• Text size Normal size text | Increase text size by 10% | Increase text size by 20% | Increase text size by 30%

UNHCR welcomes signing of South Sudan peace deal as refugee and IDP numbers surpass 2.6 million mark

Briefing Notes, 28 August 2015

This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Melissa Fleming – to whom quoted text may be attributed – at the press briefing, on 28 August 2015, at the Palais des Nations in Geneva.

UNHCR welcomes the signing of the South Sudan peace agreement this week which comes as refugee and IDP figures have passed the 2.6 million mark, a marked increase on the number reported at the time of the fourth anniversary of the country's independence. Daily arrival rates in Ethiopia remain high, with almost 200 new arrivals registered per day, while in other receiving countries, most notably Sudan, the rainy season has reduced the number of new arrivals in August compared to June and July but Sudan experienced the highest growth in refugee arrivals this quarter up by 47 per cent.

Some 4,000 South Sudanese have reportedly fled from their homes in Eastern Equatoria's Nyongwa, Kerepi and Pageri following recent clashes between government and opposition forces in Pageri, along the Juba-Nimule road. The vast majority have sought safety in the bush while some have reportedly crossed to neighbouring Uganda. In Kenya, convoys to the border and border monitoring missions continue but arrivals rates remain low with 71 people arriving between 14 and 21 August.

Over three quarters of a million people have now fled South Sudan to neighbouring countries. Some 620,762 South Sudanese refugees have been received in Ethiopia, Sudan, Uganda and Kenya since December 2013. A further 133,762 'pre-December 2013' refugees are also being hosted in those four countries, making a total of 754,544 South Sudanese refugees in the region. Some 68% of these new arrivals are children (under 18 years of age).

ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia is home to the greatest number of South Sudanese refugees. A total of 221,376 new arrivals have been registered since December 2013 and with an existing caseload of 63,543, it is hosting 284,919 refugees, mainly in Gambella region. This week, relocation of 17,000 refugees from border crossing points and transit centres commenced to a new camp, Pugnido 2.

SUDAN

Sudan currently hosts 191,624 refugees from South Sudan who have arrived since December 2013, surpassing the planning figure of 186,000.

UGANDA

In Uganda, a total of 161,196 refugees have been registered since December 2013 along with some 25,000 'old caseload' refugees, making a total of 186,196.

KENYA

Kenya is home to 91,805 South Sudanese refugees, almost equally split between new arrivals – 46,566 – and pre December 2013 arrivals – 45,239.

SOUTH SUDAN

In South Sudan, there are 1.6 million internally displaced people and 265,296 Sudanese refugees.

INCREASE SINCE ANNIVERSARY

UNHCR reported less than two months ago (7 July), in advance of the fourth anniversary of South Sudan's independence, that 2.25 million people were displaced, including 730,000 refugees and 1.5 million internally displaced. A further 250,000 Sudanese refugees were registered at that time.

FUNDING

UNHCR's regional response to the South Sudan situation remains underfunded at just 28& in total Each of the five country operations are similarly underfunded: Ethiopia and Kenya (both 28%), South Sudan 27%, Sudan 26% and Uganda just 24% funded.

    For more information on this topic, please contact:
  • In Juba, Rocco Nuri on mobile +211 927 725 535
  • In Khartoum, Mohamed Elfatih Elnaiem on mobile +249 912 308 842
  • In Addis Ababa, Kisut Gebre Egziabher on mobile +25 19 11 20 89 01
  • In Kampala, Charles Yaxley on mobile +256 (0) 776 720 045
  • In Nairobi (regional), Terry Ongaro on mobile +254 735 337 608
  • In Geneva, Andreas Needham on mobile +41 79 217 3140
• DONATE NOW •

 

• GET INVOLVED • • STAY INFORMED •

Related Stories

more documents

UNHCR country pages

South Sudan Crisis: Urgent Appeal

Donate now and help to provide emergency aid to tens of thousands of people fleeing South Sudan to escape violence.

Donate to this crisis

Down Through the Generations, Conflict Forces Flight in South Sudan

In what is now South Sudan, families have been fleeing fighting for generations since conflict first erupted there in 1955. The Sudan War ended in 1972, then flared up again in 1983 and dragged on for 22 years to the peace deal in 2005 that led to the south's independence from Sudan in 2011.

But the respite was shortlived. One year ago, fresh conflict broke out between government and opposition supporters in the world's newest country, forcing 1.9 million people in the nation of 11 million from their homes. Most - 1.4 million - ended up somewhere else within South Sudan. Now older people live in stick-and-tarpaulin huts with their children, and their children's children, all three generations - sometimes four - far from home due to yet more war.

The largest settlement for such families is near the town of Mingkaman in South Sudan's Lakes state, close to the central city of Bor. More than 100,000 internally displaced people live in the settlement, located a few hours boat ride up the Nile from the capital, Juba. Photographer Andrew McConnell recently visited Mingkaman to follow the daily life of six families and find out how the wars have affected them.

Down Through the Generations, Conflict Forces Flight in South Sudan

Cold, Uncomfortable and Hungry in Calais

For years, migrants and asylum-seekers have flocked to the northern French port of Calais in hopes of crossing the short stretch of sea to find work and a better life in England. This hope drives many to endure squalid, miserable conditions in makeshift camps, lack of food and freezing temperatures. Some stay for months waiting for an opportunity to stow away on a vehicle making the ferry crossing.

Many of the town's temporary inhabitants are fleeing persecution or conflict in countries such as Afghanistan, Eritrea, Iraq, Sudan and Syria. And although these people are entitled to seek asylum in France, the country's lack of accommodation, administrative hurdles and language barrier, compel many to travel on to England where many already have family waiting.

With the arrival of winter, the crisis in Calais intensifies. To help address the problem, French authorities have opened a day centre as well as housing facilities for women and children. UNHCR is concerned with respect to the situation of male migrants who will remain without shelter solutions. Photographer Julien Pebrel recently went to Calais to document their lives in dire sites such as the Vandamme squat and next to the Tioxide factory.

Cold, Uncomfortable and Hungry in Calais

Displacement in South Sudan: A Camp Within a Camp

In the three weeks since South Sudan erupted in violence, an estimated 200,000 South Sudanese have found themselves displaced within their own country. Some 57,000 have sought sanctuary at bases of UN peace-keepers across the country. These photos by UNHCR's Senior Regional Public Information Officer Kitty McKinsey give a glimpse of the daily life of the 14,000 displaced people inside the UN compound known locally as Tong Ping, near the airport in Juba, South Sudan's capital. Relief agencies, including UNHCR, are rallying to bring shelter, blankets and other aid items, but in the first days, displaced people had to fend for themselves. The compounds have taken on all the trappings of small towns, with markets, kiosks, garbage collection and public bathing facilities. Amazingly, children still manage to smile and organize their own games with the simplest of materials.

Displacement in South Sudan: A Camp Within a Camp

South Sudan: A Long Walk in Search of Safety Play video

South Sudan: A Long Walk in Search of Safety

Years of fighting between Sudan and rebel forces have sent more than 240,000 people fleeing to neighbouring South Sudan, a country embroiled in its own conflict. After weeks on foot, Amal Bakith and her five children are settling in at Ajoung Thok refugee camp where they receive food, shelter, access to education and land.
South Sudan: Four Years On from IndependencePlay video

South Sudan: Four Years On from Independence

In 2011 the people of South Sudan celebrated their independence. Four years later, the world's newest nation is one of the world's worst humanitarian situations. In December 2013, conflict erupted displacing 2 million people including more than 600,000 refugees. South Sudanese has fled to Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, and Sudan. The crisis has especially impacted the next generation of South Sudanese, 70% of those displaced are children.
South Sudan Crisis: One Year OnPlay video

South Sudan Crisis: One Year On