Month: January 2023

AMMAN, 13 December 2022- As part of a record global appeal, UNICEF is appealing for US$2.6 billion in emergency funding to deliver lifesaving assistance to over 52.7 million children in need in the Middle East and North Africa in 2023.

“With almost half of the countries in the region living in crisis or undergoing ripple effects of conflicts and wars, children remain the most affected and in massive need of assistance,” said Adele Khodr, UNICEF Regional Director in the Middle East and North Africa. “Year after year, a dire situation gets much worse with many families becoming poorer as they face the impacts of multiple crises,” she added.

The region is home to some of the world’s longest conflicts. Almost 12 years of war in Syria left more than 6.5 million children dependent on assistance. Yemen remains the world’s worst humanitarian crisis, with almost every child in the country dependent on assistance. The compounded crisis in Lebanon, and the instability in Sudan resulted in millions of additional children living in critical conditions.

“If secured, these urgent funds will allow UNICEF to reach children impacted by conflict and humanitarian crises in a timely and relevant manner. UNICEF appreciates all donors who have been essential in making the response to children’s needs in the Middle East and North Africa possible. Timely, predictable and flexible funding are essential to contribute to the wellbeing and welfare of children in the region,” concluded Khodr.

Over the years, UNICEF has been strategic in its approach to responding to conflicts and crises in the region, focusing on not only providing immediate humanitarian assistance but also on strengthening systems, creating risk-informed programmes, and planning and preparing for emergencies.

UNICEF has been conscious of how crucial it is to include local communities and be accountable to the affected populations, collaborating with regional partners to empower young girls and boys and promote their engagement in humanitarian planning. Efforts were also focused on developing partnerships and mobilizing essential resources to ensure long-term progress and impact.

In 2022, UNICEF continued to respond to needs of children and their families across the region.

Key Highlights of UNICEF’s response in 2022 across the region:

Supported around 2.8 million children to get formal and non-formal education and provided 1.2 million children with individual learning materials.

Reached more than 338 thousand children suffering from severe acute malnutrition (SAM) with treatment.

Reached around 13.1 million people with critical water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) supplies and access to safe water for drinking, cooking and personal hygiene.

Reached around 1.4 million households with humanitarian cash assistance.

Bought and distributed around 4.9 million doses of routine vaccines against measles, tetanus, polio, diphtheria, hepatitis B and rotavirus.

Reached more than 780 thousand children and caregivers with mental health and psychosocial support services.

Notes to editors:

The Regional Humanitarian Action for Children Fast Facts can be found here

The Humanitarian Action for Children 2023 and separate appeals for countries can be found here.

The Humanitarian Action for Children appeal for 2023 includes Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, the State of Palestine, Sudan, Syria and the Syrian refugees in neighbouring countries, and Yemen. In addition to a regional appeal and technical support from the Regional Office in Amman to countries that don’t have a standalone HAC appeal. In total, the appeal constitutes to 25 per cent of UNICEF’s financial ask globally.

This appeal does not include the response to the Afghan refugee crisis in Iran, which is included in the regional appeal of our office in South Asia. Iran hosts nearly 3.6 million Afghans, including more than 1 million who have arrived since 2021. Children make up about 40 per cent of the new arrivals.

While Türkiye is not part of the MENA region, the appeal includes the Syrian refugees’ response in the country.

In December 2021, UNICEF appealed for US$ 2.3 billion to respond to children’s needs for 2022. The appeal was revised to a total of US$ 2.4 billion, of which, only half of the funds were received.

Source: UN Children’s Fund

The Revitalised Transitional Government of National Unity (R-TGoNU) should provide adequate security to citizens, an opposition group said.

The National Democratic Movement (NDM), in a statement, questioned why several communities are fighting each other in the three regions of the country.

“In Bahr El Ghazal the insecurity has rekindled historical grievances among sections of the Dinka tribe in Warrap and Lakes state. In Equatoria, clashes between the local population and cattle owners from Jonglei state is a common occurrence,” the statement noted.

The opposition group highlighted the situation in Upper Nile, where a section of the Nuers from Jonglei State are fighting Chollo in Upper Nile State and armed youth from Jonglei State are fighting the Murle in the Pibor Administrative Area.

“Whereas in other areas, the fighting is low-key and follow a familiar pattern, in Upper Nile region it has many worrying dimensions. Of course, any loss of life cannot be tolerated,” partly stated NDM’s statement.

It added, “In Upper Nile region the proxy wars that were taking place between the SPLM-IG and SPLMIO since the onset of the implementation of R-ARCSS in 2018, have boiled over to uncontrollable dimensions”.

The group, led by Lam Akol Ajawin, described the rift among the different factions of the armed opposition (SPLM-IO) as a “violation” of the 2018 peace agreement.

“Although it was a violation of the agreement it was controllable as it did not spread far and wide beyond a number of garrisons. This time the proxy war has gone wild. First, the SPLM-IO split in August 2021 into two factions that fought each other from December 2021 to January 2022,” it observed.

PRESIDENT KIIR ASSURES CITIZENS OF PEACE

Meanwhile, President Salva Kiir recognized security personnel, medical professionals and other front-line workers for their “diligent and relentless” efforts to serve the country, despite the challenges.

In his Christmas message released Saturday evening, the president said the festive season is a time of hope and joy, where “we draw inspiration from our Lord’s universal peace to humankind.”

“On this joyous occasion, on behalf of your government and that of my family, I would like to extend our warmest greetings and best wishes to South Sudanese citizens within the country, in the region and across the world,” he stressed.

The South Sudanese leader urged citizens to cherish the warmth of family and friends and reaffirm their commitment toward peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

Source: Sudan Tribune

KHARTOUM— Chairman of Sudan’s Transitional Sovereign Council Abdel Fattah Al-Burhan reaffirmed the commitment of the military to exit the political process in the country.

Al-Burhan made the remarks in a speech to the nation on the occasion of the 67th anniversary of Sudan’s independence.

“We reiterate the commitment of the military institution to completely exit the political process together with our commitment to protect the transitional period in response to the revolutionary demands and necessities of transition,” Al-Burhan said.

He expressed the hope that the transitional government would be formed with its main programs aimed to find urgent solutions to the economic problems, complete peacebuilding, achieve security and stability and prepare the country for the elections.

Al-Burhan further called on the national and political leaders to unite the ranks and lay foundations for the unity and building of the country.

On Dec. 5, Sudan’s military and civilian leaders signed a political framework agreement to end the political impasse and institute a two-year transitional civilian authority.

Source: Nam News Network

On Friday, members of the Greater Omdurman Resistance Committees and other protesters against the October 2021 coup d’état commemorated the people killed during anti-junta protests on December 30 last year. During the December 26 demonstrations, at least 42 protesters sustained injuries. The Public Prosecutor decided to form a committee to investigate the use of ‘stone launchers’ by government forces against demonstrators in the Sudanese capital.

Participants in the marches that moved toward the Parliament building not far from the Nile river, demanded the overthrow of the putschists and the formation of a civilian government. Government forces confronted them with an excessive use of tear gas and stun grenades. An unknown number of demonstrators was injured.

The day before, on Thursday, members of the resistance committees in Khartoum marched to the Africa Road (popularly known as Airport Road) in Khartoum to protest against the military rulers, under the slogan The Revolution Continues. They were also dispersed by tear gas and stun grenades.

In a statement, signed by all resistance committees in Khartoum, the grassroots activists said they will continue “until the putschists have been overthrown and civilian rule has been established”. The resistance committees strongly condemned the recent attacks on villages in Beleil, South Darfur, and accused the Rapid Support Forces to be involved.

In Wad Madani, capital of El Gezira, similar marches took place on Thursday.

December 26

The demonstrations against the military junta, organised in Khartoum on December 26, were met with tear gas as well. Government forces stopped protesters at the Sharwani Parking Lot from entering El Gasr Street, which leads to the Republican Palace. In Omdurman, forces prevented protesters to reach the old Omdurman-Khartoum bridge with tear gas as well.

The Central Committee of Sudanese Doctors (CCSD) reported 42 injuries in the December 26 Marches of the Millions. One protester was hit by a rubber bullet, four others by tear gas canisters. Another demonstrator was wounded when he was run over by a government vehicle.

Lawyers denounced the violence used against peaceful protesters and the statement of the governor of Khartoum on Monday saying that the demonstrations were infiltrated by saboteurs.

Osman El Basri, member of the Emergency Lawyers told Radio Dabanga that the role of the security forces is to protect the demonstrators and only intervene when riots may take place. “Yet, the security forces assaulted the demonstrators by shooting at them, beating them, and detaining them, while the processions went peaceful and no private or public property was attacked.”

Investigation

El Basri welcomed the decision of the Public Prosecutor to assign a committee to investigate the security forces alleged use of tear gas launchers to shoot stones and glass sherds at demonstrators.

His colleague Saleh Saeed ridiculed the idea of an investigation committee. “This doesn’t mean anything,” he told Radio Dabanga on Wednesday. “Every government force has its prosecutor, who naturally knows the type and number of weapons its members have.”

In end November, lawyers submitted a memorandum to the Attorney General in which they called for an “immediate investigation into the use of a new lethal weapon by the security forces to disperse demonstrators calling for civilian rule [..] which led to the death of Mohamed Omar and Mohamed Nadir”.

Source: Radio Dabanga