Water and Sanitation

The food security and livelihoods component of the programme is executed in partnership by SC-UK and VCD. It focuses on enhancing the food security of communities and increasing the options that they have to respond to stress placed on their livelihood patterns by the continued war and occasional drought. The programme seeks to alleviate vulnerability through the distribution of seeds and tools, livestock activities, the distribution of fishing material and technical support to the continuing development and implementation of livelihood information systems.

In 2006, Clashes resulting from the disarmament process and flooding interfered with food security and livelihood activities i.e. cultivation and normal seasonal migration during the planting season. The situation was further worsened by heavy rains which caused unconfirmed destruction to shelter, displacement and restricted local movement as well as humanitarian access to the affected populations. However, this situation was mitigated by distribution of emergency relief items such as mosquito nets, blankets, fishing equipment and building of 20 fishing boats for the fishermen in Jonglei State through support from the VCD Emergency Project funded by SC-UK .

VCD supported communities in Jonglei and Unity States in 2006 by:

• + Training of youth and women groups in horticulture and agro-forestry.
• + Conducted a nutrition study in conjunction with SC-UK through MICRODE CONSULT in three counties of Unity State
• + Training fishermen in fish harvesting, handling, preservation, personal and food hygiene.

PROJECT GOAL -

To improve the health status and livelihood of returnees, IDPs and host communities living in Jonglei and Unity States by the end of March 2008.

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES-

1. By mid July 2007, returnees and host communities will have increased access to river transport through the provision of one boat engine along the River Nile in Jonglei and Unity States
2. At the end of October 2007, entire communities will have increased supply of fresh fish through training of fishermen, provision of fishing equipment and construction of two community fish storage facilities in Menime and Ganyliel.
3. To impart knowledge, attitude and skills among health workers and community leaders in Jonglei and Unity States on community mobilisation and awareness campaigns against the spread of HIV/AIDS infection by the end of 2007.
4. Reduce the incidence of diarrhoeal diseases among children of returnees, IDPs and host communities through training in Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation in Jonglei and Unity States by end of April 2008.
5. By the end of March 2008, all VCD local staff members will have acquired knowledge and developed skills in programme planning and management through hands-on training.
6. Trained good numbers of local authority leaders, community members to be able to organised and help in the events of emergency such as flood or draught on emergency preparedness.

BENEFICIARIES-

The main target groups to benefit from this project include f ishermen, women groups, local authorities/community leaders and youth groups. Specifically, the following groups and approximate numbers of population will benefit:

• + 5000 households or approximately 30000 people will be direct beneficiaries
• + 500 households of returnees and IDPs will direct beneficiaries from fishery training and provision of fishing equipment
• + Entire communities will have increased access to river transport
• + 50 community leaders will benefit from training on emergency preparedness
• + 200 fishermen to benefit from fishery training and fishing equipment
• + 1100 households indirect beneficiaries from fishery training and community fish storage facilities
• + 10 VCD staff through training and remuneration
• + VCD as an organisation will build its capacity through provision of equipment

Project Justification and Activities -

Introduction

There is a need for various activities in the area of food security, livelihood, environment and public health to the needy communities in Jonglei and Unity States. Specific proposed activities are as follows:

Fishery production and capacity building

Previously, VCD has supported the building of 20 boats, distribution of fishing equipments and training of a few local fishermen on the Code for Responsible Fishing. This code sets out principles and international standards of behaviour for responsible practices with a view to ensuring the effective conservation, management and development of living aquatic resources, with due respect for the ecosystem and biodiversity. The Code recognizes the nutritional, economic, social, environmental and cultural importance of fisheries and the interests of all those concerned with the fishery sector. Therefore, VCD seeks to build further the capacity of more local fishermen in South Sudan in on the Code of Responsible Fishing. Furthermore, VCD proposes to build a community store for fish and purchase boat engines and materials for a fish processing unit.

HIV/AIDS Training

Currently, Sudan has the highest rate of new HIV/AIDS infection in North Africa and Middle East Region. This might be particularly more severe in Southern Sudan States where there are insufficient health facilities/services and low level of HIV/AIDS awareness. Consequently, this requires to be urgently addressed through training and awareness campaigns for the local community, especially among the remote fishing communities and returnees who are more vulnerable.

PHAST Training

Based on the findings of the nutrition study which was conducted by VCD/SC-UK through MICRODE CONSULT in June 2006 in Unity State, majority of the malnourished children were those who had recently suffered from diarrhoeal diseases due to poor hygiene and sanitation. This also requires immediate intervention through training of local communities in Participatory Hygiene and Sanitation Transformation (PHAST) and provision of safe water. This will also be accomplished by digging of boreholes in swampy areas such as Menime and Haat which are in Ayod County. VCD has confirmed that there is no any borehole in these areas. Currently, the local communities in Menime and Haat are using swampy water which is not safe for drinking as it predisposes the people, especially children to diarrhoeal diseases and hence malnutrition.