Key messages
• Over 1.3 Million South Sudanese are displaced in Uganda, the majority due to the ongoing conflict in South Sudan. The Ugandan government has kept its borders open despite severe funding shortfall. In 2017 USD 674 million was requested by the UNHCR but only 20 per cent was received. This does not only leave thousands of lives at a risk, but also compromises the quality of aid efforts to affected communities.
• On 1st Feb 2018, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees Fillipo Grandi launched a new funding appeal for US$1.5 billion to support refugees fleeing the worsening humanitarian situation in South Sudan.
Another appeal for US$1.7 billion was also sought for people in need during 2018.
• The number of South Sudanese refugees arriving in Uganda /West Nile has since declined to an average of 100 persons per day. Children constitute 61 per cent of the refugees and women and children are 86 per cent. The ongoing active conflict in South Sudan causes the continued influx; recently arriving refugees also mentioned they came so that their children could access good education and health care services in Uganda.
During the reporting period, West Nile also received Congolese refugees fleeing violent conflicts in their country. As a result, more than 115 Congolese refugees were settled in Rhino Camp settlement in Arua District.
• There was a ongoing review of Uganda’s refugee registration system. UNHCR began re-registration of refugees in all settlements in Uganda which is expected to last 3 months. Agencies are supporting the process through mobilization and sensitization