In late April, in Kule camp, refugees celebrated the return of Dr. Riek Machar to South Sudanese capital Juba and his reinstatement as first Vice president of the Republic of South Sudan. Refugees including men, women and children celebrated by singing, cheering and expressing the hope that lasting peace will be restored in their country.

In early April, the Gambella region in western Ethiopia experienced a relatively high number of new South Sudanese arrivals into the region, crossing to Okugo refugee camp through the Raad corridor. Since 5 April 2016, more than 300 new arrivals have been registered by the Administration for Refugee and Returnee Affairs (ARRA) with support from UNHCR. Dozens of Unaccompanied and Separated children were among the new arrivals. Most of them said they trekked in the jungle for about two weeks before arriving in Okugo. UNHCR and partners have provided the refugees with basic assistance including corn soya blend (CSB) to children, plastic sheets, mosquito nets, blankets, sleeping mats and water jerry cans at the camp. The new arrivals fled intra-ethnic clashes in Ponchalla area which broke out on 21 March in Pochalla town between Pochalla North and Pochalla South Anuak communities and soon spread to nearby towns.

In a historic decision, the member states of the UN General Assembly today agreed on a new international framework – known as the Global Compact on Refugees – that will transform the way the world responds to mass displacement and refugee crises, benefiting both refugees and the communities that host them.

In Yusuf Batil camp, the refugee and host communities jointly opened a livestock market, with UNHCR’s help.

In Yusuf Batil camp, UNHCR completed the establishment of tree nurseries to promote environmental protection, with 7,000 seedlings planted in April.

In Yida, UNHCR registered 977 new arrivals from Sudan’s South Kordofan State in January 2016 and relocated 848 of them to Ajuong Thok camp.

In Yida, UNHCR registered 127 new arrivals from Sudan’s South Kordofan, bringing the total number to 14,165 since the start of a new influx on 23 December 2014.

In Yida, UNHCR observed a decrease in the number of children enrolled for moderate malnutrition programmes, down to 396 children in week 5 from 554 in week 1.

In Yida, UNHCR completed the verification of Yida refugees, confirming the presence of 61,590 individuals, down from 70,876 as of 31 May 2016.