UNHCR GLOBAL DISTRIBUTION TOOL (GDT) PILOTED IN SUDAN – The GDT was piloted in the Sharq El Nil locality distribution from 4-7 August. The GDT uses biometric registration data to quickly and accurately verify 2,432 refugees collecting NFI kits on behalf of their families. This helps to speed up the distribution process and reduced opportunities for fraud. Refugees were able to see real-time reports on exactly who had collected for their families and what had been received. This helped to mitigate uncertainty and duplication issues. They reported that the distribution process felt more organized and transparent. The GDT forms an important part of ensuring refugees are able to access assistance in a secure and dignified manner. GDT is being rolled out for distributions across Sudan.

AN INFULX OF CAR REFUGEES CROSSING INTO DARFUR: A total of 7,729 new arrivals have crossed the border from Central Africa Republic to Central and South Darfur due to tribal conflicts. The majority of the new arrivals (6,587 individuals) are currently in South Darfur, Um Dafoug locality where level 1 (house hold) registration was conducted by COR. They arrived after July 2019 and this number is increasing daily. 5,727 of them arrived after the second week of October 2019. 296 households that comprise 1,142 individuals are in Um Dukhun locality in Central Darfur.

SUDAN RESUMED RIVER TRANSPORTATION WITH SOUTH SUDAN: World Food Programme (WFP) launched on 22 October barge transportation carrying food supplies from Kosti in White Nile State, Sudan to Renk and Malakal in South Sudan to increase food assistance to displaced South Sudanese people. The first three barges carried 4,500 tons of food, enough to feed 370,000 people for one month. The resumption of commercial transportation between Sudan and South Sudan may potentially facilitate cross border movements of people, including refugees.

UNHCR, COR and WVI PREPARE NEW SITE FOR CAR REFUGEES: UNHCR, together with COR and World Vision International are preparing a new site in Al Mashaga, South Darfur, for refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR), stranded near the CAR border in Um Dafoug, South Darfur. The new site offers the refugees basic services unavailable in the border area and is easier to access for humanitarian and development actors during the rainy season. The relocation of the refugees is expected to continue throughout April.

UNHCR AND PARTNERS START RELOCATION OF CAR REFUGEES TO A NEW SITE: In late April, the first 800 refugees from the Central African Republic (CAR) relocated away from the border in Um Dafoug, South Darfur where they were living in harsh conditions, to a better site with access to basic services such as water and health. UNHCR, together with COR, the government’s Commissioner for Refugees, and World Vision International have prepared the new site in Al Mashaga, South Darfur. Different from the dirt tracks close to the border, it should allow humanitarian and development agencies to work with the refugee community even during the rainy season. Due to COVID-19 prevention measures, UNHCR can only relocate a reduced number of men, women and children at a time. The relocation is expected to continue throughout May.

Bio-metric registration of refugees at the Kario site in East Darfur began in mid-December and is expected to be complete by end of February 2017.

On 15 February, UNHCR’s individual bio-metric registration has been finalized in all seven sites in White Nile State.

WFP flags ongoing pipeline breaks are interrupting general food distribution to South Sudanese refugees across Sudan. Breaks are linked to Sudan's economic crisis and recent import restrictions.

Camp site extensions granted in East Darfur and White Nile, to accommodate an additional 18,000 newly arrived refugees.