SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES RELOCATION PUT ON HOLD IN EAST DARFUR: A shortage of bamboo sheets used to set-up new shelters has put on hold the relocation of South Sudanese refugees to the new extension at Kario camp in East Darfur. Situated 1.2 km away from Kario, the new extension is a recent allocated land that will accommodate 1,400 refugee households (around 4,200 individuals), including new arrivals and refugees heavily affected by floods, in order to reducing the overcrowding of Kario camp.

SUDAN REGISTERS 883 NEW ARRIVALS IN JULY – July saw the lowest number of South Sudanese refugees arriving in Sudan so far in 2019, with 883 refugees coming into the country, bringing the total number of new arrivals to 14,758.

SUDAN RESUMED RIVER TRANSPORTATION WITH SOUTH SUDAN: World Food Programme (WFP) launched on 22 October barge transportation carrying food supplies from Kosti in White Nile State, Sudan to Renk and Malakal in South Sudan to increase food assistance to displaced South Sudanese people. The first three barges carried 4,500 tons of food, enough to feed 370,000 people for one month. The resumption of commercial transportation between Sudan and South Sudan may potentially facilitate cross border movements of people, including refugees.

SUDAN’S TRANSITIONAL MILITARY COUNCIL (TMC) AND THE FORCES OF FREEDOM AND CHANGE (FFC) COALITION REACH A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT - On 5 July, Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition reached a power-sharing agreement for a transitional period of just over three years. On 9 July, the Government restored internet connectivity across Sudan, easing communication challenges response partners faced since 3 June. However, shortages of cash, fuel and diesel persist. A total of 883 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Sudan in July, bringing the number of new arrivals so far in 2019 to 14,758.

SUSPECTED MEASLES CASES CONTINUE TO BE REPORTED – As of 16 February, over 100 cases among both refugee and host communities have been reported in White Nile State camp clinics. Measles outbreaks have been reported across most States in Sudan, affecting Sudanese nationals as well as refugees. The State Ministry of Health and WHO are leading on surveillance, laboratory support and case management. A measles vaccination campaign will launch in April.

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.

Seven refugees killed in clashes in Keilak, West Kordofan, in a retaliatory attack following recent clashed between the Missarriya tribe and armed groups from South Sudan in the Abyei area.

Since 9 April over 7,000 people have fled to Joda crossing in White Nile State. The number includes 4,000 Sudanese and 2,800 South Sudanese from Joda Alfukhar

Steady rate of new arrivals continues, especially to South Darfur and West Kordofan states.

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.