Highlights
- According to UNHCR and OPM, an estimated 90 per cent of the 43,179 new arrivals are women and children and 73 per cent (31,520) are children.
- All children under-five among the new refugee arrivals are being screened and treated for malnutrition. At the main Elegu reception centre, a total of 4,331 children have been screened from July 18-26, 2016 with 6.2% GAM level (4.4% MAM and 1.8% SAM) recorded (Source: OPM).
- Some 5,501 and 11,536 children have been immunized against polio and measles respectively at the Elegu reception centre.
- Over 2,500 new arrivals in Pagirinya settlement are accessing safe water, following completion of five new borehole installations by UNICEF.
- Water, sanitation and hygiene needs for new arrivals at Elegu reception centre was supported through UNICEF supply of 4,000 litres of effective micro-organism for sanitation, 10 handwashing facilities, 10 cartons of soap, 2 tins of Chlorine powder, 10 boxes of water treatment tablets.
- Some 215 Early Childhood Development (ECD) kits were distributed to Adjumani, Yumbe, Koboko and Arua districts to support the ongoing influx.
- Children are still in dire need of basic services in Health, WASH, Protection and Nutrition given other daily increasing number of arrivals to Uganda.
Situation Overview and Humanitarian Needs
According to UNHCR and the Office of the Prime Minister, recommencement of fighting in South Sudan early in July 2016 has triggered increased population movement to Uganda. Some 43,179 new arrivals amongst them 73 per cent (estimated 31,520 children) having arrived since 7 July 2016. More than 90 per cent of new arrivals continue to be women and children. An alarming 32,506 people are residing in collection points, transit and reception centers in anticipation of government finalization of new settlement areas.
UNICEF participated in an inter-agency assessment mission led by UNHCR and OPM from 20 to 24 July, 2016.
Findings from the assessment informed the decision and plans to open a new settlement area in Yumbe district. The new settlement could potentially host up to 100,000 refugees, and already has a number of decommissioned facilities from previous response to displacement. Some observations from the assessment include the following:
- All facility services at points of entry, reception and transit centres are overstretched with delays in registration of new arrivals at Elegu Reception Centre. UNICEF with Save the Children continues to monitor the situation of children at reception and transit sites.
- Partners report that currently, there are 71 (41 male and 29 female) unaccompanied children and 1,580 (826 male and 754 female) separated children. Gaps remain in the provision of psychosocial support services especially at collection and reception centers and on-the-job training for humanitarian workers on child Protection Minimum Standards in humanitarian action.
- Nutrition screening of all newcomers by health and nutrition partners is ongoing. According to OPM field reports, 4,331 children were screened from July 18-26, 2016. It is reported that the global acute malnutrition (GAM) level is at 6.2% (Severe acute malnutrition (SAM) = 1.8% and moderate acute malnutrition (MAM) = 4.4%).
- Children are at risk from an existing malaria outbreak in the hosting West Nile region. Insecticide treated nets are being distributed by Ministry of Health at Nyumanzi settlement. Stocks of artemisinin combination therapy are being monitored to ensure steady supply.
- The WASH situation at reception centers has reportedly improve. Given the added risk of cholera especially in this rain season, District Health Officers have expanded diseases surveillance to reception and transit areas for early detection of possible outbreaks.
- Facilities for continued learning are limited. Teachers’ accommodation and WASH facilities for pupils and teachers is a challenge. Upcoming schools will require instructional and scholastic material. There is need for teacher recruitment and capacity strengthening to support learning of refugee children.