In Uganda, the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) and the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) jointly released the revised 2019-2020 Uganda Refugee Response Plan (RRP). The revision is a result of an exercise of planning figures, targets and budgets with a reduced refugee population as of year-end 2018 which started last February.

In June 2019, UNHCR undertook survey of South Sudanese refugees on intention of return and to identify the impediments preventing return, as perceived and conveyed by the refugees. The intention survey will also help guide planning for refugee operations in 2020-2021 as well as to enhance evidence-based decision making for the protection and solutions for South Sudan refugees and returnees.

On 30 June, a first case of Ebola was confirmed in Ariwara, Aru Territory, DRC. In order to strengthen preventive measures to contain the virus, UNHCR and its partners conducted four mass sensitization sessions in Biringi, Aru and Aba targeting refugees and host community members.

OVER 1,000 REFUGEES NEWLY ARRIVED IN JUNE – Majority of refugees arrived in West and South Kordofan States, followed by White Nile, South Darfur and White Nile States. Lower arrival flows are typical of this time of year with the start of the rainy season in South Sudan and in border entry areas in Sudan, when roads become impassable and rivers and Wadis (Valleys) have flooded in many areas. While arrival rates are slower than in previous years, current movements suggest that there continues to be assistance disruptions in border areas or that people are blocked from accessing assistance. Reports from new arrivals in South Kordofan indicate ongoing insecurity and very high food insecurity in areas of origin in Unity and Northern Bahr El Ghazal States in South Sudan. Add total new arrivals in 2019 as of 30 June.

OVER 7,000 SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEES IN KHARTOUM ARE NEWLY DISPLACED FOLLOWING ATTACKS IN KHARTOUM – Host community attacks on South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum on 6-7 June led to the displacement of over 7,000 refugees who fled to safety in Bantiu ‘Open Area’ settlement in Khartoum and Um Sangour camp in White Nile State. Refugees in other ‘Open Areas’ in Khartoum also reported that host communities have demanded that refugees leave their settlements and are blaming them for increased criminal activity in Khartoum. UNCHR, COR, UNICEF and other partners have supported the newly displaced refugees in Khartoum’s Bantiu ‘Open Area’ with Non-Food Items (NFI), registration and protection support. In White Nile camps, displaced families are being registered and receiving emergency food from WFP and NFI assistance from UNHCR and partners.

DETERIORATING SECURITY SITUATION SLOWED REFUGEE OPERATIONS IN JUNE – Sudan's security situation deteriorated in June, with reports of increased violence and criminality, including sexual and gender-based violence, across most States hosting South Sudanese refugees. A nationwide internet shutdown began on 3 June, with nearly 50 per cent of response partners without internet access throughout June. Response partners reported difficulties accessing their offices due to movement restrictions in Khartoum for a number of days. Price fluctuations observed since the beginning of 2019 worsened with scarcity of many goods in local markets. Cash shortages continued throughout June, aggravated by bank closures during a general strike from 9-11 June. Where banks were open, lack of internet disrupted banking services. Distribution activities were delayed in many locations due to the security situation and fuel shortages, including education supplies.

MEASLES AND POLIO CAMPAIGNS – Countrywide measles and polio vaccination campaign was launched in April. The vaccination campaign is part of the response to the measles outbreak that affected all Sudan States since November 2018, with over 5,959 cases reported across resident, host and refugee communities. The campaign is targeting 3.4 million children between 9 months and 10 years of age for measles, and below 5 years of age for polio. The vaccination campaign is being paired with health promotion initiatives to raise awareness of the benefits of the measles vaccine and support symptom recognition and reporting by communities at risk.

ENROLLMENT CAMPAIGNS LAUNCHED FOR REFUGEE CHILDREN IN EAST DARFUR – The exercise has seen enrolment nearly double in a two-week period, from 617 refugee students to 1,210 students across both Al Nimir and Kario camps. In El Ferdous settlements, over 800 refugee students enrolled so far. The campaigns include coordinated refugee community sensitization initiatives on the importance of school enrolment and attendance, especially for girls. The 2019/2020 school year is scheduled to begin in June.

SUDAN’S TRANSITIONAL MILITARY COUNCIL (TMC) AND THE FORCES OF FREEDOM AND CHANGE (FFC) COALITION REACH A POWER-SHARING AGREEMENT - On 5 July, Sudan’s Transitional Military Council (TMC) and the Forces for Freedom and Change (FFC) coalition reached a power-sharing agreement for a transitional period of just over three years. On 9 July, the Government restored internet connectivity across Sudan, easing communication challenges response partners faced since 3 June. However, shortages of cash, fuel and diesel persist. A total of 883 South Sudanese refugees arrived in Sudan in July, bringing the number of new arrivals so far in 2019 to 14,758.

HEAVY RAINS IN SOUTH KORDOFAN STATE RENDER FIVE REFUGEE SETTLEMENTS INACCESSABLE DUE TO WASHED OUT ROADS - Over 8,000 refugees live in the affected areas. Some partners are using tractors to access the area. In White Nile State, heavy rains left health facilities in Alagaya and Jouri camps flooded, highlighting the need to improve the health facility structures.