Humanitarian Financing

WASH project in Dereige camp, South Darfur Fatima, a widowed mother who found refuge in a camp for displaced people in South Darfur, eagerly fills her family’s jerry cans. “This was like a miracle for us,” she says. Basics such as water and sanitation are extremely scarce in bone-dry Dereige, an internally displaced persons (IDP) camp that houses over 25,000 people. Hundreds of families have found shelter in the camp since 2003 when violence caused them to flee their communities.

Sudan CHF Issues Emergency Funds for Diphtheria Outbreak in Darfur
On 10 December, 2011, the CHF allocated $314,730 to WHO Sudan, to address a sudden outbreak of diphtheria in Northern Darfur. Through the Federal and State Ministries of Health, WHO will conduct a mass vaccination campaign, targeting 110,000   people  in the  southeastern locality of El Taweisha. This timely intervention, expected to be completed by January 20th, 2012, will lead to containment of the outbreak and avoiding any deaths due to diphtheria. CHF funds will be used to procure diphtheria antitoxin and vaccines, conduct an emergency vaccination campaign, promote community awareness and strengthen disease surveillance.
Dr. Anshu Banerjee, WHO Representative in Sudan, notes: “Funds from the Sudan CHF Emergency Reserve have allowed health sector partners to quickly respond to a serious outbreak. This outbreak happened because of long term inaccessibility to vaccinate children due to the armed conflict in this area. Therefore, any gap in our response could have led to the spread of a vaccine-preventable disease throughout Sudan and possibly into neighbouring countries”.
Diphtheria – Quick Facts: Diphtheria, historically one of the most common causes of death in children, has largely been eradicated in industrialized nations through widespread vaccination. However, when vaccination rates fall, cases still occur, as diphtheria is a highly resurgent disease - it has been cited in the Guinness Book of World Records as the "most resurgent disease". In many parts of the world diphtheria is still common. Persons who do not receive adequate immunization, are most at risk of contracting this very contagious bacterial infection that usually attacks the mouth, throat, nose and skin. Left untreated, the bacteria will release a toxin that can then attack the nerves and heart. The membrane that forms over the tonsils can also move deeper into the throat and block the airway. In Sudan, the vaccine for diphtheria, known as the Penta vaccine, is given in combination with tetanus, pertussis, Hepatitis B and Hib vaccines. A child should have received three shots by 12 months of age.

The Sudan CHF Interim Report for 2011 is now on available. In addition to a detailed description on allocations, the report includes information on the current financial position, project output targets, field monitoring missions, National NGO outreach and donor contributions. The report also provides useful information on the referendum-related contingency planning funding from CHF, an update on challenges addressed during the year, progress on gender and the 2012 allocation model features.

Humanitarian Coordinator issues a General No-Cost Extension (NCE) for majority of 2011 CHF projects

The Humanitarian Coordinator has issued a General No-Cost Extension (NCE) to the majority of projects funded by the CHF in 2011 that allows an extension up to 30 April 2012. This means that those projects which have not completed their work by end of year, 31 December 2011, may be granted a no cost extension without the need to submit a request for one. Projects must meet the specific criteria in order to be eligible.

1. The project eligible for the comprehensive NCE must be a standard allocation, as opposed to emergency reserve or special  allocations. Emergency and special allocations are meant to be rapid and short-term. While these types may at times require NCEs they would not be covered by the proposed comprehensive arrangement.

2. The project eligible for the comprehensive NCE must require additional time to complete the objectives of the project. In fact not all CHF-funded standard allocation projects require NCE's. Some are able to complete their objective in a period shorter than the proposed period.

3. The extended period provided by the comprehensive NCE will not exceed the period 1 January to 30 April of the following year.

OCHA Proposes Ambitious CHF Allocations Timeline for 2012

In an effort to respond to participants’ request for earlier disbursements and more strategic allocation decision, the OCHA HFS has put forward an ambitious schedule for the first round allocation 2012. The CHF allocation process has been brought into greater harmony with the Sudan Humanitarian Work Plan with a goal to complete the allocations process by early February. Actual disbursement will depend on donor contributions, nevertheless, partners are supportive and taking up the challenge. Click here for the Sudan CHF 2012 1st Round Timeline.

OCHA Strengthens Monitoring with Site Visits to Darfur

Monitoring and reporting is a priority for OCHA in 2011 and beyond. In addition to revising the CHF Monitoring and Reporting Framework, OCHA has implemented a monitoring plan that includes site visits and participant self monitoring. Two monitoring missions took place in August and September to visit a variety of projects in North and South Darfur states. Mercy Corps Scotland (MCS) is increasing access to water for IDPs in South Darfur using CHF grants. By installing a borehole and pumping water 3km to the Dereige IDP camp, MCS has been able to establish new water points throughout the camp. IDPs can now more easily retrieve water and receive the minimum standard amount of water per person per day.

Relief International (RI) is using CHF funds to address malnutrition in the Zamzam IDP camp in North Darfur. Through outpatient therapeutic programmes and supplementary feeding centers, RI is treating severe and moderate malnutrition for previously displaced and newly displaced children. IDPs now have greater access to community-based malnutrition services and supplies.

OCHA Conducts outreach to National NGOs

The OCHA Humanitarian Financing Section delivered an orientation session for National NGOs on the Humanitarians Work Plan (HWP) and Common Humanitarian Fund (CHF) on 29 September 2011.The orientation represents a step forward in building the capacity of NNGOs. There were 35 participants from 33 NNGOs. In the end of the session, participants had a discussion on the factors hindering participation of NNGOs in the CHF and the possible support to address them. Click here for the full report.