WFP'S CASH-BASED TRANSFER PROGRAM IN EAST DARFUR A SUCCESS: In 2019, WFP’s cash-based transfers to all South Sudanese refugees in Al Nimir refugee camp (home to more than 12,800 refugees in East Darfur State), have enabled many to rent land and farm their own crops by providing them with the capital they need to purchase the inputs they need and fund land access. Previously, most refugees in the camp were only able to work as labourers on host community farms. UNHCR is discussing with a private sector company how to include the refugee production of peanuts in the already existing host-community value chain

WFP flags ongoing pipeline breaks are interrupting general food distribution to South Sudanese refugees across Sudan. Breaks are linked to Sudan's economic crisis and recent import restrictions.

Urgent need for WASH and Health partners in South Darfur to support service coverage for growing refugee population.

URGENT FUNDING NEEDED TO COVER VECTOR CONTROL CAMPAIGNS IN WHITE NILE CAMPS – The State Ministry of Health conducted vector control campaigns in all camps, through support from WHO. Vector control campaigns are an essential component of disease prevention programmes in refugee camps. Funds are urgently needed to cover vector control and water quality activities through to the end of 2019.

UNICEF AND UNHCR COMPLETE 2nd ROUND OF NUTRITION CAMPAIGN IN WEST KORDOFAN STATE – The campaign is part of the accelerated nutrition action plan initiated in October following the outcomes of the 2018 Standardized Expanded Nutrition Survey (SENS). Nearly 3,700 South Sudanese refugee children were screened, with referrals of malnourished and at-risk children made to local nutrition programmes for treatment. The action plan also integrates infant and young child feeding (IYCF) support, with over 2,700 pregnant and lactating women referred for IYCF counselling and supports. These campaigns have also been completed for refugee camps in White Nile State and targeted localities in South Kordofan State, as part of inter-agency efforts to scaleup the nutrition response to address critically high global acute malnutrition (GAM).

UNHCR signs agreements with Ministries of Education in South and West Kordofan states to address critical education gaps.

UNHCR is working with state governments in White Nile and East Darfur to improve access to birth registration for refugee children born in Sudan.

UNHCR in SUDAN ENGAGES IN COVID-19 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE: To protect refugees and IDPs as well as their hosts in Sudan from COVID-19, UNHCR and partners have rolled out a massive prevention, preparedness and response programme. The Agency joined WHO and UNICEF in spreading risk awareness by translating posters in refugee languages, by briefing volunteers and IDP leaders, tens of thousands of text messages sent to urban refugees in Khartoum. In addition, in recent weeks, UNHCR delivered 1 million bars of soap to IDPs, refugees and their most vulnerable Sudanese neighbours. The Agency also established a surveillance system in refugee camps for immediate isolation of potential cases, reporting to the health authorities and subsequent testing. According to the results, so far the virus which is spreading fast in the country has not infected any refugee.

UNHCR and the Government's Commission for Refugees (COR)’s joint protection monitoring have identified significant protection issues involving the assault of refugees by host community members in Al Lait locality, including the killing of a refugee man over a dispute, physical assault of a refugee minor and two refugee men and one reported sexual assault of a refugee woman.

UNHCR and the Government of Sudan’s Commission for Refugees (COR) completed the distribution of an NFI package of blankets and plastic sheeting to over 10,000 households across ‘open area’ settlements, including 8,541 refugee households (benefiting 57,346 refugees) and 1,496 of the most vulnerable host community households adjacent to settlement areas. The package will provide interim shelter assistance while inter-agency partners develop a more sustainable shelter response.