South Sudan: Response to the Sudan Crisis Situation Report No. 23 (As of 22 December 2023)

This update is produced by OCHA South Sudan in collaboration with humanitarian partners. It covers the two-week period from 9-22 December 2023.

KEY MESSAGES

• Humanitarian partners in Renk are scaling up preparedness efforts to respond to the anticipated increase in arrivals from Sudan due to the escalation of the conflict, including cholera preparedness capacity and onward transportation of refugees and returnees. Onward transportation assistance (OTA) remains the most critical need in the response to reduce overcrowding and the need for shelter, water and food in key transit locations.

• Safe onward movement of new arrivals from border locations remains a critical challenge, exacerbated by generalized insecurity, threat of kidnap/attack and poor road conditions. Two refugees were reported dead following an attack on a UNHCR convoy transporting refugees from Abyei to the Wedweil refugee settlement on 13 December. New arrivals continue to report abuse, looting, harassment and human rights violations during their journey.

SITUATION OVERVIEW

• The conflict in Sudan continues to force thousands of people to enter South Sudan, where resources to respond to their needs remain limited.

• As of 22 December, 454,956 people were recorded crossing the border from Sudan to South Sudan since 15 April. Some 83 per cent of the arrivals were South Sudanese, 15 per cent were Sudanese refugees and asylum-seekers and the rest were of other nationalities. Of the total arrivals, 176,827 people moved to destinations of choice, with 48 per cent assisted by humanitarian partners. A total of 410,078 people received high-energy biscuits, in-kind food or cash assistance to meet their immediate food and nutrition needs.

• Some 22,968 people arrived during the reporting period, averaging 1,641 arrivals daily. An increase in the arrival numbers was observed towards the end of the reporting period, with 7,275 people arriving between 20 and 22 December, averaging 2,425 arrivals daily.

• In Renk, partners will provide one-off assistance cash amount to approximately 38,000 people following the endorsement by the Humanitarian Country Team. The Food Security and Livelihoods Cluster is coordinating the harmonization of cash programming among partners.

• Almost 71,803 refugees and asylum-seekers have sought asylum in South Sudan. More than 26,000 refugees are hosted in Renk, followed by 17,312 in Maban, 12,497 in Juba and 11,242 in Aweil. UNHCR has biometrically registered 91 per cent (more than 65,000 people) of the refugees and asylum-seekers.