Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Day 246 - On A Lighter Note

I don't know about you but I have never seen a doctor with such a diverse range of treatments and problem solving. I introduce you to Dr. Saleh, traditional doctor, from Tanzania...

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Day 241 - One In Three

These are not my words but I read this article this morning and decided I wanted to share it with you....

January 8, 2012 (BOR) – South Sudan’s first full year as an independent nation will be characterised by hunger if urgent action is not taken to address the consequences of poor harvests, price hikes, conflict and displacement, a UN report says.

IDPs wait to receive food rations and other items from the WFP at a distribution point in Pibor town, Jonglei 21 March 2009 - (photo UN)
A UN report, published on Wednesday, found that over half of South Sudan’s eight million population will be food insecure and over one third will require food aid in 2012.

The joint report by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Programme (WFP) found that the number of food insecure people will increase by over 40% to 4.7 million, up from 3.3 million.

The number of severely food insecure people has also increased from 900,000 to 1 million, the report carried out in October and November discovered.

Commissioned by the government of South Sudan’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, the research was carried out before a peak in violence in Jonglei and, more recently Unity and Warrap States.

Cattle raids have affected 140,000 in Jonglei since December, while in Warrap 3,000 people were displaced and 40,000 people have had their livelihoods affected after their livestock was stolen in January.

If such incidents continue to cause major population displacements and food prices keep rising, the report estimates that the number of people who are severely food-insecure could double.

In the seven months since South Sudan’s independence the country has had to cope with high inflation and increasing food prices, and an increased demand on resources caused in part by the large number of returnees from North Sudan.

Rebellions, cattle raiding, and banditry in meany areas have meant that many areas have not produced as much they could.

All these factors have led to a shortfall in cereal production. The new nation would be in a better position to cope with the stress on resources were it not for the grain scandal that saw billions of dollars disappear into fake business that were supposed to buy grain and build stores in case of emergencies.

In an interview with the BBC broadcast on Tuesday, the UN chief for South Sudan that the government must back up its words on corruption with action.

"This is a rapidly approaching crisis that the world cannot afford to ignore," said Chris Nikoi, WFP’s country director in South Sudan. "The situation is dire, and we are doing everything we can to be ready, but we are running out of time."

“We need to enable households to first have quick access to safe, nutritious food and other basic necessities, but in order to restore and sustain food and nutrition security in South Sudan, we need to break the cycle of increasing hunger and poverty. We can do this by helping people to resume the farming, livestock and other activities that support their livelihoods,” said George Okeh, the head of the FAO’s South Sudan office.

National cereal production in South Sudan dropped 19% between 2010 and 2011, falling to 25% less than the average over the last five years. In 2012, the assessment found, there will be a cereal deficit of more than 470,000 metric tons – ’almost half of the country’s total consumption requirements for the year’.

South Sudan’s lack of access of international markets has meant that the deficit has not corrected itself, according to the report. The situation has been compounded by the closure of the border with North Sudan since independence as various disputes remain unresolved.

What food is imported into South Sudan struggles to reach or be affordable to those who need it due to poor infrastructure and high fuel prices.

FOOD AID IN 2012

In 2012 WFP is aiming to provide 150,000 metric tons of food to 2.7 million vulnerable people, focusing on ’children and nursing mothers, internally displaced people, refugees and returnees’, the report said.

However, the report said WFP and its partners are preparing for if the situation in South Sudan deteriorates further. The report said the UN was ready to try and raise more than the $160 million that was initially planned for this year’s operation.

Monday, February 6, 2012

Day 238 - Reality

I have been meaning to write about the situation in South Sudan because every day, since December actually, however every time I think about writing it seems to be more difficult to sit down and start writing.

Hostilities within South Sudan are rising. Conflicts between tribes and communities throughout South Sudan, which were put aside for independence, are resurfacing. While I was home for Christmas violence erupted in Jonglei between Luo Nuer and Murle tribes and it has continued up until now. Local commissioners in these communities claim that 3000 have been killed. The UN estimate the number of people killed is at least half that. There are articles usually every other day stating that there have been more raids on villages, more people killed, more cattle raided and more children kidnapped. UN figures state that the raids and attacks in Jonglei have displaced over 100,000 people. The need to disarm the civil populations in Jonglei state is being stressed, however this is a difficult thing to do. These conflicts between the two tribes all started by cattle raiding and child abduction. Attacks are continuing, another 13 people were killed in Akobo and Bor, both in Jonglei, just yesterday.

Cattle rustling has been slowly increasing in Warrap state, Unity state and Lakes state. It is being reported that some of the attacks happening involve state government members.

And the conflict with the North over oil. President Bashir (Sudan) raised the prospects of war between Sudan and South Sudan. Ridiculous.

So to say the least, tensions are rising, however everything that is happening feels like it is miles away. Juba has not been affected by these conflicts. We still have our bouts of violence, it is still not all that safe to be out and about at night, but that is a normal thing in a city. According to a friend (I was unaware of this until a while ago) a number of local police were laid off, so there were unemployed angry ex-police officers on the streets with guns. So the risk of violence on the streets of Juba has increased slightly. Kenyans and Ugandans here are the most vulnerable to violence it seems. There is a lot of resentment towards them, mainly due to the fact a lot of them come here for work meaning that local people are left unemployed while foreigners are taking their jobs. This does not create an environment where everyone is living peacefully with each other. In order to keep our drivers safe, and our staff, we have had a curfew set during the week for 10pm, which slightly frustrating but it is the reality of living in an unstable country. Giving up some of your freedom is difficult but absolutely necessary. Very eye opening for me. If you are on the outside, not in South Sudan, not in Africa, reading about the violence going on here it most likely seems somewhat frightening. It feels different being here. Jonglei is far away from Juba. We are kind of in the middle away from the worst at the moment. Things here are normal except for hearing stories from friends who are working with the people affected by the violence in Jonglei. One of my friends in particular was working directly with the MediVacs coming in from Jonglei over Christmas and continuing into the New Year. He was experiencing the violence from a distance. He was witnessing the aftermath. In one week his daily routine was entirely changed from directly flights and whatever else he does, to directly flights with wounded people on them and trying to help save their lives.

Hearing stories of people who have been here for years, or worked here before 2009 makes it seem like a different place. A curfew was a must. The sound of gunfire and bombs were normal sounds. It didn’t stop you from going about your business. To of these people the sight of a gun doesn’t faze them anymore. I may have said something about this in a previous post but I really notice the guns. I notice when truck with soldiers sitting in the back with their guns pointing into the crowds and passing vehicles, either because they have never been taught how to proper and safely hold a gun or they just don’t care. Regardless of whether someone is meaning to point a gun at me or not, I do not appreciate it and I hope there is never a day when it doesn’t phase me anymore.

So, this is a glimpse of the reality of living in a war torn country. Living in a new country with a new government. Everyday I witness and am a part of this country try to get its feet up underneath it. And everyday it is a struggle but no one has given up yet.

Days go by just as they did before, however, now they start with reading the new article about who is fighting who now or what issues are being raised that day…This being said, my life has not changed much since before Christmas, since the level of violence in the country has increase...Peace will come one day. That is all we can hope for.

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Day 236 - 300th Hash

I was privileged enough to experience the 300th Juba Hash. I almost missed it due to a late staff meeting but thanks to me changing at lightening speed and the driving skills of one of our drivers I made it just in time. This Hash consisted of teams, 5 games interspersed throughout a 6.5km running route, the normal beer, water and traditional Hash songs and naming, and a one time thing...dinner! My team was great. We didn't win the overall festivities but we had fun. One of the games we had to dress up in a red dress and run with an egg to the designated spot and run back to the team. Each member had to do it. We actually had a skrit and button up top so it was more difficult to do this with speed. We felt cheated. And the first game we played involved blindfolds and one team member being our eyes. To say the least our team failed miserably and didn't even get back to the start of the little trail we were supposed to make it thru. At least we entertained the other teams. Dinner was alright. Vegetarian option was pretty lame but oh well. I met some new people which is always grand and we had some good conversation. It was a long Hash but fun, I am happy I was able to make it.