Blue Nile Geisan Locality Survey
Implemented by
Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)
November –December 200
Geisan Preliminary Survey – December 2007
Table of Contents
Table of Contents ........................................................................................................... 0 1. Introduction ................................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Background .......................................................................................................... 2 1.2 ADRA Sudan ....................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Survey area........................................................................................................... 3 1.4 Rationale .............................................................................................................. 4 1.5 Objective .............................................................................................................. 5 1.6 Methodology ........................................................................................................ 5 2. Survey Findings: ........................................................................................................ 5 2.1 Demographic Data: .............................................................................................. 5 2.2 Health ................................................................................................................... 6 2.2.1 Mortality ....................................................................................................... 6 2.2.2 Morbidity ...................................................................................................... 6 2.3 Livelihood: ........................................................................................................... 7 2.3.1 Water source and accessibility: ..................................................................... 8 2.3.2 Firewood collection: ..................................................................................... 8 2.3.3. Migration: .................................................................................................... 9 2.4 Agriculture: .......................................................................................................... 9 2.4.1 Farm size and land tenure: ............................................................................ 9 2.4.2 Crop production: ......................................................................................... 10 2.4.3 Soil fertility ................................................................................................. 11 2.4.4 Tree plantation: ........................................................................................... 11 2.4.5 Farm development: ..................................................................................... 11 2.5 Nutrition and Food diversity: ......................................................................... 12 2.6 Education: .......................................................................................................... 13 2.7 Planning ............................................................................................................. 13
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The Returnee Support Program ADRA White Nile; gratefully acknowledges the efforts of the following: the Federal Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC), the Blue Nile state (HAC), the Blue Nile Net, WFP Blue Nile Office and Geisan Commissioner; in the planning and implementation of this survey. The project also would like to thank all those who provided input into the draft of this report, and all participated in the preliminary results discussions, from which the final recommendations in this report emanated. The financial support of Canadian Green Peace Bank, technical support of ADRA Khrtoum departments, are also acknowledged and greatly appreciated. 1. Introduction 1.1 Background Before and during the years of conflict, people throughout the Blue Nile State suffered hardships such as displacement, food insecurity and lack of basic & social services. As a result, the household economy which is mainly based on agricultural production and livestock herding, both of which are yet to recover was affected. Other sources of income as well as coping mechanisms are still very limited leading to very little contribution to the household food economy. The Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) signed between the Sudan government and SPLA/M in 2005 has contributed positively to the restoration of peace which has allowed the massive in flow of returnees to their home lands to have opportunities for rehabilitation and development in the Blue Nile State. According to UNHCR estimates, in 2008, Blue Nile State will continue to experience large population movements, as IDPs and refugees return to their places of origin. Nearly 42,600 IDPs and refugees are expected to move through the state, including some returnees on transit to other States. These large-scale arrivals of returnees will add to competition for natural resources and increase the depletion and strain on the limited infrastructures now in place. In other areas, largely depopulated during the years of conflict, little or no infrastructure now exists. 1.2 ADRA Sudan ADRA is one of the International Non-governmental Organization operating in over 120 countries worldwide. ADRA has been active in Sudan since 1979 primary health care interventions which were
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expanded in the 1980s to cover Khartoum, North and White Nile States through the implementation of Maternal and Child Health. ADRA Sudan has also actively participated in relief operations for the IDPs who were displaced by war and the nomads affected by desertification in the Northern State. ADRA also actively participated during a series of flooding in the country including Kassala, Northern State and cyclone events in the White Nile State/Kosti and many others. ADRA has implemented several developmental projects such as UmJawasir Desert Farming (UDF) for the resettlement of the displaced nomads, Karima/Merowe integrated MCH and Food Security Program handed over to the displaced nomads in the Northern State, in the surrounding villages of Karima/Merowe. ADRA is also implementing functional literacy programs and small enterprise development projects around Khartoum with the IDP and resettled communities using reflect approach, women empowerment through formation and registration of women associations to ensure sustainability of these interventions in the future, with or without ADRA presence. ADRA Sudan has an active existence in West Darfur since 2005, responding to the needs of the IDP, Refugees, war affected people and the nomadic groups; through the implementation of emergency relief projects that caters for the needs of targeted populations affected by war; through the provision of water and sanitation health and hygiene promotion. Currently ADRA Sudan is restructuring its programming operations, with this new challenges; ADRA Sudan will have two country offices, in the north and south, with two associate country directors, one in the northern and southern sectors respectively. The country director for ADRA Sudan will be based in Khartoum. The northern sector programming will cover all the programs in the North, West Darfur, East and the Blue Nile, while the southern sector will cover Juba, Malakal, Bor, Terekeka and the rest of the southern States. In the same manner, ADRA Sudan is focussing at the regionalization strategies for better programming and planning, where Khartoum, North, East, West and the Blue Nile States are considered to be regions for operations that cater for needs of these areas. 1.3 Survey area Blue Nile is one of the twenty five States in Sudan, with Damazeen town as its capital. Blue Nile is located in the South East of Sudan,
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sharing borders with Ethiopia to the east and south east; Senar State to the north and north east, and the Upper Nile to the south west. The estimated population is 142,224 households, approximately 1,178,275 individuals. It has five localities namely Damazeen, Bao, El Kurmuk, El Roseiris, and Geisan. Children under five are estimated at 110,840 according to the EPI. This however does not reflect the real figure according to the sphere standards. Blue Nile State stretches between the two imaginary lines of 33-35 longitudes; and 10-13 latitude. It covers an estimated area of 38,500 square kilometers.
Blue Nile State, estimated population 2006
SN 1 2 3 4 5 Locality Damazeen Bao El Kurmuk El Roseiris Geisaan Total Population 251,937 190,141 88,635 213,642 433,920 1,178,275 Household Male 45,258 115,081 22,087 79,130 12,417 46,060 36,430 94,839 26,032 66,833 142,224 401,943 Female 148,433 100,241 53,425 121,628 88,414 512,141
Source: International Cooperation, Planning and Development Administration (MoFE) EDamazeen The civil war led by SPLA/M in the 80s severely affected the Blue Nile State; during these years of conflict, people throughout this State have suffered hardships such as food insecurity and lack of basic & social services, it was also difficult to provide humanitarian assistance to the needy and this caused insufficient food stocks at household level in most of the villages around Kurmuk, Geisaan and Bao west of Damazin. Cconsequently, this led to nigh malnutrition rates among children below five years of age. The household economy in the area is mainly based on agricultural production and livestock herding, both of which are yet to recover. Other sources of income as well as coping mechanisms are still very limited, with very little contribution to the household food economy. 1.4 Rationale Against this background, and following ADRA Sudan’s interest to work in this area to alleviate the suffering of the communities through a food security and livelihood intervention, a concept paper was submitted to the CFGB for funding consideration. The CFGB accepted the project concept and gave a conditional go ahead to
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develop a project proposal. In order to ensure that the project addresses real needs and involves the community both in the planning and implementation of the project as a means of ensuring ownership and sustainability for the project outcomes, ADRA Sudan carried out a rapid assessment in Geisan Locality in the Blue Nile State. 1.5 Objectives This Rapid assessment is carried out to assess the current situation in the area and come up with strategies that will address a sustainable food security and livelihood problem in Geisan locality.
1.6 Methodology Data was mainly collected through: Review of secondary data Structured household and community questionnaires Focus group discussions Observation A sample space of 250 households was interviewed. In order to ensure quality input from the respondents, a short 15-20 minute survey was administered to the first 9 households and a longer 3045 minute survey administered to each 10th respondent. Through the focus group and community meetings, the enumerators have engaged the community participants in the identification of causes and effects of problems within the community and their prioritization. 2. Survey Findings: 2.1 Demographic Data: Respondents were asked to indicate whether the household head is male or female. It was found that (85.3%) of the questioned households are male headed Household Head Gender households and (14.7%) are female headed household. 15% Most of the male households are currently living with their families (85.3%) while (14.7) are absent.
Male Female
85%
The average household size is 6.4. In the average there are 3 males and 3 females in the household including 1 to three <5 children. Page 5 of 32
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It was found that 65.8% of the responded households have <5 children between one and three years old. On the other hand 26.7% of the responded households have no <5 children while 7.6% of them have more than four <5 children per household. The survey findings showed that more than half of the respondent household heads (56.4%) are living in Geisan for more than 20 years or they have been born there. It was also found that 22.7% of respondents came recently to live in Geisan after the CPA between the SPLA/M and The Sudan Government.
Table (1) how long surveyed households have been living in Giesan Category Less than 5 years From 5 to 10 years From 11 to 15 years From 16 to 20 years More than 20 years Total Count 51 18 23 6 127 225 % 22.7 8.0 10.2 2.7 56.4 100.0 Cumulative % 22.7 30.7 40.9 43.6 100.0
2.2 Health 2.2.1 Mortality The respondent households were asked to report the number of family members died in the last three months. 73.8% of the questioned households reported that there was Mortality Rate nobody died in the last three months, while 26.2 reported World standard 9/1000 that at least one person died during that period of time. All over the Sudan 11/1000 The survey findings indicated that the mortality Geisan area 29/1000 rate is 61/1000 at Geisan area. 2.2.2 Morbidity Respondent households were asked to report if any of the household member was ill during the last three months. 80% of the Page 6 of 32
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respondent reported that one or more of the household members were ill. Number of ill household members rage between one to four persons per household. The main reported diseases were malaria and diarrhea. Table (2) where do people go for treatment normally Category Traditional healer Health facility No where Total % 64.0 32.0 4.0 100.0 Cumulative % 64.0 96.0 100.0
More than half of the respondent households (64.0%) mentioned that they normally go to the traditional healer when they are ill. But if the illness is serious, 96% of the respondents mentioned that they go to the health facility available in the village or in the nearby village. The mass media is the main source of health information as mentioned by 76.0% of the respondent households. 2.3 Livelihood: The survey findings showed that most of Geisan households (97.3%) depend on farming as the main activity in the area to provide food and necessities beside other activities. The rest of the respondents (2.7%) mentioned that they depend on other activities rather than farming which include traditional gold mining and labor work. Table (3) household head main occupation It was found that Occupation % Cumulative beside farming the % respondent Farming only 67.6 67.6 households are Farm & Gardening 5.3 72.9 practicing other Farm & Raised Animals 19.1 92.0 activities such as Farm & Work for others 5.3 97.3 raising animals, Other 2.7 100.0 traditional gold Total 100.0 mining and work for others and gardening (cultivating vegetables and some fruits). Majority of the respondent households (96.0%) stated that farming is providing most of their income and food but they could not make ends meet though (32.4%) are practicing complementary activities
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besides farming such as selling firewood, baboon, providing labor services in the local market, and traditional gold mining. The questionnaire included a question about assets that the household had to sell or to buy during the last six months. It was found that 68.0% of the respondents had not sold any asset during that period of time, while the rest (32.0%) had to sell either animals (75.0%) or women jewelries –gold (25%) and use the cash for feeding and other housed holds basic needs and requirements. When the respondents asked what assets would they buy if they had the money, (88.0%) mentioned that they would buy additional household assets. Out of which (40.9%) would like to buy animals, (22.8%) would like to buy home furniture, (27.3%) would like to buy clothes, and (9.0%) would like to buy gold and handicraft tools. Most children were observed walking around with racked clothes. The respondent households were asked to mention the household tools they own. It was found that a household in Geisan owns in general one or more axe, hoe and hand mill-stone. Beside that there are other important tools such as digging tool for traditional gold mining, and saw for wood cutting. 2.3.1 Water source and accessibility: It was found that the respondent households depend on two main water sources which are hand pumps and seasonal water streams/Wadis. At the time of the survey 52.0% of the respondents mentioned hand pumps as the main source of water compared with 48.0% who depend on seasonal water streams/Wadis. The time needed to access these water sources is highly depending on the location of the house and the village. In average the time to reach the water source is 30 minutes walking. 68% of the respondents mentioned that they reach the water source within that time. 2.3.2 Firewood collection: According to the survey, firewood most fuel-consuming jobs done cooking, keeping warm and heating water for washing. Firewood collection is perceived as an increasingly difficult task, and many people, especially women are walking lengthy distances for wood. The survey findings showed that in the average firewood collection is the dominant energy source for by the Geisan people, including Water fetching and Firewood collection Average time to fetch Water Average time to collect firewood 30 minutes
60 minutes
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takes almost one hour. Respondents answers showed that Geisan community do not use efficient energy saving stoves. 2.3.3. Migration: Respondents were asked to mention if there were some people from their households moved to another area to find work since last season; 30.7% stated that at least one member of their family moved looking for work.
Table (4) Number of household member who moved to find work: Number of persons Count % Cumulative % No one One person Two Persons Three Persons Four Persons Total 156 60 7 1 1 225 69.3 26.7 3.1 .4 .4 100.0 69.3 96.0 99.1 99.6 100.0
2.4 Agriculture: 2.4.1 Farm size and land tenure: The survey findings show that 94.7% of the respondents are currently farming. Most of the agricultural lands in Geisan are bushy and rocky. Thus most of the farmers have relatively small farm size because a great effort is needed to clear the land from bushes, tress and rocks. The average farm size is 1.5 feddan while the modal land size is 1 feddan. According to Sudan law all Land Ownership land (unregistered) Share crop belonged to the state, which Not Farmer 1% 5% held ownership in trust for Rent the people, who had 3% customary rights to it. In agricultural communities, the right to cultivate an area of unused land became vested in the individual who cleared it for use. In Geisan Own 91% area, land ownership can be obtained by cleaning the bushes after the agreement of the local
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community authorities. Any arose land conflict is solved by The Shiekh (clan leader). The survey findings show that 92.0% of the respondents are cultivating their own lands, 3.0% are renting, 1.0% sharing crop and 4.0% are originally not farmers. The survey findings showed that 48.4% of the respondents operate almost exclusively on their own land, while 17.3% use their own money to hire people to work for them and 17.3% depends on relatives and neighbors to help them to do the agricultural practices in a kwon cooperative form in the Sudan called Nafier (labor exchange). The rest of the farmers (16.9%) get loans from other people or from the merchants using the shale system. All farmers who are getting loans stated that they are not able to pay back their loans because the crop production is very low and the lending merchants take most or sometime all their production in order to recover their loans . 2.4.2 Crop production: In Geisan, farmers used to grow sorghum as a main staple crop. They grow climatically suitable Crops cultivated during the current season but low yield verities of Sorghum and sorghum in a very small piece Peas 24% Sorthum Only of land because they used to 40% do all the agricultural practices by themselves. No credit is available and cash money is very short during the rainy season. Most of the framers Sorghum and Sesame depend on labor exchange 36% (Nafier) to do the labor work needed such as weeding and harvesting. Farmers who own livestock may liquidate some of their animals to have cash to hire labor workers. Surveyed household mentioned that they have grown sorghum mixed with sesame (44.0%) or peas (20.0%) during the last two years. When the respondent households asked for how many months did their harvest last during the last year, 80.0% mentioned that their harvest lasted for less than six months and therefore had never meet needs during the whole year up to the next harvest. Table (5) for how many months did your crop last? Number of months % Cumulative % 1 24.0 24.0 2 24.0 48.0 3 8.0 56.0 4 20.0 76.0
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5 6 8 9 Total
4.0 4.0 12.0 4.0 100.0
80.0 84.0 96.0 100.0
2.4.3 Soil fertility Respondent households asked to describe the method they used to keep their land fertile. It was found that the majority of farmers do nothing towards land fertility (88.0%), while the rest (12.0%) used to burn grasses on their lands as a practice for keeping the land fertile. Although most of the farmers keep in mine that annual bush fires destroy the vegetation and the population of earthworms that improve the fertility of the land. So most of the time burning bush and grasses may clean the land for cultivation but also may have a negative impact regarding soil fertility. But in general when farmers observe a decline in fertility of their soils after cropping for three to four successive years, they allow the land to lie fallow for 2–3 years before they go back and crop the land again. According to the farmers, fallowing the land for 2–3 years allows the land to regenerate its fertility. They mentioned that as the land is allowed to fallow, young trees begin to grow and shade the soil so that the land is not exposed to the direct action of the sun thereby keeping the soil moist all the time. They also reason that during the fallow period the litter of the vegetation on the land fertilizes the soil as it decomposes. 2.4.4 Tree plantation: Tree plantation is not a common practice in Geisan area putting into consideration the bushy environment in which native people are living, though 72.0% of the surveyed households stated that they will plant trees if they were available. The majority of the respondent households (76.0%) mentioned they could not farm more land because they have no the required manpower to cultivate additional land. 2.4.5 Farm development: The majority of farmers in Geisan are growing sole local low yield variety of sorghum by traditional techniques. When the respondent households asked about what changes they would like to see on their farm in the next five years, they mentioned that crop diversification, use of improved seeds and mechanization are the important changes that they look for during the next five years. Table (6) changes farmers would like to see in the next five years Changes farmers like to see % Cumulative %
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Crop diversification Use improved seeds Mechanization All the above three Total
4.0 12.0 4.0 80.0 100.0
4.0 16.0 20.0 100.0
2.5 Nutrition and Food diversity: Households are food secured when they have year-round access to the amount and variety of safe foods their members need to lead active and healthy lives. At the household level, food security refers to the ability of the household to secure, either from its own production or through purchases, adequate food for meeting the dietary needs of all members of the household. In Geisan area and within the current circumstances this is forming a great challenge to the local people living there. The survey findings show that 88.9% of the respondents eat twice a day, while the rest eat three times a day (8.9%) or eat only one meal a day (2.2%) Respondents were asked whether the previous day was an ordinary day for eating, all the respondent stated that it was an ordinary day. Because sorghum is the staple crop in Geisan area, the entire respondent mentioned that they eat it as a main meal component. It was found that peas and meat are the main source of protein, as 51.6% of the respondents stated that they normally eat protein in their daily meals of which 56.8% mentioned that they eat meat while 43.2% eat peas. Most of the native people in Geisan area lost their animals during the war time. Consequently, 90.7% of the respondents could not find milk for themselves and their families to dirk. Fresh vegetables and fruits are not widely grown in Geisan area and also they are not provided to the area for the reason that most of the people there could not offer the price. According to the survey findings it was found that 67.6% of the respondents do not use to eat fresh vegetable and fruits in their daily ordinary meals. Cooking oil and sugar are widely used in Geisan people daily diet. The majority of the respondent households (96.0%) mentioned that they used cooking oil and sugar in their meals the previous day.
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2.6 Education: The survey findings showed that (39.0%) of household members (who are more than six years old) are illiterate. The highest educational level is attending or completed primary school in (84.0%) of the responding households. It was found that 68.0% of those who were completed or attending their primary education were males. 50% of the villages involved in the Survey had no school at all and the nearest schools were at least one hour and half walking. 2.7 Planning The survey included a question about what improvements would the respondents like to make in their house/family/livelihood during the coming five years. In response to this question (53.8%) of the respondents were not able to identify their plan, 20.0% mentioned that they would like to start small business to increase their income and hence to improve their standard of living, 14.2% of the respondents mentioned that they need to farm more land to achieve this goal, while (3.1%) of the respondents see that improvements could be obtained by more focus of children education. When asked about the resources currently available to achieve these improvements, 87.7% of the respondents stated that there are no resources available, while only 12.3% mentioned they may depend on the natural resources such as agricultural lands and forests as resources to complete these improvements.
Recommendations: 1. Health: I. Recommendations for ADRA: ADRA should establish primary health centers at least in the bigger villages in both the eastern and western areas of Geisan (One center for Phonphon council in Beldibrow or Guso, one in the western area in EDRO village. ADRA should provide support in form of health education, midwifery services and school health education in all the villages of the locality. II. Recommendations for other NGOs: Because of the scattered villages and the bad health and nutrition status, we recommend UN agencies and other INGOs to support Geisan Hospital with Ambulances and rehabilitate the existing buildings.
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III.
Through Geisan people are totally fade up with the continuous surveys and assessments carried out by different NGOs, still more surveys on health and nutrition is needed. The first step is to widely share the reports of the already conducted researches. Recommendations for HAC: HAC Federal to encourage health focused NGOs interested in serving in the Blue Nile and attracts others (through Seminars and meetings coordinated with the state ministry of health.
2. Livelihood: A: Recommendations for ADRA; 1. A, urgent food aids program should be lunched to fill in the food gab. Variety of activities should be introduced such as (school feeding program, complementary feeding program and general distribution for the most vulnerable people in Geisan) the pilot intervention should be completed before May 08 the area will not be accessible after that. 2. ADRA should provide clothes and blankets to children and women. 3. Studies for the possibilities of water damps building between the mountains to store the wadis water in the rainy seasons and around which the villages could be gathered will be a great help for the development of the locality. 4. ADRA should introduce farming improvement project and support the farmers with fine seeds, crops diversification and mechanization. 5. ADRA should encourage and facilitate the establishment and capacity building of CBOs in the main villages and involve them in all the program phases. B: Recommendations for other NGOs: Provision of accessible water points in Geisan Villages’ calls for an integrated joint venture from all concerned. All that recommended for ADRA is applicable to other NGOs each on his capacity. C: Recommendations for HAC: Federal HAC should share the available information on Geisan livelihood with all INOGs/NGDOs and international community in large.
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Federal HAC should organize events in coordination with the Blue Nile office to encourage INGOs to consider the Blue Nile in their intervention plans. State HAC should encourage CBOs establishment, registration and capacity building.
3. Education: 1- Recommendations for ADRA: Rehabilitation and improvement of the currently functioning schools; School feeding program including teachers and other employees. Construction and support of new schools projects in villages where there are currently no schools. Supporting and facilitating adult education classes in all villages. As part of the capacity building process targeting women and youth in particular. Child protection 2- Recommendations for other NGOs: Advocacy for child rights prevention particularly the right to education needs especial emphasis in the NGOs plans of actions. All mentioned for ADRA should be considered by other NGOs for coordination and contribution. 3- Recommendations for HAC: Advocacy for child protection and education improvement is highly needed by both the federal and state offices.
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FOCUS GRO P DISCUSSION (1)
Village Name: AHERDEN Distant from Geisan: Poplation: Direction: Team: Salah Ibrahim Paulino Adam – Karar Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan Kabashi – Rabeh Lowei Jabir A. Livelihood
Date: 1st Dec 2007 117 HH 1889 individuals
Team Leader (ADRA Sudan) Note taker (ADRA Sudan) Member (HAC/Federal) Enumerator (Blue Nile Network) Enumerator (HAC/State)
-
Most income are generated from the followings: 1. Farming activities o Main farming activities begins in Jun – Dec, during this period farmers are growing sorghum, sesame, wheat among others o Primary farming activities begins October – May, during this period farmers are growing vegetables: tomatoes, mango, grapefruits, oranges etc o People here own animals, but most of these animals died because of diseases that affect them. Other job to generate income are: a. Cutting and selling of bamboos b. Collect gold along wadi Timad and sell to generate additional income and require digging of wadi soil from 2 – 10 meter so as to collect pieces of gold c. If they have enough money, it will help them to do business in their area There is no market in this village; they go for marketing in Geisan; which is approximately one and half hour. It is very difficult to reach Geisan during the rainy season especially when wadi Tomad is full Market prices for the bellow Items 4.1
2.
3.
4.
1 Keila of Sorghum cost 6 SDGs - Wheat is not available and not preferred as a stable food in Geisan - 1 Kela of Maize cost 4 – 8 SDGs but it is not considered as their stable food - 1 Keila of Sesame cost 12 SDGs 4.2 1 Keila of lentils cost 32 SDGs
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-
1 Keila of f Beans cost 17
4.3 others 40 liters Jerrican of oil cost 75 SDGs - 1 kg of salt cost 2.5 SDGs - 1 Keila of Onion cost 16 SDGs - KG of bull meat cost 6 SDGs - KG of sheep/goat meat cost 8 SDGs - Milk is not available in the market for sell. 4.4 Animal resources Cow o o o o o
Bull for breeding 400 SDGs Bull for meat purpose to be slaughter cost Goats for sell cost 75 – 80 SDGs Donkey for sell cost 250 -300 SDGs Sheep is not available
B. Education 1. 2. 3. 4. There is one basic school in this village with four (4) classes and five teachers The school has 250 pupils There is no secondary school in this village, there is only one in Geisan their main problems are: a. Exercise books b. Note books c. No seat for students d. No feeding for the students e. No enough books f. Schools were closed during the war (1997 – 2004) just open g. Students have interest but some times have no uniform h. Shortage of teachers
C. Type of Agricultural land 1. type of land. a. Hajaria and Badoba farming lands:: the main crops grown here are Sesame, sorghum and wheat b. Heimora farming land: the main crops grown here are Beans, lentils, and wild beans c. Jireir/Gureir farming land: the main crops grown here are Vegetables (lemonade, grapefruits, orange, mango etc 2. Land tenure a. Land in this village is owned by farmers from their ancestors b. Each farmer is owning approximately 32 square meters, and the purpose is to grow food for the family consumption. It is not possible to grow wider land because of too much grass that hinders farming activities,
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c. Ownership on lands near wadis/Khor are passed from one family to another d. At the border farmers have no problem among themselves (Ethopians and Sudanese) e. There is no land ownership problem in this village 3. Main cash crops in the village are: a. Mango, Orange, lemonade grapefruits b. The main problem related to these crops is that, there is no transportation from the source to the market in Damazin, because Geisan is small and cannot consume the local products. Andorab is a type of tree people here use for making wooden beds, chairs, housing, and are also sold as pools in Damazin to generate income. Farming problems a. Farmers here are still practicing traditional farming system b. Traditional tools such as hoes, among others are used c. The village is bushy, lots of trees, grasses and wild trees are all over, to have access to farming space require lots of money and efforts to remove these trees d. There are pests in the area, especially a rate/mouse.
4.
5.
D. Health a. No health unit in this village, hospital is found in Geisan, with one docor b. Distant is approximately 1.30 hrs by donkey, but during the rainy season it is not possible to cross the wadi/khor, because its current is very strong c. The common diseases are i. Malaria ii. Diarrhea iii. Vomiting and iv. fever d. they need at least a health unit with access to medicines E. Housing a. Houses are built of grasses, mud, wooden pools, bambos b. Average room per a household are 2 - 3 (1 bed room, elder children and kitchen) c. Villagers here are using nafir to built their houses d. They only clean their surroundings to prevent firing, so soon after cleaning grasses from their surroundings they also burn the rubish General Note on Aherden Village Attendants during the Focus group discussion were Sheik and 4 community leaders in addition to 6 adults. Introduction of the team was done by HAC representative and ADRA Sudan on the objective of the assessment.
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Sheih and the community leaders complained about the previous assessments conducted by several NGOs and no result. But at last agreed. Many NGOs talk of development activities but nothing happened. They complain of lack of basic services in the village. This year there is a high rainfall in the area and because of this, farming products are very low compare to past years. Farmers in Aherden are growing sorghum as their stable food There is one school with a capacity of 250 pupils (Girls and boys) Children have interest to study but their families are poor to provide them with at least uniform and feeding at the school time. Students are short of note books, exercise books, no school uniform School is built from the local materials and is vulnerable to fire People living in Geisan are Faghashng tribe (Berty) During the war/conflict, they did not move out of Aherden; they only go to Ethiopia for days or months and come back Boundary between Sudan and Ethiopia is very close 15-20 minutes on foot It is difficult to get treatment during the rainy season Tomad wadi/Khor is an obstacle between Geisan and Aherden village during the rainy season There is one grinding meal in the village provided by IRC There is a school built by the local contribution but not completed. 10-25% of the people have access to pit latrines Most of the men are married to 2 wives There is one trained midwife There is no shop in the village There are 2 hand pumps but broken and not maintained because no spare part. There are trained hand pump mechanics but do not have access to spare parts Children are vaccinated Distant to wadi is half an hour by donkey Most people go to traditional healer, but priority is to the Dr. They believe n both; Dr. and traditional healer Rain in Geisan always starts in April and ends in November (it rains for 30 minutes to 2 hours There is a RED BRICKS in the village 1000 red bricks cost 100SDGs IRC built youth club from local material but no activities. There is a problem of white aunts in Geisan as a whole. Wheat can be used as gurasa only not their stable food All houses are poorly constructed (grass, bamboos, wood) Attendants:
Gamar El din Ibrahim Nasir Ahmed Nasir Jamal Ahmed Yaguoub Saddig El tayb Nail 6 community members
Sheik Community leader Community leader Community leader community members
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Needs expressed are: They need clinic built of permanent materials Mosque They need additional water points in the village They need youth center for recreation equipped with: o TV. o Valley ball o Football o Tenis o Any other sports
FOCUS GRO P DISCUSSION (2)
Village Name: EDRO Distant from Geisan: Populaion: Direction: Team: Salah Ibrahim Paulino Adam – Karar Ibrahim Mohammed Hassan Kabashi – Rabeh Lowei Jabir F. Livelihood
Date: 1st Dec
2007
260 HH 864 individuals North of Geisan
Team Leader (ADRA Sudan) Note taker (ADRA Sudan) Member (HAC/Federal) Enumerator (Blue Nile Network) Enumerator (HAC/State)
Most incomes are generated from the followings: 1. Farming activities o Main farming activities begins in Jun – Dec, during this period farmers are growing sorghum, sesame, wheat among others o Other farming activities begins October – May, during this period farmers are growing vegetables: tomatoes, mango, grapefruits, oranges etc o People in Edro own animals, but most of them died because of diseases and no veterinary services in the area. 2. Other jobs to generate income are: a. Gathering pieces of gold by digging wadi Tomad lands, then sell to merchants/traders as source of income b. They said that, if they have enough money, they will use it to do business in their area, because so far they do not have any shop in the village.
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3. Edro has no market; the nearest one is Geisan and Damazin, during the rainy season especially when wadi Tomad is full; they remain in the village till the wadi current is stable, and this may take weeks.
4. Market prices for the bellow Items 4.1 1 Keila of Sorghum cost 6 – 6.50 SDGs - Wheat is not commonly used as the stable food in Geisan. - 1 Keila of Maize cost 4 – 8 SDGs but it is not considered as their stable food - 1 Keila of Sesame cost 12 – 12.50 SDGs 4.2 1 Keila of lentils cost 32 SDGs 1 Keila of f Beans cost 17
4.3 Others 75 SDGs (1 Jerrican) - 40 liters of oil cost - 1 kg of salt cost 2.5 SDGs - 1 Keila of Onion cost 16 SDGs - KG of bull meat cost 6 SDGs - KG of sheep/goat meat cost 8 SDGs - Milk is not available in the market for sell.
4.4 Animal resources Cow o o o o o
Bull for breeding 400 SDGs Bull for meat purpose to be 600-650 SDGs Goats for sell cost 75 – 80 SDGs Donkey for sell cost 250 -300 SDGs Sheep is not commonly breed and not available for sell
G. Education 1. There is one basic school in this village with four (3) classes, there is only one (1) teacher 2. Number of pupils in Edro basic school are 150 girls and boys 3. There is no secondary school, but there is one in Geisan; not yet open 4. Education main problems in Edro village: a. The school is built of the local materials (grass, bamboos, woods) b. The school has one teacher; teaching three classes c. No exercise books d. Note books e. No seat for students f. No school feeding for students g. Schools were closed during the war (1997 – 2004) just open
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h. i. j. k. l.
Students have interest but sometimes have no uniform Distant from village to the school is far Shortage of teachers Salary of teacher is paid by the village Families are not able to cover teacher’s salary due to poverty
5. Type of farming land 1. Type of land. o Hajaria and Badoba farming lands: the main crops grown here are Sesame, sorghum and wheat o Heimora farming land: the main crops grown here are Beans, lentils, and wild beans o Jireir/Gureir farming land: the main crops grown here are Vegetables (lemonade, grapefruits, orange, mango etc 2. Land tenure o Land in this village is owned by farmers from their ancestors o Each farmer owns approximately 32 square meters, and the purpose is to grow food for the family consumption. It is not possible to grow wider land because of too much grass that hinders farming activities. o Lands near wadis/Khor are limited and are passed from one generation to another o There is no land ownership problem in Edro village Main cash crops in the village are: o Main crop in Edro is sorghum, and sesame o People are also growing mango and some vegetables Farming problems Transportation and marketing of the local products Farmers are practicing traditional farming system Local farming tools are widely used No improve seed, traditional seeds are used Traditional tools such as hoes, among others are used The village is bushy, lots of trees, grasses and wild trees are all over, to have access to farming space require lots of money and efforts to remove these trees There are pests in the area, especially a rate/mouse.
3. Health a. No health unit in this village, hospital is found in Geisan, and Damazin, there is one Doctor in Geisan b. Distant is approximately 2.30 hrs by donkey, but during the rainy season it is more difficult to carry a sick person to Geisan for treatment because of the distant and lots of wadis/Khors before Geisan c. The common diseases are i. Malaria ii. Diarrhea iii. Vomiting and iv. fever Page 22 of 32
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d. they need at least a health unit with access to medicines and health cadre 4. Housing a. Houses are built of the local materials such as grasses, mud, wooden pools, and bamboos b. Average room per a household are 2 - 3 (1 bed room, elder children room and kitchen) c. Villagers in Edro are using Nafir system to built their houses d. In Dec & January people are cleaning their surrounding to avoid fire burning their houses made of grasses mat.
General Note on Edro Village Attendants during the Focus group discussion were Sheik and 4 community leaders in addition to 3 adults. Introduction of the team was done by HAC representative and ADRA Sudan on the objective of the assessment. Sheik and the community leaders complained about the previous assessments conducted by several NGOs and no result. But at last agreed. There is one school (basic), there are 150 girls and boys, there is only one teacher The school is built of the local materials (grass, bamboos, wood) Edro is part of Geisan that was affected by war Many NGOs came for Assessment, surveys and talk about capacity building but nothing happen since three years ago. This includes UNICEF, IRC, among others. We do not trust anyone, and if there is something for this village you ADRA should bring it yourselves, otherwise it will not reach the poor people. Water Water is one of the priority problems The main water source is from one of the wadis Distant to the water source is more than one hour Attendants Amir Ibrahim Hilmy Mubarak El tom Mohammed Hassan Osman Awad Fadlalla El tom Juma Osman 3 adult community leader Teacher Sheik Chair of the community committee Community leader community members
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FOCUS GRO P DISCUSSION (3) Village Name: Guso Date: 1st Dec 2007 Distant from Geisan: 10 Km Poplation: 98 HH 1598 individuals Direction: East of Geisan (a member village in the Phunphun Administrative council which is composed of four villages, GusoBeldibrow – Bebisheiw- and Belmogo, Phunphun council population is 18,000 people) Team: Abd Elazziz Warag Jamal Elamin – Muhsien Abo elgasim – Abd Elrahman Shazali area H. Livelihood 1. Most of the villager income is generated from the followings: - Farming activities o Main farming activities begins in Jun – Dec, during this period farmers are growing sorghum as the major crop and a little sesame, o Primary farming activities begins October – May, o People here use to own animals, but most of these animals died because of the war and the few survived died of fly transmitted diseases. 5. Other income generation activities are: a. Cutting and selling bamboos b. Collecting gold along wadi Tomad and selling it in Geisan Market and generate additional income and require digging of wadi soil from 2 – 10 meter so as to collect pieces of gold c. If they have enough money, it will help them to do business in their area There is no market in this village; they go for marketing in Geisan; which is approximately two hours walking (some people have bicycles or donkeys so they reach the market in relatively shorter time – one Hour). It is very difficult to reach Geisan during the rainy season especially when wadi Tomad is full (the team have noticed that most of Phunphun peoples prefer to reach Geisan the day before the Market day (Saturday).
-
Team Leader (ADRA Sudan) Note taker (ADRA Sudan) Member (HAC/Federal) Enumerator (Blue Nile Network) Enumerator (HAC/State) Enumerator (HAC/State) originally from the
6.
I. Education 5. There is no school in this village
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6. The nearest school is in Geisan or Amorah village Two and half hours walking.
7. Type of Agricultural land 1. type of land. a. Hajaria and Badoba farming lands:: the main crops grown here are Sesame and sorghum Land tenure a. Land in this village is owned by farmers from their ancestors b. Each farmer owns approximately one Fadden, and the purpose is to grow food for the family consumption. It is not possible to grow wider land because of the bus trees and too much grass that hinders farming activities, c. At the border farmers have no problems among themselves (Ethiopians and Sudanese) most of phunphun people have relatives along the Ethiopian borders. d. There is no land ownership problem in this village Farming problems a. Farmers here are still practicing traditional farming system b. Traditional tools such as hoes (locally called Mondogab) grass cleaning tool (locally called Montobab) among other tools are used for farming, see attached photos. c. The village is bushy, lots of trees, grasses and wild trees are all over, to have access to farming space require lots of money and efforts to remove these trees d. There are pests in the area, especially a rate/mouse.
6.
7.
J. Health a. No health unit in this village, hospital is found in Geisan, with one docor b. Distant is approximately 1.30 hrs by donkey, but during the rainy season it is not possible to cross the wadi/khor, because its current is very strong c. The common diseases are i. Malaria ii. Diarrhea iii. Vomiting and iv. Fever v. Chest infections (they reported that most of the villagers suffer from a cut cough) d. they need at least a health unit with access to medicines K. Housing a. Houses are built of grasses, mud, wooden pools, bambos b. Average rooms per a household are 2 - 3 (1 bed room, elder children and kitchen)
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c. Villagers here are using Naffeer to built their houses d. They only clean their surroundings to prevent firing, so soon after cleaning grasses from their surroundings they also burn the rubbish. Attendants during the Focus group discussions were the Sheik, his assistant and community leaders. No women were attendant. Introduction of the team was done by HAC representative and ADRA Sudan on the objective of the assessment. There is no trained midwife There is no shop in the village There are one hand pump Distant to wadi and hand pump is equally half an hour by donkey Attendants: Ibrahim Nasur Ahmed Fadul Ahmed Yaguoub Isam Eldien Adam 4 community members Sheik Community leader Community leader Community leader community members
Needs expressed are: They need clinic built of permanent materials Mosque They need water points in the village They need youth center for recreation equipped with: o TV. o Valley ball o Football o Tenis o Any other sports These seemed to be copied from the youth centers established by IRC in other villages.
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FOCUS GRO P DISCUSSION (4) Village Name: Beldibrow Date: 1st Dec 2007 Distant from Geisan: 13 Km Poplation: 150 HH 1750 individuals Direction: East of Geisan (a member village in the Phunphun Administrative council which is composed of four villages, GusoBeldibrow the capital – Bebisheiw- and Belmogo, Phunphun council population is 18,000 people) Team: Abd Elazziz Warag Jamal Elamin – Muhsien Abo elgasim – Abd Elrahman Shazali L. Livelihood 1. Most of the villager income is generated from the followings: - Farming activities o Main farming activities begins in Jun – Dec, during this period farmers are growing sorghum as the major crop and a little sesame, o Primary farming activities begins October – May, o People here use to own animals, but most of these animals died because of the war and the few survived died of fly transmitted diseases. 7. Other income generation activities are: a. Cutting and selling bamboos b. Collecting gold along wadi Tomad and selling it in Geisan Market and generate additional income and require digging of wadi soil from 2 – 10 meter so as to collect pieces of gold c. If they have enough money, it will help them to do business in their area There is no market in this village; they go for marketing in Geisan or Amorah village; which is approximately two hours walking (some people have bicycles or donkeys so they reach the market in relatively shorter time – one Hour). It is very difficult to reach Geisan during the rainy season especially when Khowr (stream) Eldahab is full (the team have noticed that most of Phunphun peoples prefer to reach Geisan the day before the Market day (Saturday).
-
Team Leader (ADRA Sudan) Note taker (ADRA Sudan Enumerator (HAC-Federal) Enumerator (Blue Nile Network) Enumerator HAC Enumerator (HAC/State) originally from the area
8.
M. Education 8. There is one coeducation school in this village up to grad three expected to accept children for grads four & five next year. There are only three teachers
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available for the whole school. Teachers complained of the hard conditions facing the children especially the long walking distances children have to walk, lack of food (breakfast) and the general school poor condition.
9. Type of Agricultural land 1. type of land. a. Hajaria and Badoba farming lands:: the main crops grown here are Sesame and sorghum 8. Land tenure a. Land in this village is owned by farmers from their ancestors b. Each farmer owns approximately one Fadden, and the purpose is to grow food for the family consumption. It is not possible to grow wider land because of the bus trees and too much grass that hinders farming activities, c. At the border farmers have no problems among themselves (Ethiopians and Sudanese) most of phunphun people have relatives along the Ethiopian borders. d. There is no land ownership problem in this village 9. Farming problems a. Farmers here are still practicing traditional farming system b. Traditional tools such as hoes (locally called Mondogab) grass cleaning tool (locally called Montobab) among other tools are used for farming, see attached photos. c. The village is bushy, lots of trees, grasses and wild trees are all over, to have access to farming space require lots of money and efforts to remove these trees d. There are pests in the area, especially a rate/mouse.
N. Health a. No health unit in this village, hospital is found in Geisan, with one docor b. Distant is approximately 1.30 hrs by donkey, but during the rainy season it is not possible to cross the wadi/khor, because its current is very strong c. The common diseases are i. Malaria ii. Diarrhea iii. Vomiting and iv. Fever v. Chest infections (they reported that most of the villagers suffer from a cut cough) d. they need at least a health unit with access to medicines O. Housing a. Houses are built of grasses, mud, wooden pools, bambos b. Average rooms per a household are 2 - 3 (1 bed room, elder children and kitchen) c. Villagers here are using Naffeer to built their houses
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d. They only clean their surroundings to prevent firing, so soon after cleaning grasses from their surroundings they also burn the rubbish. Attendants during the Focus group discussions were the Sheik, and community leaders. No women were attendant. Introduction of the team was done by HAC representative and ADRA Sudan on the objective of the assessment. There is no trained midwife There is no shop in the village There are one hand pump Distant to wadi and hand pump is equally half an hour by donkey There is a youth club built with temporary local materials by the community upon the request of IRC which provided six chairs but, there is no activity.
Market prices for the bellow Items in Gesan Sunday Market. 4.1 1 Keila of Sorghum cost 6 SDGs - Wheat is not available and not preferred as a stable food in Geisan - 1 Kela of Maize cost 4 – 8 SDGs but it is not considered as their stable food - 1 Keila of Sesame cost 12 SDGs 4.2 1 Keila of lentils cost 32 SDGs 1 Keila of f Beans cost 17
4.5 others 75 SDGs 40 liters Jerrican of oil cost - 1 kg of salt cost 2.5 SDGs - 1 Keila of Onion cost 16 SDGs - KG of bull meat cost 6 SDGs - KG of sheep/goat meat cost 8 SDGs - Milk is not available in the market for sell. 4.6 Animal resources Cow o o o o o
Bull for breeding 400 SDGs Bull for meat purpose to be slaughter cost Goats for sell cost 75 – 80 SDGs Donkey for sell cost 250 -300 SDGs Sheep is not available
General Note on Geisan Villages: All Sheihs and the community leaders complained about the previous assessments conducted by several NGOs and no result. But at last accepted to participate. Many NGOs promised to conduct development activities but nothing happened. Page 29 of 32
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Geisan communities complain of lack of basic services in the entire area covered by the teams. This year there is a high rainfall in Geisan area and because of which farming products are very low compare to past years. Farmers in Geisan locality are growing sorghum as their stable food Children have interest to study but their families are poor to provide them with at least uniform and feeding at the school time. Students are short of note books, exercise books, no school uniform School is built from the local materials and is vulnerable to fire People living in Geisan are Faghashng clan (Berty) sub- tribe During the war/conflict, most of the people did not move out of their villages they only go to Ethiopia for days or months and come back The Boundary between Sudan and Ethiopia is very close 15-20 minutes on foot It is difficult to get treatment during the rainy season Tomad wadi/Khor is an obstacle between Geisan and most of the villages during the rainy season There is one grinding meal in the village provided by IRC There is a school built by the local contribution but not completed. 10-25% of the people have access to pit latrines Most of the men are married to 2 wives Children are vaccinated There are trained hand pump mechanics but do not have access to spare parts Most people go to traditional healer, but priority is to the Dr. They believe n both; Dr. and traditional healer Rain in Geisan always starts in April and ends in November (it rains for 30 minutes to 2 hours There is a problem of white aunts in Geisan as a whole. All houses are poorly constructed (grass, bamboos, wood)
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ADRA Blue Nile -Qiesan Survey November 2007 Partners team members Contact list Karar Ibrahim Karar Mohamed HAC – Federal NGO Department Tel: 0912918235 – 154988346 E.mail:kikjust@hotmail.com Rabeh Luin Jaber SRRC/HAC Blue Nile State - Humanitarian field monitor – Eldamazin Shazaly Tamim Makine Geissan Charity Association – Member , Damazin Mohamed Ahmed Awad Blue Nile Net – Deputy Secretary General Eldamazin Abo-Elgasim Ibrahime Mohamed Ahmed Bule Nile net . (B.N.N) Admeinstrative office – Damazin. Adbd-Elrahman Abd Elrazag Abd Elrahmen Elgenead Blue Nile State – Tel: 0913588218 Email:gendi20@yahoo.com Mohamed Hassan Kabashi Blue Nile State – Tel: 0912599531 – 0122474929 Mohsin Nor Eldin Ali (HAC) Khartoum Tel: 0122755644
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