HIGHLIGHTS
The influx of South Sudanese refugees in to Uganda was lower over the weekend than it has typically been in recent weeks. 667 South Sudanese refugees crossed in to Uganda on Sunday 14th August, 754 on Saturday 13th August and 1,614 on Friday 12th August.
There are now more refugees arriving using the Oraba border point (1,239 during the course of the weekend) than through the Elegu border point (570 during the weekend). This is in line with new arrivals now typically originating from Central Equatoria, where refugees report fighting taking place between government forces and rebel troops, especially in Yei and Gurumbe, as compared to previous weeks when new arrivals were mostly fleeing from Eastern Equatoria and Juba. Nevertheless, new arrivals from all areas continue to report that the security situation in South Sudan remains fragile.
New arrivals continue to be received at Kiryandongo Reception Centre, despite it having shut last week. Awareness campaigns are ongoing at reception facilities to inform refugees that they will be unable to settle at Kiryandongo. As a result, the number of people received at Kiryandongo dropped to just 285 and 114 on Saturday and Sunday respectively. Those who did arrive came directly from their area of origin in South Sudan.
Many refugees report having spent days in the bush, often without food, in order to hide from armed groups and flee to Uganda. Refugees from Torit report road blocks manned by armed groups preventing people from fleeing.
1,560 refugees were transferred to Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe district over the three days, bringing the total number of new arrivals settled in Yumbe to 8,298.
The provision of clean water at Ocea Transit Centre is very low. Currently, there is 4.6 litres per person per day being provided, compared to the UNHCR emergency standard of 20 litres per person per day. This is due to the continued increased influx of new arrivals in to Arua district.
Refugees arriving from Juba report that the fare to travel from Juba to Nimule has increased from 300 to 1,000 South Sudanese pounds, making travel prohibitively expensive for some people looking to flee. Those who do make the journey risking becoming a victim to widespread robberies. Others are being extorted by armed groups in order to be permitted to continue their journey. Other new arrivals are reporting that some armed groups are implementing a curfew after 1800 in some areas.
Temporary structures that were hosting a classrooms, a registration centre, reception centre and health clinic, amongst others, were destroyed by heavy winds and storms. Four refugees were injured when a 10,000 litre water tank was damaged. Works is underway to make repairs.
UPDATE ON SITUATION
Transit and Reception Centres
44,732 refugees spent the night at reception facilities in West Nile. The exact figure for those staying at Kiryandongo Reception Centre is no longer available as registration of new arrivals has ceased ahead of planned relocations to Yumbe district. 122 refugees spent the night at Elegu Collection Point, which has the capacity for 1,000 refugees. 718 refugees were found to be staying at Kuluba Collection Point.
13,468 refugees are currently staying at Nyumanzi Transit Centre, which has the capacity to accommodate 3,500 refugees. Similarly, 2,569 refugees have been staying at Ocea Transit Centre, which has the capacity for 500 refugees with added temporary structures. 27,855 refugees are staying at Pagirinya I and II Reception Centres, which is far beyond the capacity of these centres.
2,857 people remain at Kiryandongo Reception Centre. They are being provided with wristbands before they are transferred to Bidibidi.
Response Update
126 shelters specially designed for persons with specific needs, such as the elderly, disabled, orphans, single mothers, etc... have been constructed in Bidibidi settlement.
25 new posters advertising a telephone number to call to report acts of sexual and gender-based violence were put up at reception centres in Pagirinya as part of an ongoing awareness-raising campaign. Security has been enhanced at Elegu collection point through the installation of lighting in the overnight shelters.
A three-day campaign on sexual and gender-based violence began on the 12th in Bidibidi. 43 members of the community took part, who will be empowered to become community workers who will work with their communities.
Operational Gaps
The risk of disease outbreak is high due to overcrowding at reception centres. Awareness campaigns are being carried out to promote good hygiene practices. Most of the reception and transit centres have been holding three to four times more refugees than their capacity.
There is a need for increased water deliveries by trucks and for more water boreholes to be drilled as water provision at reception facilities remains below the UNHCR standard.