UNHCR is working closely with the Government of Sudan to improve South Sudanese refugee access to documentation and identification (ID) in Khartoum through a phased registration process. The Government's Immigration and Passport Police (IPP) unit initiated the first phase in mid-February to verify the total number of South Sudanese refugees living in Khartoum and issue them with foreigner ID numbers. Over 22,000 refugees have been registered by the IPP so far. The 2nd phase will be led by UNHCR and COR with biometric registration in order to support their access to protection, documentation and other assistance. Biometric registration will likely start in May and will be rolled out concurrently with the IPP process.

CLOSURE OF JODA BORDER ENTRY POINT IN WHITE NILE – The Joda entry point has been closed since 28 March, with reasons for the closure still unclear. This has halted the crossing of South Sudanese people from the northern Upper Nile region in South Sudan. Reports indicate that “many” people are stranded on the other side intending to cross into Sudan. UNHCR is preparing a contingency plan for Joda to manage a higher arrival figure if/when Joda re-opens. Two other border entry points at El Megenis and Kuek remain open and continue to receive new arrivals.

FUEL SHORTAGE DRIVING SHUT DOWN OF WATER TREATMENT PLANTS – Sudan’s fuel crisis remains a major challenge to service delivery across the response. The fuel shortage has interrupted water treatment plant operations for refugee camps along the White Nile River, with refugees now drawing water directly from the river at several camp locations. UNHCR is working with local partners and authorities to secure emergency fuel supplies; however, in the meantime, WASH partners are initiating the distribution of water purification tablets and public information initiatives on the importance of boiling water to mitigate waterborne illness risk. Household water filters are also being procured in anticipation of ongoing interruptions to clean water supply for refugees living in camps.

BIOMETRIC REGISTRATION EXERCISE CONTINUES FOR SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KHARTOUM – As of 29 May, the Government of Sudan’s Commission for Refugees (COR), with support from UNHCR, have registered over 1,600 South Sudanese refugees living in ‘open area’ settlements. The exercise is ongoing for an estimated 60,000 refugees living across 9 settlements.

ONGOING NATIONAL FUEL SHORTAGE AFFECTING REFUGEE OPERATIONS ACROSS SUDAN – Partners have reported temporary interruptions to clinic and hospital operations across all states, and student enrollment campaigns have been delayed in South and West Kordofan States. WFP also faced challenges to timely pre-positioning of food supplies at refugee settlements that typically become inaccessible during the rainy season. Nearly all water treatment plants servicing refugee and host communities in White Nile State have reduced pumping hours, with people drawing water directly from the White Nile River. WASH partners distributed chlorination tablets and initiated public awareness campaigns on the importance of boiling river water. MSF-Spain established Surface Water Treatment Plant (SWAT) systems at Al Kashafa and Al Waral camps to support emergency water treatment.

HEAVY RAINS DAMAGE SHELTERS AND REFUGEE SCHOOL IN SOUTH KORDOFAN STATE – Heavy rains in May damaged shelters and homes of refugee and host communities in Kadugli, affecting over 120 households. UNHCR, COR and the Sudanese Red Crescent Society (SRCS) are planning for shelter replenishment. In Sirajiya, heavy rains damaged classrooms at a refugee school, and the refugee community has requested UNHCR’s support to build permanent classrooms that withstand the weather conditions.

Regional Refugee Coordinator and Special Advisor for the South Sudan Situation, Mr. Arnauld Akodjenou, carried out a resource mobilization mission in May and June aimed at fostering visibility to the dire situation of the South Sudanese crisis and bolster political and economic support to the crisis.

In Uganda, a joint statement on the progress of the joint verification exercise was issued on 25 June 2018, by the Office of the Prime Minister and UNHCR drawing preliminary conclusions and analysis from the results so far in the spirit of transparency and accountability.

In Sudan, the Joda entry point closed last April due to a border dispute has been reopened at the end of June 2018, with over 200 refugees arriving through the entry point on 28 June and consecutively transported to Um Sangour camp.

UNHCR’s Regional Refugee Coordinator (RRC) and Special Advisor for the South Sudan situation carried out a brief to Ambassadors and Head of delegations in Nairobi on the needs of South Sudanese refugees on July 6, 2018 at the invitation of the Australian High Commissioner, H.E. Ms. Alison Chartres.