200 refugees cross to Uganda daily - UNHCR

KAMPALA - The ongoing conflict in South Sudan has increased the number of refugees crossing into Uganda, with the latest figures released by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) indicating that 200 South Sudanese cross to Uganda daily.

"A total of 1,326 crossed into Uganda between Friday and Saturday, with 1,633 more arriving on Sunday. The majority are South Sudanese, but there are also believed to be some Ugandans. Prior to Friday, the average daily rate was 233," UNHCR officials said.

According to a statement from UNHCR, majority of the refugees fleeing violence in South Sudan are women and children.

"These new arrivals bring the total number to have fled to Uganda since the latest violence in South Sudan began on July 7 to 5,015. More than 90 per cent of the new arrivals were women and children under the age of 18 years," the statement said.

To accommodate the rising number of refugees, UNHCR is requesting for $701m (sh2.3 trillion) for South Sudan refugee operation budget.

Presenting the appeal for more funding, Ann Encontre, Regional Refugee Coordinator for the South Sudan situation, said the overall planning figure had risen from 867,239 refugees to 973,000.

She warned that it could pass the one million mark in the coming months.

The conflict in South Sudan started two weeks ago when forces loyal to President Salva Kiir and Vice President Dr. Riek Machar clashed, leaving 300 people dead and thousands displaced.

The African Union (AU) and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) have since approved a proposal to deploy a regional protection force to safeguard civilians and also force the warring factions to respect the August 2015 peace accord.

Without peace in South Sudan, UNHCR is predicting more refugees to cross to Uganda, a move that necessitates urgent interventions in terms of settlement and feeding of the people fleeing the volatile country.

David Apollo Kazungu, a commissioner in the refugee department at the Office of the Prime Minister, told New Vision that various camps have been set within Uganda to accommodate the rising number of refugees.

"It is true that we are receiving about 200 to 300 refugees from South Sudan every day. But we have also increased efforts to ensure that we can accommodate them," he said.

UNHCR officials said refugees are crossing into Uganda through border points of Moyo, Kuluba, Lamwo, Yumbe and Elegu.

"Some are heading directly to Kiryandongo refugee settlement in the mid-west of the country. The border was previously closed on the South Sudan side, but restrictions have been eased. The new arrivals are mostly fleeing from Eastern Equatorial state, with a smaller number arriving from Juba," UNHCR noted.

Majority of the refugees, UNHCR noted, are staying in Pagiarinya settlement camp in Adjumani, which has capacity constraints.

"A recent evaluation found that Pagiarinya has capacity for another 6,500 people, meaning it is likely to be full within a few days," UNHCR officials said, putting the total number of  South Sudanese refugees in the camp so far at 6, 000.

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