HIGHLIGHTS
2,700 people have fled to Uganda over the past two days, 1,386 on Monday and 1,314 on Sunday.
Oraba continues to be the main border crossing point, and is now receiving nearly twice as many new arrivals on a daily basis than Elegu. This reflects the fact that most people arriving in Uganda in recent days are fleeing from Central Equatoria.
New arrivals report widespread lootings and the abduction of children in to armed groups. Some of the refugee children spoke of having been away from home when violence broke out, and finding family members missing or killed once they were finally able to return home. They were then forced to walk through the bush for days, often without food, in order to reach safety. Other new arrivals spoke of their grief at having to leave elderly family members, who were to sick or frail to make the journey, behind. Fighting continues to be reported in towns across Central Equatoria, particularly in Yei.
2,369 refugees from Adjumani and Arua districts were relocated to Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe, bringing the total number of refugees settled there to 22,869.
Key water and sanitation indicators are improving as reception facilities become decongested. In the reception centres in Pagirinya, clean water provision is now above 15 litres per person per day while in Nyumanzi Transit Centre, Elegu collection Point and Pagirinya settlement, refugee-to-hygienepromoter ratios are at 267:1, 68:1 and 289:1 respectively, within UNHCR emergency minimum standards of 500:1.
Special food provisions are being provided to persons with specific needs such as the elderly, disabled, orphans, single mothers, etc…This helps them to avoid having to stand for long periods of time in queues for food. Referral systems have been strengthened to ensure that such individuals are identified early in order that they may be provided with the particular protection assistance they need.
In Bidibidi settlement, elections successfully took place amongst members of the community for representation on the Refugee Welfare Council. Nine members were elected to represent different demographics amongst the refugee population.
56 people have now been treated for suspected cholera, including two Ugandan nationals. 55 have been successfully treated and discharged from health facilities. Quarantined treatment of new cases and strengthened monitoring continues to be in place, though the number of daily new cases is low.