated that the main shocks affecting the sector during the past three months prior to the assessment  ( in order of importance )  were the following: difficulties in marketing the fish due to COVID 19 movement restrictions, a lack of or high fuel prices, an absence of fishing materials, inputs and difficulties to store and/or process the fish. In the Red Sea state, the respondents indicated shortages of ice.
Fisheries are however becoming increasingly commercialized and exploitative in nature in response to increased market pressure. Fishing ships operating in the Red Sea are large and include motorized trawlers and dhows.
During this time, most economic activities continued, while weak public compliance was observed for government imposed restrictions and containment measures. In July, public spaces and businesses officially reopened. However, restrictions on public transportation within cities and between states remain in place, in addition to restrictions on movement and trade with other countries, such as Saudi Arabia, which have limited key exports  ( FEWS NET, 2020 ) .
In terms of water availability, refugees in the East have an average of 32 liters/person/day, which is above the Sphere minimum standard of 20/l/p in post emergency situations. While work is ongoing to provide one latrine per household, refugees in the East share on average one facility between 12 individuals. This average is better than for other refugee populations but needs to continue to be improved.
South Sudanese refugees remain the largest refugee population hosted in Sudan. While new arrivals slowed down compared to the previous year, from January to June 2020 a total of 11,089 individuals arrived in Sudan seeking protection. A large number of refugees live in out of camp settlements in remote and underdeveloped areas, where resources, infrastructure and basic services are extremely limited.
Despite the difficulties, over 350,000 health consultations were provided to refugees and over 310,000 received food assistance. Inter agency partners also worked to strengthen government services, particularly in health and education, to facilitate refugee integration.
Refugees have accessed over 4,000 health consultations and over 300 children with specific needs received assistance. However, the water available to refugees in Khartoum remains very low, at only at 12 liters/person/day. Urban refugees living in Khartoum also have the largest number of persons per toilet/ latrine, at 27 persons per each facility. The standard is less than 20 persons/latrine, aiming for one latrine/ household.
Support on the implementation of sanitary and phytosanitary measures in the downstream value chain  ( i.e. in animal slaughterhouses, trade points and during transportation of food )  should be strengthened and intensified.
Finally, to ensure that food supply chain actors are not at risk of COVID 19 transmission, local level dedicated awareness raising at distribution points, markets, etc. shall be undertaken.
19,491 Central African Refugee  ( CAR )  refugees living in Sudan as of June 2020, including 7,980 new arrivals until June 2020.
The aim is to strengthen environmental protection and conservation for increased food production and the continuity of critical food supply chains. Particular attention shall be given to the reduction of post harvest losses by up scaling post harvest technologies such as small stores at farm or household levels, as well as through the promotion of new technologies for milling and processing.
In addition, most respondents reported no further increases of new agricultural programmes since the onset of the COVID 19 pandemic.
Among the 38 sites the mitigation measures are as follows: Special reporting and referral mechanism of suspected cases has been set up  ( 19 ) , additional handwashing facilities with soap has been set up  ( 16 ) , presence of rapid response teams, mobile awareness campaigns, training the community leaders, lack of local markets, provide hand washing facilities and/or sanitizer during relief items distribution, awareness messages on COVID 19 via radio broadcasting in the local languages  ( 12 ) , along with disinfection of communal spaces such as markets, religious spaces, distribution areas, etc  ( 11 ) .
Based on the survey output: 28  ( 74% )  of the sites had actors and information on measures to be taken if there were suspected cases of COVID 19 in their area, with five locations  ( 13% )  not having coverage, and a further 5 locations  ( 13% )  with coverage but without COVID 19 specific information.
The survey findings in the 38 IDP locations identified 22 service providers representing 58% service coverage in the various locations and 16  ( 42% )  of the locations lacking coverage of an RCCE actor. South Darfur had the largest number of locations without RCCE service providers, while East Darfur had full coverage.
Furthermore, there were several critical healthcare challenges while implementing COVID 19 response activities. These included the non availability of qualified healthcare professionals at the IDP sites in addition to lack of transport and equipment.
Of the 38 sites covered by the survey, 33  ( 87% )  had health actors present either through a health partner or national health service outreach, while five  ( 13% )  of the sites did not have a partner present. The healthcare actors were supported by the availability of 32  ( 84% )  primary healthcare facilities in the IDP sites, while 6 sites  ( 16% )  were not.
Where there were no permanent healthcare facilities within the IDP sites, nearby alternate healthcare facilities were identified. Out of the 38 locations, 12  ( 32% )  locations had nearby primary healthcare facilities, while 26  ( 68% )  did not have a primary healthcare facility within their locality.
Many of these sites  ( IDP )  are densely populated and set up according to minimum humanitarian standards, often with shared basic service facilities  ( water points, latrines etc. ) . Therefore, the usual COVID 19 prevention measures alone may not be sufficient in these settings and health response remains critical to meet any need.
137,765 Refugees living in East Sudan as of June 2020, including 2,535 new arrivals until June 2020.
[ Khartoum ]  Number of refugees children with specific needs receiving assistance is 303, the number of health consultations in health facilities accessed by refugees is 4077, the number of refugees and host community reached with COVID   19 related messaging is 5869, the average number of liters of potable water available per person per day is 12 L and the number of persons per toilet/latrine is 27.
UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, is concerned by recent violence in Sudan's Darfur region, which has caused thousands of people to flee their homes seeking safety – including across the border into Chad.  [  Specific Location Assessed   Darfur ]
In response to the demonstrations, the Sudanese Government has taken temporary actions to improve the availability of bread and cash in Khartoum and other localities, and eleven state governments have closed schools and universities to prevent any security incidents.
The government of Norway confirmed a contribution of USD 1,1 million to Sudan Country Strategic Plan 2019 2023.
Since 20 December, popular demonstrations have taken place in 29 localities across Sudan, including greater Khartoum. The protests were prompted by economic distress that has sharply increased the cost of living in the country.
The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees  ( UNHCR )  is continuing efforts to reduce crowding at reception centers by transporting new arrivals from Kassala's Hamdayet and Gedaref's Abderafi border entry points to Gedaref's Tunaydbah and Um Rakuba refugee camps, located further from the Ethiopia–Sudan border.
As of January 5, more than 56,000 people had fled violence in Tigray to seek shelter in eastern Sudan's Blue Nile, Gedaref, and Kassala states since the outbreak of armed conflict between the Tigray People's Liberation Front  ( TPLF )  and the Ethiopian National Defense Forces  ( ENDF )  in early November, according to the UN.
Below average household purchasing power and extremely high prices for staple foods are the primary drivers of ongoing acute food insecurity; prices for sorghum and millet continued to increase in November and December and reached 240–300 percent higher than their respective 2019 prices and seven times higher than the five year average, reports FEWS NET.
An above average number of households in Sudan will face emergency food assistance needs in 2021 due to the persistent macroeconomic crisis and increased health care needs associated with a recent increase in coronavirus disease  ( COVID 19 )  infections, as well as an ongoing influx of Ethiopian refugees from Tigray Region, according to a December report by the Famine Early Warning Systems Network  ( FEWS NET ) .
In November, UNHCR called for approximately $147 million in donor support to provide assistance through June 2021 for up to 100,000 Ethiopian refugees who may seek shelter in Sudan.
In January, the highest cost of local food basket was recorded in North Kordofan  ( SDG 142.2 )  followed by North Darfur  ( SDG 128.6 ) , while the lowest cost recorded in South Kordofan  ( SDG 108.8 ) .
The national average price of groundnut was higher by 350.0 percent compared to the same month of the previous year, which attributed to inflationary increase in the cost of production.
The average price of groundnut was 6,010 Sudanese pound per Kantar, which is an increase by 18.1 percent compared to the previous month. This large increase in the groundnut prices, is due to the low supply from current season harvest and high cost of inputs, accompanyed by a huge demand for local oil factories and export markets.
Goat prices increased by 39 to 157 percent in all states compared to the same month in the previous year  ( see the chart in Annex 2 on page 8 ) . It also increased by 238 to 443 percent in all states compared to the five years average of January.
The average price of goat was 6,977 Sudanese pound per head, an increase of 4.43 percent over the previous month.
The retail prices of sorghum increased by 179 to 325 percent in all states compared to the same period of the previous year  ( see the chart in Annex 2 on page 8 ) . The prices of sorghum have increased in all states by 634 to 906 percent compared to the average price for the past five years of January.
In January 2021, sorghum retail prices increased in 10 out of 12 states by 2 to 10 percent compared to the previous month. It was significantly increased in North Darfur  ( 9.9 percent ) , East Darfur  ( 8.9 percent ) , West Darfur  ( 8.1 percent ) , South Kordofan  ( 7.6 percent )  and Kassala  ( 5.7 percent ) , while it slightly increased in White Nile  ( 4.6 percent ) , South Darfur  ( 4.4 percent ) , Blue Nile  ( 3.9 percent ) , Red Sea  ( 2.9 percent )  and Central Darfur  ( 2.4 percent ) . It slightly decreased in West and North Kordofan by 1.7 and 1.4 percent, respectively.
[ January, 2021 ]  The average retail price of sorghum is higher by 233.5 percent compared January 2020. It was 734 percent higher than the average of the past five years of January.
The average national retail price of sorghum reached 89.7 Sudanese pound per Kg in January 2021, which is an increase by 3.03 percent compared to December 2020.
In January 2021, the prices of wheat flour increased by 174 to 312 percent in all states compared to the January 2020.
In 2018 the emergency response was supported by the EU, the United States, Canada, Germany, Japan, Sweden, the United Kingdom, the Central Emergency Response Fund  ( CERF ) , the Sudan Humanitarian Fund SHF, as well as UNICEF resources, pooled from public and private donors around the world
On the 18th of December, UNICEF sponsored the Children's Filmmaking Initiative Festival to show twelve short films about the rights of the children produced by 20 children from Kassala, North Darfur, River Nile state and Khartoum.
Discussions with the Local, State and Federal Ministries have advocated for a more engaged response to the Chikungunya outbreak in the Red Sea State and resulted in greater urgency from mobilized officials and improved access to resources. With outbreaks in Kassala and West Darfur subsiding, activities have shifted to post emergency and long term prevention measures including a causation and mitigation study and community discussions involving 697 community members.
Communication for Development  ( C4D ) : In the last months of 2018, the C4D Section focused on the Chikungunya outbreak. By December, the Red Sea State was the priority with 835 health workers trained to promote key behaviour change in 70,187 households and a mass media campaign utilising pamphlets, megaphones and radio broadcasts to target 207,000 individuals.
UNICEF and partners also responded to several disease outbreaks, including Chikungunya, Dengue and Acute Watery Diarrhoea  ( AWD ) , mobilizing resources accordingly as part of an integrated response
In December, UNICEF continued to focus on School Improvement Plans  ( SIP )  and managed to reach 450 school clubs in 30 different schools with SIP training in Central Darfur State. The rehabilitation of seven permanent classrooms has benefited 560 children that now have access to quality education. UNICEF also managed to distribute supplies reaching 26,000 IDPs children in Golo and Tuhur Schools in Central Darfur state.
In addition, UNICEF managed to reach 226,712 emergency affected children  ( 52% girls )  with essential learning and recreational supplies, which represents 91 percent of UNICEF's humanitarian plan targets in terms of supplies distribution. Of the above, total 9,445 refugees' children now have access to education opportunities, and 10,555 refugee children have received essential education supplies.
During the year, 82,810 emergency affected children  ( 52% girls )  have been provided with access to safe learning spaces, despite an overall funding gap of 44 percent. This represents an 83.5 percent achievement of UNICEF's Education humanitarian response plan in terms of the provision of access to education for children.
During 2018, 7,323 Unaccompanied and Separated Children  ( UASC ) ,  ( 4853 boys, 2470 girls )  have been identified and benefited from case management and Family Tracing and Reunification  ( FTR ) .
In 2018, UNICEF and partners reached 194,551 Children  ( 100,003 Boys, 94,548 girls )  through Psychosocial Support Services  ( PSS ) , Child Friendly Spaces  ( CFSs ) , mobile teams and home visits. This total exceeded the target by 66,551 children  ( 152% ) .
In August 2018, an outbreak of Chikungunya virus fever has been reported from Kassala state  ( Eastern Sudan ) . As of the 31st of December, a total of 26,892 suspected cases of Chikungunya fever were reported from 10 States with the bulk of cases reported from Kassala, and Red Sea States. Females represent 56 percent of the total reported cases while children under 5 years of age contributed to 5 percent of the total cases.
Both surveys also reveal that refugees are gradually adopting positive behavior change. Already, 91% of respondents in WNS are washing hands with soap several times a day compared to 84% in the country wide survey, 65% are avoiding large gatherings and 60% are not hugging. These are positive signs that could go a long way in controlling the spread of COVID 19.
Groundnut prices are higher by 37 to 170 percent in all states compared to the five year average of May.
The national average price of sorghum increased by 4.9 percent compared to April 2019. The sorghum price is steadily increasing from the beginning of this year. This increase is mainly attributed to the inflationary increase in the cost of production, demand for export and scarcity of cash
Similarly, 33% of respondents in WNS survey  ( by far the highest )  percentage in the WNS survey mentioned elderly persons with other factors scoring just under 8%. A deliberate effort therefore has to be made to enlighten refugees and asylum seekers on the other risks groups such as people suffering from diabetes, heart problems, HIV, kidney diseases, high blood pressure, hepatitis and obesity.
Both surveys also revealed that refugees are not fully aware of the different risk groups or those most at risk of catching the Corona. Upto 79% of respondents in the country wide survey mentioned older persons as the only at risk groups with the rest of the risk groups scoring below 10%.
However, only 12% and 6% in the country wide and WNS survey said they would quarantine all contacts, giving the general impression that community acceptance of quarantine/isolation is still low.
In the case of an outbreak of COVID 19 in a refugee camp, 36% of respondents in the WNS survey said they would immediately avoid contact compared to 28% in the country wide survey. Statistics on the overall number of respondents who said they would call a health worker or call the hotline are also similar.
Also in both surveys, very few respondents said they could call the hotline number 2020 and 991  ( 3% in WNS and 15% in the countrywide survey ) . This is particularly worrying considering that the hotline is the first point of call
40% of respondents in the country wide survey compared to 39% in WNS expressed that they will consult a health worker if someone presents with COVID symptoms. Others would consult Community leaders and community based networks such as Community Outreach Volunteers
When asked about what they can do to prevent COVID 19, the majority of the respondents mentioned avoiding handshaking, hand hygiene as well as practicing social distancing.
Many respondents know the symptoms and are aware that COVID 19 cannot be cured. 96% of respondents expressed this in WNS compared to 75% in the countrywide survey. Most refugees are aware of the key COVID 19 preventive measures such as washing hands with soap, avoiding large gatherings and social distancing, and avoiding coughing and sneezing in public. This level of awareness can be useful in the fight against the pandemic.
98% of respondents in the White Nile State  ( WNS )  said they heard about the Corona virus compared to all respondents in the countrywide survey. There is also a high level of awareness among refugees that COVID 19. All respondents assessed have heard about COVID 19.
The WASH needs for the refugee population remain high, with an estimated 890,542 refugees in need of WASH assistance. Despite some progress made in 2019, there still remain huge disparities in levels of WASH service provision.
People are also facing higher living costs because of increasing medical costs related to the pandemic, as well as the ongoing economic crisis.  ( after the pandemic )
[ The undernutrition situation in North Darfur, Red Sea, River Nile and East Darfur states affects most vulnerable children under 5, and is also associated with poor WASH conditions. ]  Over 90 percent of the 2.5 million people in need of nutrition support are in localities with severe to high WASH needs. For example, in Haya locality of Red Sea, a high GAM rate of 45 per cent has been linked to poor WASH conditions, as 40 per cent of people do not have access to improved water, and 91 per cent do not have access to improved sanitation. The highest hygiene needs are in South, North and Central Darfur, as well as Al Gezira, White Nile, South Kordofan, Kassala, West Darfur, North Kordofan, Red Sea, West Kordofan, Sennar and Blue Nile. Gedaref, Khartoum, East Darfur, Nile and Abyei also have people in need.  [ Specific location assessed   Al Gezina,and Sennar ]
Water availability is a major challenge, particularly during the dry season in South Kordofan where the underground water is limited, affecting both refugees and host communities.
A rapid deterioration of the local currency in the parallel market has also been recorded.
The remaining 2.6 million people in 89 localities are in medium to low need of WASH assistance. White Nile, Sennar, Gezeira, Kassala, Blue Nile, Khartoum and River Nile states are considered high risk states for AWD and cholera.  [ Specific location assessed   Gezeira and Sennar ]
Nile and Sennar states show critical WASH needs. Blue Nile and East Darfur show very acute as well as chronic WASH needs. 1.59 million vulnerable people in 25 localities are in severe need of WASH support.  [ Specific location assessed   Sennar  ]
In comparison to the same time the previous year, Terms of Trades  ( TOT )  decreased by 41 percent, which was attributed to increased sheep prices by 125 percent and increases in sorghum prices by 279 percent.
According to the same FAO report, the terms of trade  ( TOT )  between livestock and cereals  ( amount of sorghum  ( kg ) /sheep ) , increased by 30 percent in July 2020, compared with June 2020. This means that only 219 kg of sorghum are traded for a sheep.
According to an FAO report on the impacts of COVID 19, livestock exports were also reported to have diminished in most assessed states. In Kassala, for example, the number of exported sheep and camel heads decreased by 23 percent  ( August 2020 ) , compared with July 2020.
Since the start of the COVID 19 pandemic in the Sudan in mid March 2020, the Government confirmed that over 13 400 people contracted the virus, including 833 who died from the disease, as of 5 September 2020  ( Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs  [ OCHA ] , 2020 )
Developing local feed and farming input supply modalities such as the rehabilitation of pasture and the establishment of community seed communication systems and the organization of farmers into producer groups are other key aspects to consider.
High transportation costs of food commodities, due to fuel shortages and increased reliance on costly fuel on the informal market, coupled with limited movement have further impacted food stability in almost all markets.
In Blue Nile State, where the collapse of the Bout Earth Dam on 29 July compromised access to water for over 100,000 people, health and WASH are conducting vector control campaigns in Bout Town, Ed Damazine and El Roseires localities. These include the elimination of breeding sites and vector spraying. Medical materials have been provided to local hospitals and mobile clinics are supporting the response. Partners have also started training environmental personnel on water quality monitoring, with focus on towns and villages were cholera is endemic.
Across Sudan, the heavy rainfall has increased the risk of disease outbreaks and hampered efforts to contain the COVID 19 pandemic. Drainage systems are unreliable, and stagnant water in different locations create conducive conditions for waterborne and vector borne diseases such as cholera, dengue fever, rift valley fever, and chikungunya, in a country with an extremely fragile health system.
The River Nile has also burst its banks in several localities in the River Nile and Northern states, leading to displacement and increased humanitarian needs.
In Jebel Aulya Locality, over 1,500 homes have been destroyed and 570 damaged as the White Nile burst its bank on 27 August, flooding at least five riverine villages. Nearly 46,000 people are affected, most of them sheltering with relatives in the area. The destruction of more than 2,000 latrines in the locality increases the risk of disease outbreaks, at the same time as the two health facilities in the area lack medicines and medical supplies.
In Omdurman Locality, over 762 homes were destroyed, and 1,273 homes damaged following heavy rains and floods since the end of August, according to the Government. Several neighborhoods and roads are still flooded and about 90 per cent of those affected lost all their belongings such as mattresses, blankets, water storage containers and kitchen utensils. Most families whose house have been destroyed need support with emergency shelter
the COVID 19 restriction measures have caused a reduction in the availability of agricultural inputs, especially seeds in some areas, as reported by the interviewed extension officers. This is due to trade disruptions, which also led to a reduction in agricultural labour opportunities and, in turn, households' purchasing power.
According to the latest Integrated Food Security Phase Classification  ( IPC )  analysis  ( July 2020 ) , about 9.6 million people are facing high acute food insecurity  ( IPC Phase 3 and above )  – the highest level ever recorded in the history of the IPC in the Sudan.
Since March 2020, the Government has put in place essential and urgent measures to curb the spread of COVID 19, including curfews, closures of airports and borders, a ban of public gatherings and restrictions on internal population movements.
Up until the end of June 2020, a total of 2,786 refugees were relocated, 90% of them being women and children, and over 780 identified with special needs. Despite COVID 19 restrictions, over 3,500 refugees were registered with COR and over 2,700 received food assistance. A large number of refugees, over 2,700, also received specialized protection assistance and over 3,000 were reached with COVID 19 related messaging. In fact, CAR refugees have only 11 l/p/d, which is below the Sphere standard of 20 l/p/d. There is also a need to build more latrines, as currently refugees on average share one latrine between 22 individuals.
Among the 38 IDP sites surveyed, 10  ( 26% )  had NFI actors present, while the remaining 28  ( 74% )  did not.
NFI materials can also support shielding of vulnerable groups such as the elderly. The provision of NFIs during the COVID 19 period will also support communities to observe recommended WASH protocols by enabling families to collect and store more water which will provide for increased hand washing capacity
Among the 38 sites, the movement restrictions were strictly enforced at 20  ( 53% )  of the IDP sites while at 18  ( 47% )  sites the movement restrictions were not put in place or loosely enforced. These restrictions had a major impact on the lives of IDPs, affecting virtually all aspects of their lives including loss of income, education and other day to day needs.
37% of the surveyed have primary health care facility available inside the camp/site within 1 to 5 km in distance, 29% had primary healthcare facility available within 13 to 18 km and 16% of the surveyed have primary healthcare facility available with over 24km in distance.
Declines in incomes and increases in poverty will have large impacts on food security and nutrition. Even if COVID 19 is short lived, the secondary impacts through inadequate nutrition could be long lasting, especially for young children, whose growth and cognitive development tend to be affected by lack of nutrition.
Many IDPs also lack access to land that can be used for agriculture. Even where land is available, in many cases IDPs have to pay fees for their usage, which further adds to their financial burden and threatens income generating opportunities
Among the 38 IDP sites surveyed, 26  ( 68% )  had food security actors present, while 12  ( 32% )  of the locations did not.
COVID 19 threatens access to food mainly through losses of income and crops.
Although no major food shortages have yet occurred in Sudan, agricultural and food markets are facing disruptions due to labor shortages created by restrictions on the movement of people
COVID 19 mitigation measures have been adopted at 25  ( 81% )  of the sites while the remaining 6  ( 19% )  which were surveyed were yet to put these measures in place
Despite the limited number of actors, 31  ( 82% )  of the sites had NFIs distributed to the IDP population in the past three months  ( May July 2020 ) .
NFI support is an important element in the COVID 19 response strategy. As social distancing is a critical element of the COVID 19 response, decongestion of certain sites may be necessary
Among the IDP sites surveyed, there were only 7  ( 18% )  shelter actors present on the ground and 31  ( 82% )  shelter actors not present among the 38 sites.
The shelters either provided to or constructed by IDPs do not provide sufficient space to practice social distancing or isolation. Where possible and necessary, shelter actors have supported creation of isolation facilities.
Sudan's prudent response to COVID 19 has included restrictions on the movement of people, goods and services which have inevitably affected livelihoods and income generating opportunities.
Of the 38 IDP locations surveyed, 31  ( 82% )  had coverage by a WASH actor, while 7  ( 18% )  did not have any WASH actors present.
The survey identified 19  ( 50% )  of the sites/camps as having child friendly space while the remaining 19  ( 50% )  locations did not have child friendly space.
In terms of child protection, 20 sites  ( 53% )  had actors on the ground, while 18 sites did not have child protection actors present. In relation to child protection support elements, there were 20  ( 53% )  child friendly spaces in the IDP sites and 18  ( 47% )  of the sites lacked these spaces.
COVID 19 also had many indirect effects on protection, ranging from reduction of services to negative coping mechanisms. In order to mitigate some of the impact, advocacy and training materials were provided to focal points and actors on ground to mainstream protection activities while also providing an avenue through which IDPs could share protection concerns.
The major measure taken in response to COVID 19 was to enforce a lockdown which effected all communities, especially IDPs as it further impacted their coping mechanisms.
The prevention and response measures cannot only be medical, but must also address rights and protection challenges, whether they arise from the health crisis itself or the measures implemented to contain it.
In large part, as a result of years of conflict, public health services are not able to provide prevention, treatment and control of epidemic, endemic, occupational and other diseases for all persons living in the country.