HIGHLIGHTS
1,039 South Sudanese refugees fled to Uganda yesterday, a similar level to the 1,051 that fled the previous day.
233 refugees arrived in Uganda using the Elegu border point (Adjumani axis), 71 in Moyo, 55 in Lamwo and 471 in Oraba (Arua axis). Oraba continues to now be the main border entry point, where as previously it has been Elegu.
This appears to be due to the greater number of people fleeing from Central Equatoria in recent days and the reduced number of people fleeing from Eastern Equatoria. 208 people were received at Kiryandongo Reception Centre.New arrivals report intense fighting between armed groups in Central Equatoria. Others report armed groups harassing civilians, kidnapping young men and boys and sexually assaulting women and girls in Central Equatoria and in Juba. Reportedly, particularly heavy fighting is taking place in Kajo Keji.
New arrivals have begun to arrive in Arua from Juba. Typically, the vast majority of new arrivals in Arua are from Central Equatoria. Those fleeing from Juba reported a deteriorating security situation, where lootings and targeted killings are becoming increasingly common, particularly during night time hours.
654 refugees were relocated from Adjumani and Arua to Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe. The total number of people settled there now stands at 9,638. In line with the intensive activities taking place to contain the spread of cholera, intensive disinfectant spraying is taking place for all those travelling and their property.
Three new suspected cases of cholera were identified yesterday. In total, 45 cases have been identified (44 South Sudanese refugees and one Ugandan national), of which 42 have successfully received treatment and been discharged. Those who contract the disease are having their houses disinfected and their water supply drained to prevent further infection. A door to door awareness-raising campaign is ongoing. The sale of fresh produce at markets and roadsides has been temporarily prohibited. A Cholera Task Force has been formed in Adjumani under the chair of the Resident District Commissioner. Oral rehydration salts have also been prepositioned in Pagirinya in case of additional further cases. People entering reception facilities are being made to first wash their hands. Continued surveillance and monitoring of the health situation of refugees remains a top priority.
UPDATE ON SITUATION
Transit and Reception Centres
42,898 refugees are resident at different reception facilities. A head count was conducted at Nyumanzi Transit Centre and found there has been a reduction in the population residing there. The current population now stands at 8,008, still above its capacity of 3,500. The reduction is understood to be due to people choosing to leave the transit centre in order to reunite with their families or friends who are already resident in settlement areas. In addition, 1,133 refugees were relocated from Nyumanzi Transit Centre to the reception centre in Maaji III and 12 refugees were taken to Pagirinya to aid decongestion efforts.
219 refugees spent the night at Elegu Collection Point, which has the capacity for 1,000 refugees. 781 refugees were found to be staying at Kuluba Collection Point.
1,913 refugees have been staying at Ocea Transit Centre, which has the capacity for 500 refugees with added temporary structures. Additional efforts continue to be made to decongest Ocea Transit Centre through relocations to Bidibidi settlement. 27,348 refugees are staying at reception facilities in Pagirinya, which have a total capacity for 3,360 people.
2,827 people remain at Kiryandongo Reception Centre. They are being wristbanded before they are transferred to Bidibidi.
Operational Gaps
Decongesting reception facilities remains a top priority. The current situation where people are living in overcrowded conditions increase the risk of the spread of disease. This has become even more imperative following the outbreak of cholera, though it should be noted that the number of new cases remains small at this stage.
Increased security personnel are needed to support the police, in light of the significant increased population in some areas of Adjumani district.