SOUTH SUDANESE REFUGEE DELEGATION IN KHARTOUM SHARE EXPECTATIONS FROM REVIVED PEACE TALKS WITH SOUTH SUDAN’S LEADERS - On September 4, a group of 16 South Sudanese refugees from Sudan, Uganda, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Central African Republic (CAR) met in Khartoum with the signatories of the Revitalized Agreement on the Resolution of the Conflict in the Republic of South Sudan (R-ARCSS) and other political parties and stakeholders from South Sudan’s civil society. The refugees appealed to the international community to continue to support the people of South Sudan, and said that they will only return to South Sudan if the situation on the ground improves and there is a strong commitment to the agreement by all parties. They also expressed their readiness to play a greater role in awareness-raising and rebuilding trust amongst South Sudanese communities both in South Sudan and in exile. The meeting was facilitated by UNHCR in collaboration with the Government of Sudan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA), the Commissioner of Refugees (COR) and the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD).

HEALTH SERVICE GAPS EMERGING IN NORTH DARFUR - A health service gap has emerged in North Darfur State affecting about 14,000 refugees living in settlements, as well as their host communities who benefit from- and rely on this clinic and health services. Health partners are urgently needed to sustain health services in the area.

SECONDARY MOVEMENTS TO NORTH DARFUR ONGOING AS REFUGEES SEEK WORK – Biometric registration of refugees in Al Lait locality is ongoing. More than 500 refugees previously registered in East Darfur have arrived in Al Lait since August seeking casual labour opportunities during the locality’s harvest period. Over 60 per cent of newly registered refugees to North Darfur are young single males.

UNHCR hosted a gathering with political leaders from four continents, including Bangladesh, Costa Rica, Turkey and the World Bank at the UN General Assembly High Level Week in support of the global compact on refugees, a robust and systematic model to improve the lives of refugees and their host communities. The High Commissioner praised the role of host countries as first responders to refugee emergencies, like Bangladesh. The compact is expected to be endorsed in December 2018.

Protection -SGBV WG in August established a SAG- strategic advisory group. Strategic Advisory Group (SAG) of the SGBV Sub working group provides policy and strategic direction to the work of the SGBV SWG.

Protection -SGBV WG conducted a midyear revision of the group yearly work plan

Protection -MHPSS are still working on the online 4Ws tool for this year, The members are preparing for the world mental health day which will take place October 10th, a plan for the activities will be shared soon.

Education -MOE is working towards licensing all KG providers (providing standards and requirements are met). Meanwhile partners will support the ministry to reach the remaining 16 per cent of children that do not have access to KG2 by modelling and developing innovative strategies in collaboration with the Ministry in 2018/2019.

Education- Sector members raised concerns on the recent funding cuts affecting the sector across the board. To better prepare the sector for strategic shifts, the ESWG has launched a series of planning processes to re-define the strategic focus of the education sector well ahead of the formal planning processes of the JRP.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, Filippo Grandi Friday said empowering youth and investing in their future will pay dividends for peace, security and prosperity. “Empowering Afghan and Pakistani youth through vocational training and livelihood projects is an important part of strengthening both communities,” said the High Commissioner during his visit to the Construction Technology Training Institute (CTTI) in Islamabad.