Uganda: Number of South Sudanese refugees passes 1 million

Event

The United Nations (UN) reported on Thursday, August 17, that the number of refugees from South Sudan in Uganda has passed 1 million.  It is reported that over the past year, the average number of people crossing the border into Uganda on a daily basis has reached nearly 1800 people.

Ugandan authorities have been providing benefits to refugees from South Sudan, including meals, vaccinations, and plots of land for farming. Refugees are reportedly also allowed to freely travel and work in Uganda. However, the UN reports that Uganda is struggling to continue to provide basic services, stating that the UN Refugee Agency has only received 21 percent of the funds needed to maintain current levels of service in 2017. The UN has called for the international community increase their commitments by providing additional resources.

Context

The political situation and public health environment in South Sudan have deteriorated since 2013 due to the ongoing civil war and unfavorable climatic conditions. The collapse of a peace deal in 2016 between troops loyal to President Slva Kiir and those loyal to former vice president Riek Machar has led to a surge in refugees seeking entry to Uganda. According to the Norwegian Refugee Council, UN refugee data shows that in 2016 Uganda received more refugees than any other country in the world.

Advice

Due to security concerns, travelers in Uganda are advised to seek professional security advice and support prior to travel along the border with South Sudan, where many Western governments advise against non-essential travel. Similarly, many Western governments advise against travel near the borders with the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kenya for security reasons.​