2/ First a little history: Under former dictator Omar al-Bashir, relief groups found it nearly impossible to work. Many were treated as western spies in the lead up to the ICC indictments against Bashir in 2009. After the indictments, 13 aid groups were kicked out of the country
3/ At the time, relief work was controlled largely by a body called the Humanitarian Aid Commission, or HAC, which has a separate commissioner in each of Sudan's 18 states that is appointed by the respective governor. #SudanCoup #Sudan
4/ During Sudan's brief democratic transition, the political will of the civilian cabinet enabled relief operations to run much smoother than it ever did under Bashir. But HAC still was never reformed. And after the coup, the entity quickly resorted to old habits.
5/ As donors quickly pivoted to pouring money into humanitarian assistance, state and federal officials -- including HAC -- saw an opportunity to once again exert control over the sector and to milk the lucrative industry of humanitarian aid for their own gain.
7/ The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that there is no way to know how much is being paid or requested (informally or formally). The UN agency said INGOs file their total expenses under 'oversight or operational' costs, without itemizing each fee.
8/ While INGOs have said that these new additional costs are minor, some said that they have been asked to provide expensive assets such as cars. Some aid groups said relief agencies are hesitant to push back out of fear of being kicked out of #Sudan or losing access to areas.
9/ For instance, I learned of one recent incident where all INGOs were denied access to a conflict zone in Darfur after one of them declined to ferry out soldiers because it didn't have a driver. This case suggests that military intelligence has firm control over aid operations.
10/ More alarming, state officials have attempted to interfere in INGO procurement through requesting to be included on procurement board of each respective aid group.
I have been told that aid groups have pushed back on these requests since this could compromise relief. Many fear that state officials -- if on procurement boards -- could pressure INGOs to award tenders to businesses close to the security services. #SudanCoup
11/ In #Sudan, the military and other security forces have a monopoly over dozens of civilian sectors in the economy such as fuel, wheat, and car imports, as well as the provision of water and telecommunication services (see next tweet).
12/ Some INGOs fear that they may soon have little choice but to award a contract to a company linked to the security apparatus, which could sow distrust between the INGO and recipients of aid – especially in times of conflict. Worst still, it could exacerbate conflict.
13/ According to experts, pushing back on these corrupt practices to protect the integrity of aid is essential considering that more than half the country (18 to 20 million people) are expected to need humanitarian assistance this year, according to the World Food Programme.
14/ But INGOs can't push back alone. Maintaining the integrity of aid in Sudan is going to require a united front -- INGOs, U.N agencies and donor countries -- to ensure that humanitarian relief remains a lifeline for civilians in need, and not for the coup regime. #Sudan
END
END
Loading suggestions...