LIFE-SAVING WASH, NUTRITION AND RELIEF COMMODITY INTERVENTIONS IN CENTRAL AND EAST DARFUR

During this reporting period, the security situation in Central Darfur was relatively stable, allowing communities to travel to cultivation land and access project areas. However, there was a decline in the nutritional status of a large number of moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) cases and some severe acute malnutrition (SAM) cases due to procurement difficulties and an increase in prevalence of diarrhoea and other water-borne diseases. Tearfund started its intervention in Central Jebel Marra, opening 2 new nutrition centres in Golo and Kiling villages, with 705 of the new admissions coming from that area. The Targeted Supplementary Feeding Programme (TSFP) showed a cured rate of 92.1%, defaulter rate of 6.2%, death rate of 0%, and non-respond rate of 1.7%. The programme's performance indicators were within Sphere recommended standards, with a cure rate of >75% and death rate of <5%. In East Darfur, the security situation remained calm, with measures put in place by the state government to stem criminal activity and tribal conflict appearing to be effective. However, the rainy season slowed the implementation of planned activities, and there was a delay in approving the WASH Technical Agreement (TA) at the Federal level. Despite this setback, community and resource mobilisation continued, and project implementation is expected to accelerate in the second quarter. The nutritional status of beneficiaries in Central Darfur showed a decline, with 1466 new cases admitted to the TSFP, including 571 pregnant and lactating women. The cured rate for TSFP was 92.1%, with 419 cases discharged during the quarter. In East Darfur, the security situation remained calm, with measures put in place by the state government to stem criminal activity and tribal conflict appearing to be effective. The programme's impact indicators showed progress in Central Darfur, with 2 new nutrition centres established in Golo and Kiling villages, and 120 community volunteers trained in the prevention and management of MAM. In East Darfur, the programme's impact indicators showed progress, with 588 cases treated for SAM during the reporting period in both camps. The rates of admission, default, death, cure, relapse, non-response-transfer, and length of stay for MAM in Central Darfur showed a cured rate of 87.0%, with 1784 admissions and 0 deaths. The programme's performance indicators were within Sphere recommended standards, with a cure rate of >75% and death rate of <5%. Overall, the programme's interventions in Central and East Darfur showed progress in addressing the nutritional needs of beneficiaries, despite challenges posed by the security situation and procurement difficulties.