Emergency Project - Non Food Items

Norwegian People’s Aid has operated in South Sudan for over 22 years. The organization operated outside the Operation Lifeline Sudan during all this time with a mission to deliver food, medicine and relief supplies to the vulnerable people in all areas regardless of security risk or Government of Sudan or UN designation as “no go”.

There was an open expression of solidarity with the people of South Sudan. This presented unique challenges which compelled NPA to work closely with the SPLM, local authorities and the SRRA as the relief wing of the SPLM.  Consequently, strong relations were built with authorities at all levels, communities and emerging local organisations or CBOs, with the aim of alleviating human suffering. These created bonds that have evolved and strengthened over the years.

Ken Miller

The major donor to the Food Security and Rural Livelihoods Programme over the past 8 years from 2000, have been USAID (FFP/OFDA), with additional support from Ministry of Foreign Affairs Norway.

USAID encouraged NPA to re-focus work on areas that were characterised by insecurity and lack of services through supporting airlift operations based inside Sudan from Akot (Lakes) and Pagak (Eastern Upper Nile) to serve the most vulnerable in Unity, Jonglei and Upper Nile States. This operation to transport relief food and Non Food Items to populations as and when needed built on the strengths of NPA in logistical capacity and ability to work in areas otherwise deemed insecure by the UN.

During the reporting period of 2003 -7 NPA received funding of over $1,680,000 to purchase, transport and finally distribute non food items to populations typically affected by natural disaster such as flooding, or by insecurity resulting in local displacement. The above figure is that provided specifically for this work, but there were many other administrative and programme costs that were already provided by FFP, OFDA and MFA Norway, and allowed such interventions to take place.

The non food items package was typically made up of the following items:

• Plastic sheeting or tarpaulins for shelter
• Blankets
• Mosquito nets – usually dumuria and treated
• Cooking pots
• Water containers often collapsible to save transport costs
• Fishing twine and hooks

 The NPA Emergency Response Project made all efforts to coordinate with the UN/WFP and other agencies. Typically, there would be a series of meetings once a disaster such as flooding had been declared and initial assessment reports were being received. Once areas of responsibility had been agreed, NPA would send in the Assessment Team to obtain further insight into the conditions in a location and understand how people were coping and what assistance would be needed. This would be shared with other agencies and authorities and often while NPA were on the ground distributing non food items and possibly relief food, the team would facilitate other agencies transport and assist them with their response to the humanitarian situation. However, on many occasions due to security constraints facing the UN/WFP and other affiliated agencies, NPA would be the only agency on the ground. NPA were able to perform this role due to being perceived as neutral within South Sudan and in provision of services (amongst the various tribes), while openly expressing solidarity with the people of South Sudan.

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