FRIENDS OF SUDAN (FOS) VOICE THEIR SUPPORT TO THE CIVILLIAN-LED GOVERNMENT: The Friends of Sudan (FOS) voiced their support to the civilian-led government at a meeting in Khartoum on 11 December and pledged to hold a donor conference in April 2020 to make concrete financial contributions to support the government’s economic reform efforts. UNHCR and inter-agency partners continue to advocate for the inclusion of refugees in these reforms. FOS includes 14 countries, the African Union, European Union, United Nations, the league of Arab States and three financial institutions, including the African Development Bank, International Monetary Fund and World Bank.

FUEL SHORTAGE DRIVING SHUT DOWN OF WATER TREATMENT PLANTS – Sudan’s fuel crisis remains a major challenge to service delivery across the response. The fuel shortage has interrupted water treatment plant operations for refugee camps along the White Nile River, with refugees now drawing water directly from the river at several camp locations. UNHCR is working with local partners and authorities to secure emergency fuel supplies; however, in the meantime, WASH partners are initiating the distribution of water purification tablets and public information initiatives on the importance of boiling water to mitigate waterborne illness risk. Household water filters are also being procured in anticipation of ongoing interruptions to clean water supply for refugees living in camps.

Fuel shortages across Sudan worsened at the end of March, interfering with response logistics and slowing down humanitarian assistance at refugee locations. While some relief has been provided with renewed availability of fuel supplies, additional shortages are anticipated in the coming months.

GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION TOOL (GDT) USED TO COMPLETE FOOD DISTRIBUTION IN WHITE NILE STATE: A third cycle of the roll-out of biometric food distribution using the Global Distribution Tool (GDT) took place in November, conducted by a joint team formed by the Commissioner for Refugees (COR), UNHCR, WFP and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) in the White Nile State. The exercise was conducted in the camps of Alagaya, Dabat Bosin, Khor Al Warel, Um Sangor and Al Jameya, with a total of about 105,239 beneficiaries targeted.

Growing influx of refugees to South Darfur observed, with over 7,500 arriving in July fleeing conflict in Northern and Western Bahr Ghazal states.