Attachments
1,986,025* Total South Sudanese refugees in the region as of 31 July (pre and post Dec 2013 caseload)
560,688* South Sudanese refugee arrivals in 2017, based on field reports as of 31 July
275,187 Refugees in South Sudan and 2 million IDPs as of 31 July
Regional Highlights
■ Over 40,000 South Sudanese refugees fled South Sudan into neighbouring countries in July, including almost 25,000 in the second half of the month. There are now 1.98 million South Sudanese refugees in the region and this number is likely to hit 2 million in the coming weeks.
■ The current rainy season is impacting the ability of South Sudanese to access asylum and the refugee response in asylum countries. Several border points between South Sudan and Uganda are impassable due to the seasonal flooding. In Arua, Uganda, heavy rains and flash floods have washed away roads and damaged infrastructure, impacting virtually all service provision. In Sudan, flooding in White Nile has destroyed the shelters of host community households and rendered most roads to the refugee camps impassable, reducing partner accessibility in many locations. In Ethiopia, the rains have delayed the construction of key infrastructure at the camps and reception centres.
■ UNHCR operations involved in the South Sudan situation continue to face critical funding shortfalls. As of 7 August 2017, the overall situation is only 28% funded. UNHCR is currently facing a funding shortfall of 96% in Central African Republic (US$9.6M), 79% in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (US$25.3M), 90% in Ethiopia (US$144.2M), 88% in Kenya (US$35.7M), 72% in South Sudan (US$124.4M), 73% in Sudan (US$75.5M) and 66% in Uganda (US$240.2M). In the sub-region, under the Regional Refugee Response Plan (RRP), UN agencies and partners are requesting US$1.4 billion, of which only 22% has been received by 27 July 2017.
■ There was a noticeable increased influx of South Sudanese refugees crossing into Ethiopia through the Pagak Entry Point following clashes in Maiwut County, Upper Nile, South Sudan, which began on 27 July. However the majority of the arrivals reported that they did not intend to seek asylum in Ethiopia, opting to monitor the current situation, with the intention of returning to South Sudan when the security situation improves.
■ In Uganda, Imvepi Settlement in Arua was closed to new arrivals on the 31 July. The total population of settlement stands at 123,019. Rhino Camp Extension commenced receiving refugees on 1 August, with approximately 300 refugees expected to be received on the first day.