Author: SCIO@maf.org (SCIO) Date: 2000-04-10 Christian communities of Southern Sudan are deeply concerned about the suspension of humanitarian services because of disagreement between SPLM/A and certain international NGOs regarding their signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). However, the suspension of funding by ECHO to humanitarian agencies who have signed the MOU and continue to serve in the SPLM/A-controlled areas only adds to the suffering of innocent civilians and does not contribute to solving the problem between the SPLM/A and the NGOs involved. We therefore call upon the European Union member states to direct ECHO to resume immediately funding to those agencies which continue their humanitarian programmes serving the needy people. We also call upon SPLM/A and the international NGOs to resolve the issue of the MOU urgently. Signed: Dr Haruun Ruun for New Sudan Council of Churches (NSCC) Fr. Damian Adugu for Sudan Catholic Bishops' Regional Conference (SCBRC) Notes on Humanitarian Situation in Southern Sudan - The 12 international NGOs which declined to sign the SRRA MoU and left SPLM-controlled areas of Sudan at the end of February estimate that programmes worth US$ 32 million serving 1.6 million people have been affected by their withdrawal. - ECHO provides 20-25 million Euros in funds to Sudan each year, of which about 2/3 is for southern Sudan. ECHO estimates that about 50% of its programmes to southern Sudan have been lost as a result of the withdrawal of these international NGOs. - Of 18 ECHO contracts for southern Sudan (including RASS areas), the suspension of ECHO funding has left 5 unaffected, 7 partially affected and 6 cancelled. - The 49 NGOs remaining in Sudan, along with UN agencies and ICRC, are under pressure to cover the shortfall. Some programmes belonging to the NGOs which withdrew are already being implemented by the remaining NGOs, thus reducing the impact of the withdrawal. However suspension of ECHO funding will put these remaining NGOs under even more pressure. - Churches are also under pressure to provide humanitarian services in areas where NGOs have left. - As well as the direct effect of suspension of programmes, there is a significant indirect effect on the local economy as Sudanese staff are laid off and cash ceases to circulate. - Observers believe that the famine in the Horn of Africa will not affect Sudan as badly as some other countries, but there will be pockets of serious famine in Upper Nile, Bahr el-Ghazal and Eastern Equatoria, exacerbated by displacement of people from Upper Nile due to the conflict around the oilfields. Funding from major donors, including ECHO, will be needed to cope with this famine. -Charles Omondi SCBRC Communication Officer and SCIO Editor