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South Sudan

Case Study: Market-Integrated Relief in Yida Refugee Camp

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Executive Summary

Yida refugee camp is located in Unity State which sits in the northern part of South Sudan. The refugee population arrived from neighboring South Kordofan State following fighting that started in 2011 and is still on-going.
Over the last two years refugees have continued to stream across the border and today the population sits at 70,2921. The camp has a fully array of services being provided on a routine basis with support from UN agencies (UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF, WHO, UNOPS, and UNHAS) and NGO partners (Médecins Sans Frontières, CARE, Solidarites, Non-violent Peace Force, Africa Action Help, and the International Rescue Committee).

This study was initiated in response to a growing demand for information in regards to the impact of a milling-voucher program which became operational in May 2013. Previous assessments had highlighted that refugees were exchanging large portions of their rations for milling services, resulting in reduced monthly food consumption below that of the allocated Sphere size ration. The program was intended to reverse this trend by providing refugees with access to milling services through the distribution of milling vouchers. All data collection and review of secondary data occurred during October 2013.

Main findings were:

• Households reported that GFD cereals last between 4-7 days longer per month than prior to the program.

• Percentage of ration being exchanged for milling services dropped from 27% before the program to 2% after.

• 93% of millers reported being able to procure fuel in Yida even during the rainy season.

• Fuel prices in Yida market experienced a moderate spike after program implementation however prices stabilized and adjusted to new levels of demand after two months.

• Participating millers reported a 41% loss in profits and a 20% reduction in hours of operation.
Underlying factors contributing to this decrease are believed to be an increase in number of ser vice providers and price-gouging prior to the program.