Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative Update

7/29/2019 Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative Update

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The USAID-nanced Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative began

in response to dire needs in the Abyei area resulting

from armed conict 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.

A full-scale attack on Abyei town in May 2011 caused the

displacement of a majority of the Ngok Dinka population

to the south of the River Kiir, representing an estimated

105,000 forcibly displaced people. During the attacks,

hundreds of homes were razed and much of the publicinfrastructure was damaged, looted or destroyed.

The demilitarization of Abyei and establishment of the

United Nations Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA)

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

public infrastructure. Through the works that commenced

in January 2013 as part of the Abyei Rehabilitation

Initiative, priority infrastructure including schools, health

clinics and potable water systems have been rehabilitated

in coordination with returnee communities in order toensure that those who do choose to return have access

to adequate basic services. The project also provides

assistance to Misseriya pastoralists who travel with their

cattle along established migratory routes in the Abyei area.

Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative

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

IOM OIMProject Update July 2013

Background


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UNDP water yard Completed

Goli water yard Completed

Mekines water yard Completed

Rumamier water yard Completed

Noong water yard Completed

Marial Achak water yard Completed

Al Radiya water yard Completed

Wunrouk water yard Completed

Baloom water yard Completed

Mekines water yard Completed

Abyei Secondary School for Girls

water yardCompleted

Abyei Marketplace water yard Completed

Basic School for Boys Completed June

Wunrouk Primary School Completed June

Abyei Secondary School for Girls Completed June

Abyei Secondary School for Boys Completed June

Wunrouk Clinic Completed June

Marial Achak Clinic Completed June

Abyei Hospital Near Completion

Diffra Clinic 90% June

Mekines Clinic 90% June

Returnees to Abyei area benefit from

improved access to education facilities andimproved learning environment

School facilities in Abyei

Area are rehabilitated,

expanded and furniture

provided. Parent-Teacher-Community (PTCA)

Associations organized and

functional

Outcomes Output

Returnees benefit from improved access

to basic health services

Basic health facilities

refurbished and functional

Targets Handover

Returnees and nomads are benefittingfrom improved access to clean water

Water yards rehabilitated

and functional/Organizedand functional community

water committees in place

and functional

Construction

Status

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 addressingboth 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 benet both communities.

Rehabilitating water yards along identied 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.

Water Access

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.

Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative Project Progress (as of 15 July)

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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 rehabilitatedschools, 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.

Education

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 rehabili-

tation; building desks for classrooms; Wunrouk Primary school

after rehabilitation, with water point.

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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 conict.

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.

Health Services

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 rehabilita-

tion; The entrance of the hospital after rehabilitation; Wunrouk

Clinic before rehabilitation; Wunrouk Clinic after rehabilitation.

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Documents

Abyei Rehabilitation Initiative Update