HIGHLIGHTS
6,715 South Sudanese people fled to Uganda on the 19th and 20th September, around 90% of whom crossed in to the country in Arua district. Refugees are increasingly using a number of informal border crossing points, particularly in Busia, Angili and Chakulia. Refugees are reportedly using these new border crossing points to avoid confrontation with armed groups. Other refugees are arriving directly at Ocea Reception Centre. 1,419 new arrivals crossed directly in to Yumbe district.
The operation continues to focus on ensuring particularly vulnerable refugees receive the protection and assistance they require as soon as possible. 542 vulnerable individuals were identified, the majority of whom are children arriving in Uganda either with relatives other than their parents, or with no relatives at all. Some children are acting as primary caregivers to younger siblings. All vulnerable individuals are being provided with specialist care as soon as they are identified.
4,003 refugees were relocated from Arua and Elegu to Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe, bringing the total refugee population in Yumbe to 93,109 refugees. Last week, the Government and UNHCR conducted an assessment to determine the suitability of locations near to current settlement areas for hosting refugees. A new settlement areas will start hosting refugees from today. It has an expected capacity of up to 80,000 refugees, bringing the total capacity of Bidibidi settlement to around 180,000. Further site assessments are set to take place in the near future to identify additional potential settlement areas.
UNHCR’s Deputy Representative met with the Yumbe Local Council Chairperson 5, where they discussed some of the challenges being faced in light of the ongoing influx of new arrivals, particularly ways in which the humanitarian response can provide support to bolster local health systems in light of the increased population they now serve.
Additional boreholes are being drilled in Arua to increase the provision of clean water in Rhino Camp.
In Bidibidi, blankets and sleeping mats were distributed to 2,555 people at the reception centre. Other distributions continue to take place in the settlement to provide refugees with core relief items, as some refugees failed to receive all of these items when they initially arrived as they were out of stock. More building tools, such as pangas, hoes, slashers and sickles are needed to help refugees clear their allocated plots so that they have space to construct their shelters.
One of the key priorities for the operation in West Nile is to minimize the risk of a spread of cholera. Campaigns are ongoing to raise awareness amongst refugee communities about the importance of maintaining high hygiene standards, and measures they can take to reduce their chance of contracting the disease. New arrivals undergo medical screening and are provided with a briefing and information booklet on cholera, as well as information on how to report incidents of sexual assault. No new cases of cholera have been reported in Pagirinya or Boroli in more than a week.