As the world marks World Refugee Day (June 20), refugees with disabilities continue to face urgent and underreported challenges.
David Liep, a South Sudanese father of seven, fled the conflict in Sudan earlier this year. The country had been his adopted home since childhood.
David, who has a visual impairment, and his family survived for days on “tea with sugar” before embarking on a 28-day journey back to South Sudan.
He and his wife, Kinith Makuem, hid from armed groups while traveling with their three youngest children. They watched as other men and boys were dragged from cars.
Now living in the overcrowded Mangaten camp in Juba, David struggles with the cost of living, extreme heat and inaccessible services.
“I wish I could see,” he says. “My wife carries the burden. I hope that with the improvements in my eyesight, I will be able to support her.”
His story echoes findings from last week’s UNHCR Global Trends Report, which shows refugee returns were the highest for more than two decades in 2024.
Since the outbreak of war in Sudan two years ago, more than 775,000 refugee returnees have arrived in South Sudan. UNHCR estimates 1 in 6 arrivals has a disability — yet essential services like washrooms, medical care and even basic information often remain out of reach.
Light for the World, an NGO focused on disability rights, referred David to an eye clinic where he received surgery. His wife has received training to set up a soap-making business and joined a local savings group.
Light for the World works with humanitarian partners to ensure every stage of a refugee’s journey — from registration and information, to accessing washrooms — is fully inclusive.
Sophia Mohammed, Country Director at Light for the World South Sudan, says: “South Sudan already hosts half a million refugees and asylum-seekers, the majority from Sudan. There are also nearly 2 million internally displaced people due to conflict, insecurity and the impact of the climate crisis.
“There is a lack of water, food and medical care in refugee camps in South Sudan and the situation is particularly difficult for people with disabilities. In many cases, people with disabilities are left behind when displacements occur. Those who make it are in dire need of help: they need food, water and a safe place to stay.”
For more information about Light for the World, visit: www.light-for-the-world.org