Attachments
Description of the Event
Date when the trigger was met
20-06-2024
What happened, where and when?
Since April 2023, Sudan has been grappling with a severe humanitarian crisis, now recognized as the world's largest displacement crisis. The armed conflict in Sudan has forced millions to flee, creating the fastest unfolding humanitarian emergency globally. As of September 26, 2024, 25 million people in Sudan require humanitarian assistance, with 10.8 million internally displaced and 2.1 million seeking refuge in neighboring countries, including Uganda.
Uganda has become a major destination for Sudanese refugees, particularly at the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in northern Uganda. According to the latest UNHCR report, there are now 119,103 Sudanese refugees registered in Uganda, with 96% of them residing in Kiryandongo. The settlement, which had been largely inactive, was re-designated as a reception center for Sudanese asylum seekers in April 2024 following the escalation of the conflict in Sudan.
The influx of refugees has increased rapidly, with the number of Sudanese arrivals rising from 8,600 two months ago to 57,017 by 10th October—already surpassing the expected 55,000 by the end of 2024. This surge has overwhelmed the settlement’s capacity, resulting in deteriorating living conditions and creating urgent unmet needs for basic services such as shelter, healthcare, and sanitation. The continuous daily arrivals highlight the ongoing severity of the Sudan conflict and the growing pressure on Uganda's humanitarian infrastructure.
Scope and Scale
As of the end of August 2024, the Kiryandongo refugee settlement in Uganda hosts a registered refugee population of 119,103, with 96% living within the government-designated settlement and 4% maintaining records in Kampala. The settlement continues to receive an average of 750 new arrivals per week, either directly from Sudan or via the West Nile reception center through UNHCR convoys. This steady influx is placing immense pressure on the already overstretched infrastructure.
The settlement’s infrastructure, originally established in 2014, has not been updated to meet the growing needs of the expanding population, resulting in severe shortages in clean water, sanitation, and healthcare services. Latrine coverage stands at only 45%, while water availability is critically low at 10.2 liters per person per day, far below the recommended minimum. The increased population has led to overcrowding at the three health centers, exacerbating gaps in healthcare provision, and raising concerns about the risk of epidemics.
A needs assessment conducted by the Uganda Red Cross Society (URCS) in June 2024 highlighted critical shortages in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH), health, shelter, and protection services. With the influx of refugees continuing, the assessment stressed the urgent need for a scaling up of resources and collaborative efforts with government and humanitarian partners, which are currently insufficient to meet the growing demand.
The settlement is also at high risk of disease outbreaks due to poor living conditions. There is an active cholera outbreak in Sudan’s Kassala State, with 352 cases and seven deaths reported, which could spread to Kiryandongo as refugees flee conflict zones. Additionally, a suspected Mpox case has been reported in a Sudanese refugee, heightening concerns about the health situation. With the lack of adequate shelter and poor sanitation, the potential for widespread disease transmission remains a significant threat.
Moreover, critical gaps in shelter infrastructure for Persons with Special Needs (PSNs) leave many vulnerable to adverse weather, respiratory infections, and malaria. Institutions such as the reception center, schools, and health facilities face inadequate toilet facilities, intermittent water supply, and challenges with solid waste management. The reception center, already overwhelmed by the volume of arrivals, is also experiencing overstays due to delays in screening, registration, and plot allocation, posing protection risks and further compounding the humanitarian crisis.
In conclusion, the growing population at Kiryandongo has overwhelmed the settlement’s capacity, necessitating an urgent scale-up of humanitarian aid, including the expansion of WASH, health, and shelter services. Without immediate intervention, the situation risks further deterioration, with heightened risks of family separation, protection issues, and disease outbreaks among this vulnerable population