Key Highlights
▪ Headcounts were conducted along Joda border and in communities hosting arrivals from the informal border crossings, estimating 82,516 refugees and returnees across eight remote locations, the majority arriving in the past weeks. Most arrivals entering via Joda Border Point are South Sudanese returnees from refugee camps across White Nile State. In contrast, those entering via unofficial crossings are mainly Sudanese nationals from Sennar and Blue Nile States.
▪ Since early December, an average of 3,000 refugees and returnees arrive at Renk County daily, over half via the informal border crossings. Partners have established border monitoring at all six border crossings.
▪ Health workers in Renk County Hospital have treated over 200 weapon-wounded individuals, with three reported fatalities. Additional tents have been set up, and medical capacity expanded.
Situation Overview
The hostilities in Sudan’s Blue Nile, Sennar and White Nile States, including the areas close to the border with South Sudan, continued, leading to more displacement, including into South Sudan. On 19 December, three WFP staff were killed in aerial bombardment in Blue Nile State. The security situation at the Joda official border point has improved following the resumption of humanitarian activities on December 10.
New arrivals had decreased as of 20 December to approximately 3,000 per day across all border crossings combined. Upon entering via these points, new arrivals set up informal sites across eight arrival locations in host community villages. Those arriving have already established makeshift shelters and prefer to remain in these hosting sites, integrating into the local community.