South Sudan - Kapoeta North, Eastern Equatoria: IDPs Assessment from Kapoeta East - January 2022

1.1.Background

In early January 2022, the Kapoeta North County Authority through the media indicated that over 3500 persons from JIE Payam of Kapoeta East had been displaced to Lokoges and Wokobu bomas in Karukomuge Payam of Kapoeta North County. Humanitarian partners and Kapoeta North County officials visited the two bomas on 13th Jan 2022 and were informed by the host chief that the number had increased to about 5000 people triggering the need for an IRNA to ascertain the needs.

A partners meeting was held on 21/1/2022 that scheduled for the IRNA on 26/1/2022. 16 partners attended the meeting among them; Islamic Relief Worldwide, Roots of Generation, Catholic Relief Services, Rural Action Against Hunger, VNG International, OPRD, SCI, CCM, OPEN, NPA, ADRA, WHO, UNOCHA, Plan International, AVSI, CDI, and County Health Department. Organization for Peace, Relief, and Development (OPRD), that is the Deep Field Cluster Coordinator (DFC) for Greater Kapoeta led the assessment process.

1.2.Objective of the Assessment

Obtain firsthand information on the causes of displacement from the IDPs Establish the humanitarian needs resulting from the displacement and recommend mitigation measures Ascertain accessibility to IDP locations and establish any protection needs.

1.3. Method of Assessment and Data collection.

The IRNA at Lokoges Boma was based on observation, FGDs, and Key Informant Interviews and secondary data from the relevant authorities.

1.4. Summary of Key findings

• The displacement is mainly due to severe lack of food in Kapoeta East.

• The IDPs had scattered to different villages. According to chiefs, over 4250 IDPs (subject to verification) were still around Karukomuge Payam villages while others returned to JIE after accumulating some food stuffs for elders back home.

• On observation, women and children formed the largest number of IDPs while youth were reported to have remained back home to take care of the elderly persons who could not trek the long distances.

• There are no partner providing static Nutrition services in Kapoeta East. In Kapoeta North, Lokoges PHCU offers Nutrition services, outpatient therapeutic Program, targeted supplementary feeding program and MIYCN activities. Records at the PHCU for 7 days indicated 42 cases for malaria, 40 cases for diarrhea.

• The Jie IDPs in Kapoeta North County are willing to return home once there is enough food or when rains resume in the months of April-May.

• The host community is equally facing water crisis due to limited water points in the two bomas of Wokobu and Lokoges. The only available water pond in Lokoges is shared by IDPs and host community for both livestock use and domestic chores.

• Some IDPs were on their way back to Jie hoping to benefit from the GFD programme in Kapoeta East. The presence of IDPs is causing pressure on resources of the host community and the local leaders reported of food insecurity among the host community.