River Nile State, Khartoum and Khartoum North in Khartoum state, Medani in Aljazeera state and EL-Obeid in North Kordufan state. 6.2 Ethnic composition South Kordufan/Nuba Mountains state is mainly inhabited by Nuba ethnic tribes, tribes of Arab origin among other groups. The Nuba and other African groups are mainly farmers (cultivators) whereas the Arab ethnic groups are generally cattle keepers. Blue Nile State is inhabited by African ethnic groups and Arabs their main activities are farming and cattle keeping. 7 Methodology In data collection and information gathering, HUDO Centre used different methods. HUDO centre had established a network consisting of field monitors and focal people to gather information within the conflict areas and among IDPs. The network/monitors managed to cover some incidents since it was not possible to have easy access to the whole area geographically. Information from the field was critically analyzed by a reporting panel at Kampala office. The panel used analytical methods to sort the information in order to arrive at accurate findings that are included in this report. For the purposes of consolidating this report HUDO Centre also used the following methods in collecting and analyzing data/ information; 1. 2. 3. 4. 8 HUDO centre developed data forms. Conducted interviews with victims, relatives and witnesses Verified comments from professionals (Lawyers, Doctors e.t.c) Scrutinized official declarations Limitation and challenges 1. The state of Emergency imposed in the two states restricts the movement of field monitors. This directly hindered the process and time taken in collecting data. 2. The keen suspicion from intelligence (NISS and MI) to newcomers in towns and anybody that talks about human rights. 3. Poor means of transport whereby roads are not very accessible within the rainy season. 4. Some of the victims and witnesses do not easily reveal information due to security threats. According to interviews that were conducted by HUDO monitors, some of the victims or the witnesses expressed their fears from security agencies. 5. The number of monitors was not enough to cover the incidents geographically 6. The monitors‟ fear for their lives in case the interviewed victims were subjected to torture and forced to reveal them. 7. The general situation of insecurity in the conflict areas 5