KEY FACTS
- Beginning in late January 2016, there was a surge of South Sudanese fleeing into Sudan, with about 500 households arriving per day until early April. New arrivals have since continued at a slower rate, and as of 11 June about 47,100 refugees had arrived in East Darfur, of whom 29,515 are in Khor Omer camp, Ed Daein locality. This includes 28,595 people verified by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and 920 new arrivals reported by the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS).
- New arrivals are mostly coming from South Sudan’s Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap states due to heightened food insecurity and ongoing conflict. While the rate of new arrivals has slowed to about 60 people per day since 8 May, the situation remains fragile and food security assessments suggest that South Sudan will face a more severe lean season (May-September) in 2016 than in previous years. The World Food Programme (WFP) has recently reported the distribution of 2-month food rations to 200,000 individuals and cash assistance for an additional 55,000 individuals in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, where previous assistance was scarce.
- The humanitarian situation in East Darfur’s Khor Omer camp has improved since the initial influx, but remains critical. Basic humanitarian assistance across all major life-saving sectors has been provided, including food, emergency household supplies, water, sanitation and nutritional support.
- Distribution of shelters will begin once families are relocated to a new site, where erection of shelters will be permitted. The plot of land previously agreed upon for the new site can no longer be used as local land owners require the area for agricultural activities. The government’s Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in collaboration with state authorities is working to secure another option, after which arrangements will be put in place for an organised relocation to the new site.
- An additional 17,390 refugees are in seven other localities in East Darfur, according to SRCS. The first interagency mission to access some of these areas was conducted on 10 and 11 May, visiting Abu Jabra, Bahr El Arab and El Ferdous localities. However, no follow-up missions have yet been permitted. Refugees in these areas have received no humanitarian assistance to date and depend heavily on support from the host communities.
KEY MESSAGES
- This recent influx, with large numbers of South Sudanese refugees arriving in new areas, was not anticipated. This unforeseen emergency is unfolding in an underserviced area where partners and resources are limited.
- This influx is critically stretching the available resources and operational capacity of partners carrying out the ongoing response in White Nile State, where the flow of new arrivals from South Sudan continues. Additional funds are needed in order to meet the needs of this refugee population.
- The South Sudan emergency, now well into its third year, will continue unless peace can be maintained in South Sudan. Ongoing violence remains at the heart of the displacements into Sudan and neighbouring countries, while a prolonged dry spell in Northern Bahr El Ghazal and Warrap states has aggravated food insecurity. Fighting continues to disrupt critical farming practices, trade and the delivery of aid, driving up food prices and forcing people to flee their homes in search of food and safety.
- Clarity is still needed regarding the status of South Sudanese in Sudan, particularly to ensure the validity of the ID cards provided to South Sudanese by the Sudanese Directorate of Passports and Immigration (IPP).
- Funding shortages continue to threaten the provision of life-saving services to new arrivals, as well as previous South Sudanese refugee arrivals who remain in need of critical assistance and protection. Sudan’s requirements for the 2016 South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan—launched by humanitarian partners on 7 December 2015—is only 13 per cent funded. The actual gap in funding is much greater however, as these figures do not reflect the significant increase in resources necessitated by the new influx.
Current Situation
The influx of South Sudanese refugees that began in late January 2016 continues, driven by deteriorating food insecurity and ongoing violence in South Sudan. Though rates of arrival have slowed in comparison to the January to April period, underlying reasons for displacement remain unchanged. A recent food security analysis by WFP expects the number of South Sudan’s food insecure people to reach 5.3 million between May and September, which would result in the nation’s most severe lean season since independence in 2011. As such, provision of assistance in affected areas of South Sudan will be integral to reducing the number of people who are driven from their homes in search of life-saving assistance in Sudan. WFP has recently reported distribution of 2-month food rations to 200,000 individuals in Northern Bahr El Ghazal, and cash assistance for an additional 55,000 individuals.
As of 11 June 2016, about 47,100 refugees have arrived in East Darfur, of whom 29,515 (28,595 verified by IOM; 920 new arrivals reported by SRCS) are in Khor Omer camp, Ed Daein locality. IOM has conducted three rounds of verification in Khor Omer. Six temporary tracking hubs have been established outside Ed Daein at entry points of Abu Jabra, Assalaya, Abu Matariq and El Ferdous localities. Relief items, including food, nutrition and emergency household supplies have been provided to almost all new arrivals in Khor Omer and personal hygiene kits distributed to nearly all pregnant and lactating women (PLW). The current availability of water has increased to 5 litres per person per day from 3 litres the previous month, and there is no visible overcrowding in water points during the day.
Sanitation remains of concern due to limited space to construct additional latrines in the current location. A 9-day measles vaccination campaign has reached 3,145 individuals. The health sector is working to reach the remaining 73% of the population. The supply of medicines is reportedly adequate, however there is a gap in oral antibiotics. Some refugees are reportedly leaving the camp during the day in search of labour in Ed Daein town and the neighboring villages, as the cultivation period is ongoing.
Most of the arrivals are still staying in the open, under trees or in makeshift shelters, with only plastic sheeting distributed by the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) for protection. Emergency shelter materials are being procured and transported, however, distribution will only be allowed once refugees have been relocated from Khor Omer to a new site. Negotiations are ongoing with state authorities and land owners to secure a suitable plot of land. It is no longer possible to use the previously selected land as the owners need the area for agricultural purposes. Funds are being sought through the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF) for the development of the new site, which will enable partners to scale up response efforts to fill critical gaps, namely unmet water, sanitation and shelter needs.
An additional 17,390 refugees are in seven other localities in East Darfur, according to SRCS. The first inter-agency mission to access some of these areas was conducted on 10 and 11 May, visiting Abu Jabra, Bahr El Arab and El Ferdous localities. Refugees in these areas have received no humanitarian assistance to date and depend heavily on support from the host communities, who themselves are struggling following the failure of the last agricultural season. The assessment report indicates that 7,068 refugees residing in these areas – a majority in Abu Jabra – require emergency assistance across all major sectors, notably food assistance; medical supplies and support to health services; expansion of nutrition programmes; increased access to water and sanitation; and protection support for vulnerable groups.