HIGHLIGHTS
9,252 South Sudanese people have fled to Uganda on 7 and 8 September 2016 with majority of new arrivals coming from Oraba Entry Point and Kuluba Collection Point of Koboko district.
Uganda is currently witnessing yet another surge in refugee mass arrivals, with more than 4,000 South Sudan refugees entering Uganda each day of this week. The response operation is now within the worst case contingency scenario. It is expected that another 100,000 additional refugees may arrive until the end of the year, binging the total 2016 to 260,000 refugees.
Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe district now hosts almost 56,000 refugees, just over one month after it was opened. It is expected that Bidibidi could shelter over 100,000 refugees in one month.
Concerning refugee registration, it was agreed with OPM that the biometric registration, in RIMS, of refugees living in the new Bidibidi settlement will start next Monday, 12 September. UNHCR and OPM also agreed to resume the refugee population verification for all refugee groups hosted by Uganda, which was halted due to the emergency surge. It is expected that the verification of all refugee settlements will be completed by the end of the year.
In a breakthrough, the relocation of refugees staying at Nyumanzi TC over the past month was mutually agreed with refugees and their leaders. Relocation from Nyumanzi was a complex issue, due to a variety of factors. Now OPM has identified sufficient vacant plots in existing refugee settlements in Adjumani, and refugees have accepted to relocate to these plots. OPM, UNHCR and partners have relocated 2,119 refugees from Nyumanzi Transit Centre to Boroli and Aiyilo refugee settlements during the reporting period. 4,134 refugees remain in Nyumanzi. It is expected that the TC will be closed in the course of next week.
The Mass nutrition (MUAC) screening started in Bidibidi Settlement from September 07. This is being carried out by a team of 60 village health members and 6 nutrition assistants in coordination with UNHCR, ACF and Concern Worldwide. The Mass MUAC exercise will be carried out for 3 days to ascertain the current nutrition situation in the settlement.
16 members from the women’s group were trained on SGBV prevention and response and psychological first aid in Bidibidi I and II.
In Arua, a total of 111 Best Interest Assessments (BIAs) were conducted for children at risk at Ocea Reception Centre. Following the BIAs foster care arrangements and placements were initiated for Unaccompanied Minors.
18 more medical staff (06 from MTI and 12 from Koboko District Local Government) were deployed to Kuluba Collection Point and Oraba Entry Point for expediting the medical screening process, which will ease the transfer process of refugees to Bidibidi Settlement.