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South Sudan + 6 more

South Sudan Situation: UNHCR Regional Update (1 - 15 August 2017)

Attachments

  • 2,005,631 Total South Sudanese refugees in the region as of 15 August (pre and post Dec 2013 caseload)

  • 574,871 South Sudanese refugee arrivals in 2017, based on field reports as of 15 August

  • 275,187 Refugees in South Sudan and 2 million IDPs as of 31 July

Regional Highlights

  • The total South Sudanese refugee population has hit two million with the population in Uganda reaching the one million mark. Of the two million, some 1.2 million are children under the age of 18, representing 63 per cent of the refugee population.

  • Over 14,000 new South Sudanese refugees have sought asylum in neighbouring countries in the first half of August. Refugees continue to report conflict, insecurity, forced recruitment, sexual violence, breakdown of basic services and food insecurity as main reasons for flight.

  • In Sudan, the influx of South Sudanese refugees into South Darfur remains ongoing, with nearly 10,500 arrivals since 1 July 2017. Sudan has surpassed the total anticipated new arrivals for 2017 by mid-August, with over 180,000 South Sudanese refugees arriving in Sudan in 2017 so far. However the total caseload of refugees who arrived in Sudan post-December 2013 remains below the overall planning figure estimate of 477,000, due to the roll-out of biometric registration of the existing caseload for whom individual registration had not occurred.

  • In Uganda, the number of elderly people among the new arrivals continues to increase. Many elderly refugees report that at the beginning of the conflict they had no intention of fleeing their country, but have been forced to flee as the situation deteriorated. Through border monitoring and interviews with arriving refugees, a rise in the number of single male new arrivals was noted at Busia Collection Centre. This can be partly attributed to fighters reportedly deserting armed groups. Infrastructure in Amuru has been damaged by the flooding, including Unyama Bridge, which connects Adjumani district to Palabek Settlement. The damage continues to affect movement of people, goods and services to a number of locations in and around Amuru district. Response efforts are underway.

  • In Ethiopia, the first week of August witnessed an increased influx of South Sudanese refugees crossing through Pagak Entry Point following reports of active conflict in South Sudan. The influx has since decreased, however the general security situation remains tense.

  • In Central African Republic, the IDP population arriving in Obo, where the South Sudanese refugees are currently hosted, continues to rise and now totals 5,155. UNHCR continues to monitor the situation.

  • In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the number of new South Sudanese refugee arrivals is increasing. A total of 944 new arrivals were registered in the first half of August, compared to 1,547 in the full month of July and 1,280 in June.