As of 17 July, the 2018 South Sudan Regional Refugee Response Plan is only 15% funded. Urgent funding is needed to meet the needs of South Sudanese refugees in CAR, DRC, Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda.

CASH AND FUEL SHORTAGES DRIVING RESPONSE DELAYS – Persistent cash shortages is delaying assistance projects in all refugee locations, especially for procurement activities and the implementation of cash-based interventions. The situation is compounded by logistical delays due to ongoing fuel shortages. State authorities are working closely with partners to mitigate the situation and support activities where possible.situation and support activities where possible.

TOTAL SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEE POPULATION INCREASED TO 851,313 INDIVIDUALS, FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF UPDATED POPULATION STATISTICS – This revised figure incorporates updated statistics from finalized registration processes conducted by the Government of Sudan’s Immigration and Passport Police (IPP) in Gedaref, Al Gezira, Nile and Northern States. It also includes the increase of the out-of-the-camp population in White Nile State by 79,000 based on as inter-agency assessment targeting out-of-camp locations. The revised total population figure is reflected in the 2019-2020 Refugee Response Plan (RRP) and in the 2019 Humanitarian Needs Overview (HNO) and Humanitarian Response Plan (HRP). The revised figure will not affect RRP or HRP budgets, as refugee programming is based on assessed needs.

SUSPECTED MEASLES CASES REPORTED IN CAMPS IN WHITE NILE STATE – Over 60 cases among both refugee and host communities have been reported in White Nile State clinics, with 55 of these cases reported in January in Al Redis II, Al Kashafa and Jouri camps. Measles vaccine coverage in the affected refugee camps is less than 50 per cent. A vaccination campaign in White Nile refugee camps is planned for mid-February.

OVER 7,000 SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KHARTOUM ARE NEWLY DISPLACED FOLLOWING ATTACKS IN KHARTOUM – Host community attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum on 6-7 June led to the displacement of over 7,000 refugees who fled to safety in Bantiu ‘Open Area’ settlement in Khartoum and Um Sangour camp in White Nile State. Refugees in other ‘Open Areas’ in Khartoum also reported that host communities have demanded that refugees leave their settlements and are blaming them for increased criminal activity in Khartoum. UNCHR, COR, UNICEF and other partners have supported the newly displaced refugees in Khartoum’s Bantiu ‘Open Area’ with Non-Food Items (NFI), registration and protection support. In White Nile camps, displaced families are being registered and receiving emergency food from WFP and NFI assistance from UNHCR and partners.

UNHCR Senior Regional WASH Officer visited White Nile refugee camps Al Waral, Jouri, Al Kashafa and Al Redis I and II and flagged 3 key priorities for state WASH response: Urgent need to rehabilitate and de-sludge communal latrines; and installation of household latrines to address widespread open defecation driven by people’s unwillingness to use most latrines. While improved coverage of household latrines is a key priority of the WASH response, a lack of space in most camps without site extensions requires continued reliance on communal latrines.

HEAVY RAINS DAMAGE SHELTERS AND REFUGEE SCHOOL IN SOUTH KORDOFAN STATE – Heavy rains in May damaged shelters and homes of refugee and host communities in Kadugli, affecting over 120 households. UNHCR, COR and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) are planning for shelter replenishment. In Sirajiya, heavy rains damaged classrooms at a refugee school, and the refugee community has requested UNHCR’s support to build permanent classrooms that withstand the weather conditions.

In Uganda, a joint statement on the progress of the joint verification exercise was issued on 25 June 2018, by the Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR drawing preliminary conclusions and analysis from the results so far in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

In Sudan, the Joda entry point closed last April due to a border dispute has been reopened at the end of June 2018, with over 200 refugees arriving through the entry point on 28 June and consecutively transported to Um Sangour camp.

UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator (RRC) and Special Advisor for the South Sudan situation carried out a brief to Ambassadors and Head of delegations in Nairobi on the needs of South Sudanese refugees on July 6, 2018 at the invitation of the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Ms. Alison Chartres.