International agencies, including INGOs, Donors, and the UN have been following the situation of the internally displaced people (IDPs) in Khartoum State for the past years. The impact of the ongoing urban re-planning process has raised concerns and lead to vital questions about the current and future situation of the IDPs. Therefore in September 2004, it was decided that a joint assessment of four of the IDP areas, Soba Arradi, Mayo Farms IDP camp, Wad el Bashier IDP camp and Omdurman es Salaam IDP camp, was needed to assess the impact of the re-planning process, the current socio-economic situation of the IDPs, and their plans regarding returning to their home areas.
The following report is a summary of the key findings, providing statistical as well as qualitative data regarding the negative impact of the re-planning of the IDP areas, the lack of services to these populations in terms of water, sanitation and health, and the health implications. In addition, the survey revealed the link between access to land and the IDP’s plans of returning or staying in Khartoum.
The findings in this report provide a current picture of the IDP situation in Khartoum and a tool for advocacy for an equitable process of re-planning and discussion for provision of much needed services to the communities in Khartoum. Although the report is not conclusive regarding the physical implications of re-planning on basic services in the target communities, the data does indicate the perceived issues regarding the process and provides some indicators and correlations that should be further investigated. Lastly, the results of this assessment should be viewed within the larger context of the IDP returnee situation in Sudan, as well as the major impact that the expected North-South peace agreement will have on political, social, physical and economic issues for IDPs.
