South Sudan Emergency

Situation and challenges in South Sudan

Civil war broke out in South Sudan in 2013, only two years after the country gained independence.  Though a tense ceasefire was negotiated, this fell apart in July 2016, and hundreds of civilians were caught in the conflict and killed. Surviving families immediately began to flee for their lives. Many families have moved from village to village as the fighting spread. Many fled to neighboring countries, in particular Uganda which hosted nearly one million South Sudanese refugees.

When people arrive the border, UNHCR’s staff will assess them and provide treatment for any urgent conditions. Then people are brought to one of the reception centre at the Bidibidi Settlement.

Regrettably, the Bidibidi Settlement is full to overflowing. Field workers on the ground simply cannot keep up with the massive influx of people.

UNHCR response to the crisis: Providing every family a roof over their head

UNHCR has been on the ground in what is now South Sudan since 1968, throughout refugee crises old and new. We are working closely with the government and development partners to help local communities to cope with the continued influx of South Sudan refugees, while continuing to help other refugees who have been in Uganda for many years.

With funds and expertise, we can manage this crisis. And a first step to managing it is to provide shelter; this is because:

-Shelter is fundamental to life. It is protection, safety, privacy, comfort and health.

-Shelter is the basis of recovery. Once people have a home, they can rebuild themselves.

-Shelter is crucial for creating peaceful and thriving refugee-host communities.

We urgently need your help to construct more shelters, to ensure families have a safe place to stay.

Shelter solution #1:  Communal Shelters

There are 52 communal shelters in Bidibidi and its surrounding areas. It is a vital first place for the refugee families from South Sudan to stay. The families will be registered, given a meal and medial check, and crucially a safe place to sleep for the first time after months of exhausted journey. They will live there until they receive their plot of land for emergency shelters.

Shelter solution #2:  Emergency Shelter Kit

With the emergency shelter kit and their own plot of land, families are able to build their own home. The kit consists of building supplies such as saw, nails, shovels and plastic sheetings, as well as survival essentials including mosquito net, kitchen utensils, jerry can and mobile phone charger.

Shelter solution #3:  Semi-Permanent Shelter Building Kit

UNHCR in Uganda helps people move from emergency shelter into semi-permanent structures, built from locally sourced materials. These “tukuls” are made from mud, grass, millet stalks and wooden poles. The thatched conical roof provides ventilation and keeps temperatures stable all year round. It takes only one day to build a tukul shelter which has a lifespan of 2 to 4 years.

Working towards a sustainable solution

New refugee settlement areas for some 600,000 additional refugees have to be opened, including establishment and rehabilitation of reception centres, communal areas and access roads.

Upon arrival at the new settlements, refugees are able to spend the night in communal shelters at reception centres.  After registration and the granting of asylum, refugees will be provided with plots of land in order to build their own shelters and conduct agricultural self-reliance activities. All new refugee arrivals receive emergency temporary shelter kits (tools and a plastic tarpaulin to be stretched over four poles with rope), which can be converted into semi-permanent grass-thatched shelter with mud brick walls.

Conflict destroyed their lives, but you can help them start a new life

Ever-increasing numbers of South Sudanese families are arriving the border of Uganda every day.

They are physically exhausted, traumatized survivors of unthinkable violence and exploitation, and in dire nutritional condition. After spending days, even weeks on the road without any shelter, they deserve to have a roof over their head. We urgently need your help to provide that, as our current shelters are full.

Here are some examples of how you could support us with much needed shelters.

Your support counts!

We will acknowledge your exceptional support for a donation of HKD 35,490 or above:

• Recognition in the UNHCR newsletter “With you”
• A souvenir specially made for you
• Receive regular progress reports on South Sudan crisis
• Special invitation to donor event.

You restore hope for those suffering from sickness, exhaustion and danger.

THANK YOU!