UNHCR signs agreements with Ministries of Education in South and West Kordofan states to address critical education gaps.

Over 4,600 refugees arrive in South Darfur. Relocation from the border entry point at Kafia Kinji to El Radom settlement has begun.

East Darfur refugee population figure decreases by over 17,000 following completion of individual (biometric) registration for key out-of-camp settlement areas.

Seven refugees killed in clashes in Keilak, West Kordofan, in a retaliatory attack following recent clashed between the Missarriya tribe and armed groups from South Sudan in the Abyei area.

Local authorities at El Leri, South Kordofan have allowed the construction of 300 household latrines by UNICEF at the Dar Batti settlement after being halted in Fall 2017, following a request by authorities to relocate refugees living there due to increasing demand on local water supply and services.

Over 4,300 South Sudanese refugees newly arrived in Sudan in March, for a total of nearly 15,000 who have arrived in Sudan in 2018 so far. The majority of new arrivals are crossing through East Darfur and South Darfur. Total verified South Sudanese refugee population stands at nearly 769,000.

Fuel shortages across Sudan worsened at the end of March, interfering with response logistics and slowing down humanitarian assistance at refugee locations. While some relief has been provided with renewed availability of fuel supplies, additional shortages are anticipated in the coming months.

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.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL SUDAN (PIS) COMPLETES FIELD SURVEY ON SCHOOL DROP-OUT FOR REFUGEE AND HOST COMMUNITY CHILDREN IN AL KHOWEY LOCALITY, WEST KORDOFAN – PIS and national partner ALAAN Charity Organization conducted home visits with 130 refugee and host community families in the locality to identify drivers of school dropout. The main reasons for dropout cited by families include: children needing to work to support household income; inability to cover costs of school fees and supplies; household responsibilities (i.e., the need to support sick parents and provide sibling care); and discrimination. These issues underscore the links between livelihoods gaps and education access for both refugee and host community children in West Kordofan. Protection and education partners are collaborating on ways to address these issues. Scale-up of diversified livelihoods interventions and education assistance to support school retention is needed.

SUSPECTED MEASLES CASES CONTINUE TO BE REPORTED – As of 16 February, over 100 cases among both refugee and host communities have been reported in White Nile State camp clinics. Measles outbreaks have been reported across most States in Sudan, affecting Sudanese nationals as well as refugees. The State Ministry of Health and WHO are leading on surveillance, laboratory support and case management. A measles vaccination campaign will launch in April.