Response to the South Sudan Crisis

REPORTER – Julius Bitamazire – IAS – UGANDA

Since Wednesday the 7th July 2016, heavy fighting broke out between the South Sudan ruling government and forces loyal to the 1 st Vice President Mr. Riak Marchar in the South Sudan capital Juba spreading to other parts of the country. Although not clearly quantifiable, huge destructions of property, loss of lives and other forms of suffering is being reported on media such Aljazeera, CNN, National Television (NTV) and much is awash in the local newspapers here in Uganda.

I travelled to the NW part of Uganda (Arua, Koboko, Adjumani and Yumbe Districts), where most of the refugees arrive in Uganda, to see for myself the refugee situation having been in a meeting at the UNHCR offices in Kampala.

When I arrived to one Settlement called Rhino Camp, I am left without words at the suffering of the refugees from South Sudan. The situation is quite appalling that one can’t fail to shed a tear due to the magnitude of the problem, with few humanitarian actors.

Over 80% of the new arrivals consists of women and children. There are also quite a number of Child Headed families (Unaccompanied minors). The others are the aged who have managed to come over for now.

Over 71,499 refugees have crossed the border into Uganda since the 1 st of July, and the number is increasing. On a daily basis the new arrivals are in thousands. Many of those I did talk to thanked God that they managed to cross into Uganda because many didn’t make it.

The challenge right now is that the period ahead of us is the heaviest rainy season in Uganda, so a daunting task is yet to come both for the refugees and the agencies who are responding.

IAS is on ground responding to the crisis together with other sister agencies, but the challenge is huge since there isn’t sufficient funds to take care of this immense catastrophe that has befallen these people.

The below are some of the identified critical gaps as of now:

WASH

– Water is a problem. The few bore holes cannot accommodate such big population. Drilling of new bore holes is much needed.

– Immediate need for temporary communal latrines & bath shelter including hygiene facilities (hand washing facilities and soap)

– Sensitization of community on acceptable hygiene practices

– Provision of water drinking containers to at least 5000 Households.

Health, Nutrition and Psychosocial

– Psychosocial support required to mitigate trauma effects

– Provide temporary shelter for Health Outreach

Child Protection

– Construction of huts for unaccompanied minors

– Provision of play materials for children

– Family reunions

Shelter

Temporary overnight communal shelters to be used prior to construction of household dwelling shelters.