KEY FIGURES
1,274
Number of new arrivals on Sunday 31st July (as per field reports)
1,793
Number of new arrivals on Saturday 30th July (as per field reports)
2,292
Number of new arrivals on Friday 29th July (as per field reports)
53,531
Number of new arrivals since 1st July 2016 (as per field reports)
33,838\*
Number of new arrivals registered since 1st January in Uganda (RIMS) (as of end of June)
229,176\*
Total number of South Sudanese refugees registered in Uganda (RIMS) (as of end of June)
*Figures (not updated daily) according to Uganda Government Refugee Information Management System (RIMS)
PRIORITIES
- Rapid opening of the newly identified settlement area in Yumbe.
HIGHLIGHTS
The number of people fleeing to Uganda from South Sudan reduced slightly over the weekend but continues to number in the thousands. 2,292 arrived on Friday, 1,793 on Saturday and 1,274 on Sunday.
On Friday, 1,649 people crossed the border using the Elegu border point (Adjumani axis), 59 in Lamwo, 159 in Oraba (Arua axis), while 426 were received at Kiryandongo Reception Centre. Border officials in Moyo report that there were no new arrivals on Friday. On Saturday, 1,190 people crossed the border using the Elegu border point (Adjumani axis), 63 in Moyo, 46 in Lamwo, 124 in Oraba (Arua axis), while 370 were received at Kiryandongo Reception Centre. On Sunday, 745 people crossed the border using the Elegu border point (Adjumani axis), 61 in Moyo, 62 in Lamwo, 257 in Oraba (Arua axis), while 149 were received at Kiryandongo Reception Centre.
New arrivals report fears that the security situation in South Sudan is set to deteriorate further. Refugees arriving from Magwi report widespread shootings by armed gunmen. Refugees in Kiryandongo reported killings being carried out by militias in Torit. Armed groups are also reportedly engaging in violence and looting properties in Yei.
New arrivals in Arua report that men suspected of being sympathetic to the SPLA-IO are being targeted by armed groups. Others report having received anonymous letters in Yei warning them to flee the town before the onset of fighting between rebel and government forces. There are reports that other people in South Sudan are looking to flee however, they do not currently have the financial resources to be able to reach the border.
Some female refugees have reported that their husbands have stayed behind in order to protect their homes and properties in case war breaks out.
The Government of Uganda has decided to open a new refugee settlement in Yumbe, called Bidibidi, with a capacity of more than 100,000 individuals. The settlement will start receiving refugees this week, as early as Wednesday 3 August. OPM and UNHCR agreed with a group of UN and NGO partners who will respond during the initial emergency response phase in Yumbe. All partners have initiated their operations. The land clearing of the reception centre site is progressing well, and the construction of communal shelters at the reception centre has started.
Humanitarian organisations are stepping up their response efforts in order to help South Sudanese refugees rebuild their new lives: http://www.unhcr.org/news/latest/2016/7/579a033b4/south-sudanesefamilies-rebuild-lives-ugandan-refugee-settlement.html
UPDATE ON SITUATION
The majority of new arrivals in Adjumani are of Madi and Lutuko ethnicities. Smaller numbers were of Shiluk, Peri, Lobulo, Nuer, Kuku and Dinka ethnicities. In Arua, the majority of new arrivals are Kakwa, Pojulu and Kuku.
Most of the new arrivals in Adjumani and Kiryandongo were from Eastern Equatoria with smaller numbers arriving from Juba and Upper Nile. In Arua, most new arrivals are fleeing from Yei.
Transit and Reception Centres
230 refugees spent last night at Elegu collection point, well within its 1,000-person capacity. 107 people stayed at Kuluba collection point, which has capacity for 400 people.
Transit centres remain severely overstretched. 15,838 spent last night at Nyumanzi Transit Centre, far beyond its roughly 3,000-person capacity. The Office of the Prime Minister, UNHCR and partners have been relocating some individuals to reception centres in Maaji settlement to try and ease some of the congestion. 2,176 stayed at Ocea Transit Centre which has capacity for just 500 people. 3,263 people spent the night at Kiryandongo Reception Centre, well above it 700-person capacity.
Operational Update
Solar lighting has been installed in the reception centres in Pagirinya, bringing the total number of operational solar lights up to twelve.
In Nyumanzi, additional water tankers and trucks have been delivered. The water tank at the health clinic has been chlorinated while a chlorinator was installed at a borehole in nearby Baratuku.
In Kiryandongo, Global Acute Malnutrition was at 14.05% over the last week, above UNHCR emergency standards. A hot meal supplementary feeding programme targeting malnourished mothers and children has been launched.
The Office of the Prime Minister has agreed to deploy additional police forces to cover the enlarged population size at Nyumanzi and Pagirinya.
A public information system has been installed in Nyumanzi Transit Centre and is broadcasting messages on hygiene, sexual and gender-based violence, protection and other issues.
Kitchens in Pagirinya reception centres have now become operational and are serving hot meals to new arrivals.
Critical Needs
In Arua, there is a need to increase the availability of clean water at Ocea Transit Centre. Currently, water trucks are delivering water by transporting it from nearby sources.
Anti-malarial medicine has run out of stock in Kuluba health centre.
There is a need for new latrines, and for current latrines to be emptied, in Nyumanzi Transit Centre and Pagirinya reception centres.