HIGHLIGHTS
5,691 people fled to Uganda from South Sudan on the 19th and 20th September. The average rate of new arrivals from South Sudan for September is 3,063 per day, compared to 1,594 and 1,727 per day in August and July respectively.
A revised South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan has been issued for 2016. Humanitarian agencies are appealing for US$759 million to provide lifesaving assistance to South Sudanese refugees in the region during 2016. The Uganda component requests for $251 million. Read more: http://data.unhcr.org/SouthSudan/download.php?id=2962
The total number of refugees in Bidibidi has now reached 103,377 after 3,427 refugees were relocated to the newly-opened settlement from Arua and Elegu 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 area started hosting refugees earlier this week with 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.
In Arua, a new road has been opened leading to Ofua in Rhino settlement, where some of the new arrivals are being hosted. 4km of road has been opened so far, with another 21km expected to be constructed in the days ahead.
In Bidibidi, meetings were held with a total of 394 people to raise awareness about sexual and gender-based violence, including what consequences perpetrators can expect, and what services are available to survivors. Three cases were reported immediately after the meetings and the individuals were provided with psycho-social support.
1,018 newly-arrived refugee children have been registered in local primary schools in Bidibidi. Four additional schools are set to be built in the settlement to accommodate the number of new arrivals.
The operation continues to focus on ensuring particularly vulnerable refugees receive the protection and assistance they require as soon as possible. 1,043 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. Best Interest Assessments are being conducted and all vulnerable individuals are being provided with specialist care as soon as they are identified.
1,240 individuals were relocated from Ocea Reception Centre to Ofua village within Rhino Camp in Arua district.