70% OF REFUGEE CHILDREN IN AL LAIT LOCALITY IN SOUTH DARFUR OUT OF SCHOOL: Lack of enrolment of South Sudanese refugee children in Haskanita and Andrab schools in Al Lait locality, North Darfur State, remains a concern as close to 70% of the refugee children living in the area are out of school. Out of the more than 10,000 children in school age, only around 3,000 are currently enrolled. Some of the reasons behind the low enrolment rate is the engagement of children in farm work, language barriers, and lack of peaceful coexistence.

UNHCR, COR and WVI PREPARE NEW SITE FOR CAR REFUGEES: UNHCR, together with COR and World Vision International are preparing a new site in Al Mashaga, South Darfur, for refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), stranded near the CAR border in Um Dafoug, South Darfur. The new site offers the refugees basic services unavailable in the border area and is easier to access for humanitarian and development actors during the rainy season. The relocation of the refugees is expected to continue throughout April.

UNHCR and COR SECURE THE RELEASE OF DETAINED REFUGEES AMID COVID 19 FEARS: To reduce the risk of infection in overcrowded detention sites, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) achieved the release from immigration detention in the Sudanese capital Khartoum of Eritrean asylum-seekers for proper registration. They had been in detention for administrative reasons.

UNHCR in SUDAN COVID 19 PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE: To protect refugees and IDPs as well as their hosts in Sudan from COVID-19, UNHCR and partners have rolled out a massive prevention, preparedness and response programme. The Agency joined WHO and UNICEF in spreading awareness by translating posters in refugee languages, by briefing volunteers and IDP leaders, through leaflets and 15,000 text messages sent to urban refugees in Khartoum. In addition, in the first weeks after the first known case of corona virus in Sudan, UNHCR and partners distributed soap to over 260,000 people and established a surveillance system in refugee camps for immediate isolation of potential cases, reporting to the health authorities and subsequent testing.

UNHCR in SUDAN ENGAGES IN COVID-19 PREVENTION AND RESPONSE: To protect refugees and IDPs as well as their hosts in Sudan from COVID-19, UNHCR and partners have rolled out a massive prevention, preparedness and response programme. The Agency joined WHO and UNICEF in spreading risk awareness by translating posters in refugee languages, by briefing volunteers and IDP leaders, tens of thousands of text messages sent to urban refugees in Khartoum. In addition, in recent weeks, UNHCR delivered 1 million bars of soap to IDPs, refugees and their most vulnerable Sudanese neighbours. The Agency also established a surveillance system in refugee camps for immediate isolation of potential cases, reporting to the health authorities and subsequent testing. According to the results, so far the virus which is spreading fast in the country has not infected any refugee.

UNHCR AND PARTNERS START RELOCATION OF CAR REFUGEES TO A NEW SITE: In late April, the first 800 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) relocated away from the border in Um Dafoug, South Darfur where they were living in harsh conditions, to a better site with access to basic services such as water and health. UNHCR, together with COR, the government’s Commissioner for Refugees, and World Vision International have prepared the new site in Al Mashaga, South Darfur. Different from the dirt tracks close to the border, it should allow humanitarian and development agencies to work with the refugee community even during the rainy season. Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, UNHCR can only relocate a reduced number of men, women and children at a time. The relocation is expected to continue throughout May.

UNHCR and COR SECURE THE RELEASE OF DETAINED REFUGEES AMID COVID 19 FEARS: To reduce the risk of infection in overcrowded detention sites, UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with the government’s Commissioner for Refugees (COR) achieved the release from immigration detention in the Sudanese capital Khartoum of Eritrean asylum-seekers for proper registration. They had been in detention for administrative reasons.

Development in a Time of Upheaval – WBG President Remarks ahead of Annual Meetings Ahead of the WBG-IMF Annual Meetings, President David Malpass delivered a speech in Khartoum entitled “Development in a Time of Upheaval.” President Malpass is the first WBG President to visit Sudan in nearly 40 years. He commended civil and military authorities for their efforts in working together toward a better future. He recalled that development was dependent on peace and stability. During his speech, President Malpass noted that the world was going through a “troubling time of upheaval,” with a reversal in development and the poor being left behind in a “global tragedy of inequality”. He outlined four priorities to shorten the crisis, boost economic growth and resume development: promoting economic stability, leveraging the digital revolution, making development greener and more sustainable and investing in people. Read the full speech here and panel discussion here. Watch the full replay here: https://live.worldbank.org/david-malpass-speech-september-30

This Information Note on seeking asylum in South Sudan is prepared for people who have been impacted by the Sudan situation and may need more information on how to seek asylum in South Sudan. You may also visit the South Sudan ‘HELP’ website page of UNHCR to get more information: https://help.unhcr.org/southsudan