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SUDAN - Aweil Integrated Project

Country:  SUDAN

Project Title:  Aweil Integrated Project

Project Designation:  1508

The Need:

Aweil South County is situated in the Northern Bahr el Ghazal region of South Sudan. There appears to be an improvement in acreage planted by farmers in South Aweil, but still this remains inadequate to meet household requirements given the recent rise in population due to returnees. The situation is expected to worsen with the current estimated influx of returnees. As such the community remains dependent on humanitarian aid. World Food Program (WFP) plans to continue delivering food aid in the area. However, the relief food dropped by WFP, whenever it comes acts as a buffer for household food stocks, but never makes up the total food deficit. General food distributions are usually more than three months apart, creating more stress on the households during the hunger gap. More than 68.5% of the households are currently registered for food aid, but few actually receive it. It is estimated that about 750,000 returnees [both internally displaced people (IDP) and refugees] returned to their homes in Southern Sudan this year. Malnutrition continues to be a burden on the community, with rising prevalence rates noticed in the last two years. Floods in some parts as well as poor rainfall patterns in other parts have resulted in destruction of 35% of farm produce. It is predicted that if the increased vulnerability of the population is not addressed immediately, the result will be an increase in under-five mortality related to malnutrition.

WRC’s Response:

Start:  April 1, 2008  End:  March 31, 2011

The total population in the area is 237,878. This project is an extension of a previous project in the same region, and is the first year of a three-year project. In addition to Health and Nutrition, this project has now added Food Security elements as well. The direct beneficiaries are malnourished children, their mothers/caregivers and pregnant and lactating women. The program objectives are as follows:

1) Improved nutritional status of 4,500 moderately malnourished children under five and 1,000 pregnant/lactating mothers.

2) Improved nutritional status of 1,000 severely malnourished children under five.

3) Improved capacity of the community, local health staff and MOH in the diagnosis and management of malnutrition.

4) Increased food availability and improved knowledge about sustainable agricultural practices.

5) Production and use of high energy protein porridge using locally available foods.

RECENT SUCCESSES:

As of September 30, 2009

1) 3073 of proposed target children were admitted. 542 malnourished pregnant/lactating women were admitted.

2) 59.3% children have been admitted in the outpatient therapeutic programme.

3) 7 CHWs, 18 vaccinators/2 MCHWs trained on identification of malnutrition.

4) 4464 caretakers and 802 pregnant/lactating women received health messages at feeding centres.   Though it is difficult to measure precisely, but the mothers in the nutrition programme have increased knowledge on jygiene - this was measured by the need of laundry soap which is expressed by the beneficiaries at each feeding round.

5) 3 agriculture extension workers have been sent for 3-months training.

6) 1,139 farmers received soya bean seeds for piloting. Sorghum, groundnut and simsim samples analyzed at three internationally certified laboratories in Kenya. Initial results of protein content per gram is expected soon, including protein, fat, free fatty acid, calcium, zinc, iron, moisture and alflatoxin content. From these, in the field recipes will be developed and piloted using this year’s harvest.

Benefits of the program:

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