×

Our award-winning reporting has moved

Context provides news and analysis on three of the world’s most critical issues:

climate change, the impact of technology on society, and inclusive economies.

ACT Alliance Appeal: Operation Support for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda

by Elisabeth Gouel | https://twitter.com/actalliance | ACT Alliance - Switzerland
Tuesday, 4 February 2014 15:34 GMT

* Any views expressed in this article are those of the author and not of Thomson Reuters Foundation.

Appeal

Uganda

Operation support for South Sudanese refugees in Uganda – UGA141

Appeal Target: US${esc.dollar}{esc.dollar} 967,634
Less pledges/contributions: US${esc.dollar}{esc.dollar} 425,448
Balance Requested: US${esc.dollar}{esc.dollar} 542,186

Geneva, 3 February 2014

A total of 61,573 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Uganda since 16 December 2013, following tensions within the South Sudan ruling party, the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM).  This has led to thousands of IDPs fleeing to neighbouring counties since December and high numbers of refugees arriving in Uganda, Kenya and Ethiopia.

In July 2013, President Salva Kiir reorganized his entire cabinet including the dismissal of his Vice President, Riek Machar. On the evening of 15 December 2013, violence erupted in Juba amongst the military and this has led to the current hostilities between the opposition and SPLM.   The situation outside Juba remains fragile with various strategic towns changing hands as the conflict continued to take ethnic dimensions. After weeks of fighting, the government forces have re-taken most of the rural towns that had previously been changing hands between the rebels and government forces.  

In Uganda, an intensive relocation operation has been underway in the last week to decongest the overcrowded refugee transit /reception centres. Prior to this crisis, Uganda had been receiving South Sudanese refugees over the past two years. They originated mainly from Jonglei state of South Sudan fleeing conflict. However, with the recent wide-spread conflict, beginning 16 December, the influx from South Sudan increased dramatically. The refugees are entering through 3 main entry points to Adjumani, Koboko/ Arua and Kiryandongo Districts. Early January saw an arrival rate of over 2,500 per day into Uganda. They are being received at transit centers and reception centers.  

The most critical situation is in Adjumani District where close to 40,000 refugees are still in the transit center which has a capacity for 5,000 persons. ACT member, LWF is present in Adjumani to offer humanitarian assistance to the refugees in the transit centre and in the settlements. In this light, the Uganda ACT forum members through the Lutheran World Federation are issuing this full appeal, which replaces the Preliminary Appeal issued on 30 December 2013.

For the full appeal document, please click here.

 

-->