REFUGEES FROM KHARTOUM REGISTERED, ASSISTED IN WHITE NILE STATE – In White Nile State, Level I registration of newly displaced refugees from Khartoum ‘open areas’ went on in Um Sangour and Alagaya camps, with 571 households registered and supported with non-food items and food assistance. These are among the 5,500 refugees who relocated to camps in White Nile in June following attacks on their communities that included sexual and gender-based violence and looting. UNHCR and the Commission of Refugees (COR) conducted an assessment in Alagaya camp targeting refugees who had arrived from Khartoum. The assessment aimed to find the driving factors for refugees fleeing from Khartoum. Some of the key factors were the fragile security situation, and demonstrations in Khartoum and the need to register as refugees which will enable them to benefit from assistance and services in camps.

UNHCR’s Representative in Uganda today handed over three ambulances, thirty one motorcycles and a thermal scanner to the Ministry of Health to boost the Ebola response. Uganda has included refugees in the National Ebola Preparedness and Response Plan and continues to keep its borders open, ensuring safe and dignified asylum for the women, children and men arriving daily from the neighbouring countries.

UNHCR welcomes Uganda Communications Commission directive to improve refugees’ access to SIM cards.

UNHCR AND COR COMPLETE RAINY SEASON PREPAREDNESS NFI DISTRIBUTION IN KHARTOUM’S “OPEN AREAS” - From 23 June to 7 August, UNHCR and the Government of Sudan’s Commission of Refugees (COR) distributed NFI kits to over 15,000 South Sudanese refugee and host community households households across 9 ‘open area’ settlements in Khartoum State. The distribution also targeted newly displaced South Sudanese refugees who fled to Bantiu ‘Open Area’ in June following attacks in Khartoum, as well as vulnerable host community households. The kits included plastic sheets, mosquito nets and sleeping mats, and was part of rainy season preparedness for existing refugees, and emergency response to address the needs of newly displaced families in the open areas. ‘Open areas’ are informal settlements hosting South Sudanese refugees in Khartoum.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.