Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative

Project Update July 2013

IOM OIM

Students smile as class starts at Abyei Basic School, constructed through the Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative.

Background
The USAID-financed Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative began in response to dire needs in the Abyei area resulting from armed conflict in the lead up to and following the referendum on South Sudan in 2011 as well as longstanding tensions between the Misseriya and Ngok Dinka. Issues of Misseriya and Ngok Dinka grazing rights, border demarcation, control of oil and other concerns continue to be highly contentious in the Abyei area. in July 2011 brought an increase in stability to the area, and with it a small-scale level of returns. However, the shooting of the Ngok Dinka Paramount Chief in May 2013 has resulted in renewed tensions and displacement. It remains to be seen what effects this incident will have on future returns to the Abyei area.

In order to make potential returns sustainable, when and as they occur, there is a necessity to rehabilitate vital A full-scale attack on Abyei town in May 2011 caused the public infrastructure.Through the works that commenced displacement of a majority of the Ngok Dinka population in January 2013 as part of the Abyei Rehabilitation to the south of the River Kiir, representing an estimated Initiative, priority infrastructure including schools, health 105,000 forcibly displaced people. During the attacks, clinics and potable water systems have been rehabilitated hundreds of homes were razed and much of the public in coordination with returnee communities in order to infrastructure was damaged, looted or destroyed. ensure that those who do choose to return have access to adequate basic services. The project also provides The demilitarization of Abyei and establishment of the assistance to Misseriya pastoralists who travel with their United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA) cattle along established migratory routes in the Abyei area.

Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative Project Progress (as of 15 July)

Outcomes Output Targets Construction Status Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Handover

Returnees and nomads are benefitting from improved access to clean water

UNDP water yard Goli water yard Mekines water yard Rumamier water yard Noong water yard Water yards rehabilitated Marial Achak water yard and functional/Organized Al Radiya water yard and functional community Wunrouk water yard water committees in place Baloom water yard and functional Mekines water yard Abyei Secondary School for Girls water yard Abyei Marketplace water yard

School facilities in Abyei Area are rehabilitated, expanded and furniture Returnees to Abyei area benefit from improved access to education facilities and provided. Parent-TeacherCommunity (PTCA) improved learning environment Associations organized and functional

Basic School for Boys

Completed

June

Wunrouk Primary School Abyei Secondary School for Girls Abyei Secondary School for Boys Wunrouk Clinic Marial Achak Clinic Abyei Hospital Diffra Clinic Mekines Clinic

Completed Completed Completed Completed Completed Near Completion 90% 90%

June June June June June June June

Returnees benefit from improved access to basic health services

Basic health facilities refurbished and functional

Water Access
The Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative has improved twelve water points to ensure that both the Ngok Dinka and Misseriya communities have safe access to clean drinking water. It is estimated that up to one million cattle belonging to Misseriya pastoralists migrate through Abyei each year. The initiatives balanced approach of addressing both the needs of those who decide to return to Abyei and the needs of the Misseriya travelling through the area serves to reduce tensions and mitigate risks as improvements benefit both communities. Rehabilitating water yards along identified Misseriya migration routes also reduces the necessity for the Misseriya to travel with their cattle near Ngok Dinka-inhabited areas for water, thus decreasing the likelihood for potential confrontation.

Captions (top to bottom): Construction work on a water yard in Abyei town; A resident of Abyei town utilizes a tap stand near the Secondary School for Boys.

Education
The lack of functioning schools in the Abyei area has been cited as a leading concern by many returnees. Many of those who returned with the intention of settling back in their previous locations tended to do so without their children, who remained enrolled in schools in Agok and other areas of displacement. Four schools in total have been rehabilitated through the initiative. One school, the Abyei Basic School for Boys, has been opened to date, and is currently attended by approximately 200 boys and girls. Local authorities plan to open the other three schools at the start of the next semester. These education interventions are focused on rehabilitating key infrastructure in a manner that will not be perceived as constituting a pull factor for the displaced to return, while ensuring that those who choose to do so can have access to minimum levels of support. Parent-Teacher-Community Associations (PTCAs) have been established for each of the rehabilitated schools, in order to instill a sense of community ownership and sustainability. Furthermore, the schools are serving the community by providing employment opportunities. So far, six teachers have relocated back to Abyei town to work.

We [the staff] are very happy with the school, and the community is also happy that their children have a place to go.
Michael Deng Adok English and Math Teacher Abyei Basic School for Boys

Captions (top to bottom): A building at the Basic School for Boys before rehabilitation; Basic School for Boys after rehabilitation; building desks for classrooms;Wunrouk Primary school after rehabilitation, with water point.

Health Services
In a region with some of the worlds worst health indicators, Abyeis already limited health care capacity was further diminished by the destruction and general neglect of clinics and hospitals during the conflict. Through the Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative, four clinics and one hospital in the Abyei area have been rehabilitated. These facilities serve both the Ngok Dinka host and returnee communities as well as the Misseriya community. The sites were selected for rehabilitation in coordination with community members and local leadership. Abyei Hospital, the largest health care facility in the area, is currently staffed and operational, providing vitally-needed public health services. IOM and local authorities are also working with the World Health Organization and other partners to supply the new health facilities with drugs and medical staff, in order to ensure long-term sustainability. As with the education projects, the rehabilitation of these facilities is bringing both skilled and unskilled employment opportunities to the area.

Compared to 2011, the hospital has improved very much. We appreciate this support, and how it is allowing us to better help our patients.
Anyuon Padang Deng Administrator Abyei Civil Hospital

Captions (top to bottom):The Abyei Hospital during rehabilitation;The entrance of the hospital after rehabilitation;Wunrouk Clinic before rehabilitation;Wunrouk Clinic after rehabilitation.