Tough Choices in Darfur Impact the Rest of Sudan As Well

by Michael Bear

category: Humanitarian Relief

Published May 08, 2009 @ 03:02PM PT

This is the third of three pieces looking at some of the challenges facing aid agencies expelled from Darfur, as well as those still operational in the region. Part 1 is here, and Part 2 is here.

These are adapted from a longer article I wrote - Tough choices for agencies expelled from Darfur - which just went up on the Humanitarian Practice Network.

Dilemma #3 - Decisions in Darfur affect the rest of Sudan as well

Most of the focus so far has been on how the expulsion of aid agencies impacted Darfur, yet the expulsions had a dramatic impact on other parts of Sudan as well - especially the Transition Areas (Southern Kordofan, Blue Nile, and Abyei) and eastern Sudan.

The Sudanese government’s expulsion order affected five agencies working in Abyei, three agencies in Southern Kordofan, three agencies in eastern Sudan and one of the largest aid agencies working in Blue Nile, effectively crippling the humanitarian response in many of these areas.

The humanitarian situation in the Transition Areas and eastern Sudan was grim even before these agencies were expelled.

In Blue Nile, 15% of children under five suffer from moderate or severe malnutrition, while only 29% of children attend primary school. Blue Nile also has the lowest life expectancy for women in Sudan.

If anything, the situation is even worse in eastern Sudan – Kassala and Red Sea states have the highest malnutrition rates in the country, as well as high maternal and child morbidity and mortality rates.

Donors, the UN and NGOs are faced with many of the same dilemmas as in Darfur.  If remaining aid agencies expand to fill the gaps, then does this show the Sudanese government that they can, in fact, act with impunity?  That if they expel NGOs, others will always rush to take their place?

The situation is even more fraught for any expelled agencies offered the chance to return.  Would agencies be willing to accept increased government control over budgeting decisions, hiring decisions or even over programme? At what point do agencies cease to be independent actors, and instead become tools of the regime in power?

Finally, the situation is further complicated by the fact that development activities were supposed to underpin not only the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in the Transitional Areas, but the 2006 Eastern Sudan Peace Agreement as well.  The question is not just the future of Darfur, but the future of Sudan.

[Photo of Beja tribesmen in eastern Sudan from the New York Times]