Select Committee on International Development Seventh Report

CHRONOLOGIES OF EVENTS

10. Much of the recent discussion on Sudan has revolved about questions of access and resources, and the merits of the Disasters Emergency Committee's public appeal for funds. We set out here for ease of reference the chronologies of events relevant to these issues:

Access Chronology

4 February 1998	Government of Sudan (GOS) imposes flight ban in all areas of Bahr el Ghazal and the Lakes in response to fighting around Wau between Government troops and those under the command of Joseph Kerubino
23 February 1998	Limited access granted
1 April 1998	Flight ban lifted
23 April 1998	Relief operations augmented by an additional C130 aircraft
14 May 1998	Relief operation augmented by four additional aircraft This brought the World Food Programme's operational capacity to five C-130s (the capacity for each C-130 rotation is 16 tonnes) and one Buffalo (capacity 6-7 tonnes per rotation). Two to three rotations possible per day.

Resources Chronology

7 October 1997	OLS monthly briefing in Nairobi states that 'northern Bahr el Ghazal and pockets of Western and Eastern Equatoria will face food security problems in 1998'.
15 November 1997	OLS Annual Needs Assessment identifies 250,000 people in Bahr el Ghazal/Lakes in need of food and non-food support in 1998.
29 January 1998	Fighting breaks out in Wau and other towns leading to displacement of c. 100,000. Total number of people in need estimated at 350,000.
19 February 1998	UN 1998 consolidated Appeal for Sudan launched for $109 million. Estimates 485,000 displaced and war-affected people in need of assistance in Bahr el Ghazal from April to July.
18 May 1998	World Food Programme estimates vulnerable population at 350,000 and states it has 15,518 tonnes of food available which could last to the end of July but only on substantially reduced rations.
Mid-May	Visit to Southern Sudan by DFID's Relief and Rehabilitation Field Manager confirms that WFP assessment of need is an underestimate.
End May	UN appeal received by end of May $30million (this figure does not include funds pledged). Number in need revised by WFP to 595,000.
11 June 1998	WFP publishes new figures indicating that more than 1.2 million people are in need of relief in Southern Sudan, including 701,000 in Bahr el Ghazal. 29,600 tonnes more food required to end of October, and $40 million of funds.

Appeal Chronology

2 February 1998	Emergency UNICEF appeal for £1.2 million from donor governments.
31 March 1998	UNICEF visit to Southern Sudan.
20 April 1998	Netherlands Committee for UNICEF launches an appeal with nine other Dutch NGOs.
21 April 1998	World Vision calls DEC Secretariat to present disturbing reports on situation in Bahr el Ghazal.
22 April 1998	Telephone conference of DEC NGO desk officers who agree more information is necessary.
24 April 1998	DEC discussion on Sudan with agreement that Bahr el Ghazal is the worst hit area but disagreement on the extent of need.
27 April 1998	Appeal launched by UK Committee of UNICEF. DEC Executive Committee decides unanimously against an appeal and for the need to maintain pressure on GOS to provide free access.
28 April 1998	DEC indicates to UNICEF in telephone conversation that views among its members were divided and decision had been taken not to launch a DEC appeal.
29 April 1998	CAFOD, Christian Aid and World Vision make own appeals to public.
15 May 1998	DEC makes courtesy call to DFID to say an appeal likely later that day. [NB disagreement between DFID and DEC as to whether DEC were told beforehand by DFID that they should not launch an appeal]
21 May 1998	DEC appeal launched (£6 million in three weeks).
28 May 1998	Speech by Rt Hon Clare Short MP critical of DEC appeal [comments repeated in another speech on 3 June and in the Dimbleby Programme on 7 June].
15 July 1998	SPLA announce willingness to agree a four month ceasefire in Bahr el Ghazal which is accepted by the Government of Sudan. [The Government of Sudan had previously expressed their willingness to agree a ceasefire.]

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Prepared 7 August 1998