UGANDA YUMBE SETTELEMENT UNHCR OPERATIONAL UPDATE HIGHLIGHTS

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1 UGANDA YUMBE SETTELEMENT UNHCR OPERATIONAL UPDATE 7 October 2016 KEY FIGURES 253,585 No of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda from in 2016 (1 January 7 October) 202,630 No of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda from 7 July 7 October 434,338 No. of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda (source: Government of Uganda, Refugee Information Management System [RIMS] added to the refugee population registered manually since 1 July.) 131,352 No. of South Sudanese refugees in Yumbe (3 August 6 October) 2,179 Average daily arrival of SSD refugee into Uganda since 7 July 2016 OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES Explore additional sources of water to ensure an adequate and sustainable supply of water in Bidibidi. Expand and develop new areas of Bidibidi to receive refugees from South Sudan. Strengthen capacity of Protection partners for a more robust response to a growing number of refugees. HIGHLIGHTS Between 7 July and 7 October a total of 202,630 refugees from South Sudan arrived in Uganda. Between 1 7 Oct., 15,599 individuals arrived at an average daily rate of 2,228 persons. This represents a decrease compared to the first 7 days of Sept., where 21,577 refugees arrived at an average daily rate of 3,079 individuals. Fighting, violence and road blocks on routes leading to the SSD Uganda border have contributed to the reduction in the number of arrivals in Uganda, most notably at the Busia border entry point. Arrivals through Elegu have decreased significantly in October to a total of 702 refugees between 1 7 Oct. Some SSD refugees also arrive spontaneously in Ocea Reception Center/Rhino Settlement every day. South Sudanese Refugee Population in Uganda 434,338 SSD since 1 January SSD since 1 July SSD in Bidibidi, Yumbe No of SSD Refugees in Uganda 0 50, , , , , ,000 1

2 UPDATE ON ACHIEVIEMENTS Operational Context Refugees from SSD continue to arrive at an average rate of 2,000-2,500 per day. Many refugees have spent long periods of time travelling while hiding in the bush, often without access to food, water and other needs. UNHCR working with OPM and partners, has set up collection points to receive and provide basic services (WASH, health, food) to the arriving population and to facilitate their relocation to Bidbidi Settlement. Activities aim to include local villagers who generously host and support refugees. Based on interviews with refugees, reasons for flight are: 1) indiscriminate killing of civilians often based on ethnic origin, arbitrary arrest; 2) targeted killings; 3) forced recruitment of boys and men; 4) burning of villages, property and killing of livestock, 5) looting and abduction 6) hunger and lack of adequate food, medication and basic necessities, 7) inflation and the soaring cost of living. Achievement Protection (UNHCR, OPM, UNFPA, UNICEF, Plan International, WVI, TPO, URCS, ADRA and IRC) Persons with Specific Needs (PSN) As of 6 October a total of 8,408 PSNs have been identified in Bidibidi Settlement representing 6.5% of the total population. The majority of PSNs are Women at Risk (pregnant/lactating and female-headed households) followed by older persons at risk and persons with disabilities. UNHCR and protection partners provide assistance including aid with the construction of PSN family shelters. To date 1,563 PSN shelters have been completed. Community Services Formation of 15 Refugee Welfare Councils (RWC), each with 20 men and women members in Zone 1 and 2 is completed. Leadership Training for members of the RWCs is ongoing to ensure better understanding of roles and responsibilities and to strengthen linkages with OPM, UNHCR and partner organizations. Neighborhood Watch Teams were formed in the 15 blocks to improve safety and security conditions. Establishment of Distribution/Food Committees, Water Management and Sanitation Committees has been completed in all blocks (Zone 1 & 2). SGBV 33 solar lights were installed in key locations of Zone 1 to mitigate the risk of SGBV incidents after dark. Identification of locations in Zone 1 and Zone 2 for the installation of another 62 solar lights provided through the Safe from the Start initiative is ongoing in consultation with the refugee community. SGBV continues with capacity building of partner staff as well as community members. 80 SGBV Community Outreach Volunteers (COV) were identified and trained in Bidibidi 40 per Zone 1 and 2, to support SGBV prevention and response interventions. New SGBV COVs and 11 youth representatives and community members (27 F/24 M) received a 2-day training to increase their knowledge of SGBV and enable them to identify and refer cases as well as conduct community awareness raising sessions. Identification of SGBV Community Outreach Volunteers for Zone 3 is in progress. An SGBV prevention and response training was also conducted for 38 eight peer educators and community leaders (27 M/11 F). Child Protection (CP) CP Coordination structure is expanding its scope to include children at risk (early & forced marriage specifically), vulnerable children including those with mental and/or physical disabilities, children subject to multiple risks (abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence). Election of CP Committees and community dialogue groups is ongoing in Zone 1. Identification of a pool of foster families continues in each block to ensure adequate fostering for identified unaccompanied minors 2

3 Communication with Communities team has focused its efforts on the provision of information on buses relocating refugees from border and collection points to the reception centre in Bidibidi through a loudspeaker information systems. In Bidibidi Settlement a Boda Boda Talk Talk (BBTT) mechanism has been set-up this is a mobile audio system using a motorbike and speaker system to strengthen information sharing including information on CRI and food distribution, WASH, SGBV and other key concerns raised by the community. Pre-recorded messages are recorded with volunteer refugees and are played in English and Juba Arabic. These messages also support mobilization of communities to attend key meetings - including elections for Refugee Welfare Councils. Additional mechanisms for communication with communities are being explored through radio listening groups and community radio stations. PSN Need to strengthened PSN referral pathways and targeted support including follow up and monitoring of cases. Community Services Lack of access roads to allow refugee population to move to their designated plots and set up community structures to participate in management services and activities (WASH, Health CRI and food delivery). SGBV Further training is required for SGBV Community Outreach Volunteers as they maintain deeply entrenched cultural attitudes on gender roles and power structures (and male superiority of power). Child Protection Need for additional training and capacity building of partners and greater linkages with community CP structures. Improve procedures on complex cases with multiple vulnerabilities and exposed to multiple risks. CwC Significant gaps remain in terms of information sharing mainly due to lack of access to channels (radio, mobile phone, credit) and limited number of staff to engage in community dialogue. Education (UNHCR, OPM, UNICEF, Plan International, TPO, AAR and WTU) Construction of 10 primary schools is underway with three already operational. Each school has 9 classrooms for Primary Levels 1-7 and with a capacity of up to 700 children. To date, 4,359 children have registered in 5 schools. Recruitment and deployment of Head Teachers, classroom teachers and teaching assistances is completed, in coordination with Yumbe Education District Committee. An assessment of educational needs in Zone 3 has been completed to ensure implementation of educational interventions soonest. A further assessment of secondary school needs and opportunities is underway. A total of 3,418 children (1,618 girls, 1,800 boys) are currently enrolled in 2 Early Childhood Development (ECD) programs in Zone 1. A 4-day Education in Emergency training was delivered to 149 newly recruited teachers - including Head Teachers, Classroom Assistants and Classroom Teachers. The objective of this training was to explore challenges and opportunities which may arise in their newly established schools, and to help build their capacity in responding to same. Education partners are planning to construct secondary schools one each in Zone 1 and 2 to meet existing needs. Additional needs include accelerated learning programmes, school bridging programmes, integrated vocational skills programmes, and identification and established pathways to diploma and degree courses. There is a need to explore opportunities with government secondary schools in Yumbe District, whereby fees may be waived for refugee students in exchange for construction of classrooms, provision of desks, scholastic materials etc. There is a need for school supplies: desks, blackboards and scholastic materials to deliver quality education. 3

4 Health (UNHCR, OPM, UNFPA, IRC, RMF, UNICEF, WHO, TPO, MSF, MTI) During the last week, a total of 7,267 OPD consultations were conducted at the Bidibidi health facilities including some 5.8% by the host population. The leading causes of illness were malaria (32.4%), Respiratory Tract Infections/RTI (17.3%) followed by Acute Watery Diarrhea/AWD (8.3%). The Crude Mortality Rate (CMR) and Under-5 year mortality rates are estimated at 0.1 and 0.3 deaths/10,000/day which is below the emergency threshold. In the past week a total of 58 cases of Acute Watery Diarrhea (AWD) (55 refugees and three nationals) were reported; no deaths reported so far. All patients with AWD were successfully treated and discharged. Two new cases were reported on 22 September 2016 (following a period of 10 days without registering a new case). Current response mechanisms include social mobilization, active case identification, surveillance, case management, infection control measures, and follow up of patients/contacts at the community level. A team of 89 Village Health Workers completed a five-day training in Zone 1. Using a pooled approach, the VHW will be operational in the next days. The first group of 50 VHW has started training in Zone 2. Blood transfusion services remain a major challenge. Need for establishment of referral facilities in the district as the Yumbe hospital is due to close for renovations at the end of Key facilities in need of upgrading as identified by the District Health Office include: Midigo Health Centre 4, Yumbe Health Centre, Barakala Health Centre 3 and Lochombo Health Centre 3. Of immediate relevance to the refugee population are the Yoyo Health Centre 3, Barakala 3 and Yumbe Health Centre 4. Need for additional ambulances in Bidibidi Settlement as the current 3 (1 / Zone) are grossly inadequate. Erratic supply of vaccines at the District level; District Health Officer is following up. Food Security and Nutrition (WFP, UNHCR, UNICEF, WVI, CWW, ACF) Hot meals are provided for all newly arrived refugees at the reception center on the night of their arrival and the following day after they are relocated to their plots. A 15 day dry ration (maize flour, beans, vegetable oil, CSB+ and salt) is thereafter provided for all the September/October arrivals. The ration provides 1,995 kcal/per person per day, lower than the recommended 2,100 kcal/ per person per day. 12,731 children 6-59 months were screened for malnutrition at the Elegu, Oraba, Kuluba and Busiya Kerwa and Kei entry points within the month of September. 535 (4.2%) of these were found to be acutely malnourished. Of these 127 (1.0%) were severely malnourished and 408 (3.2%) were moderately malnourished. A system to ensure these cases are treated at the receiving reception centers before being relocated to the settlements has been initiated and continues to be strengthened to ensure maximum coverage. There are currently 752 children 6-59 months (6ITC, 165 OTC and 581 SFP) and 1429 >5 years olds enrolled in the nutrition centers for rehabilitation in Bidibidi settlements as of week 38. A number of initiatives are underway to address gaps. These include: Establishment of food distribution centers and a food basket/post distribution monitoring system Capacity building to ensure a comprehensive nutrition program that includes screening of all new arrivals, awareness, promotion and protection of infant and young child feeding, quality community outreach program, nutrition surveillance and development of a standardized monitoring and reporting framework. Scaling up of nutrition rehabilitation infrastructure at the decentralized sites. Sites in zone 2 are under construction. Provision of supplementary feeding and set up of 2 static facilities in Zone 3 4

5 Water and Sanitation (UNHCR, UNICEF, OXFAM, URCS, WHH, SP, WMI, DRC, MSF, ACF, WVI, NRC, Malteser International) Two additional sources of water for trucking have been identified, one in Midigo sub-county (144,000 litres per day) and another at Obongi river where a water treatment plant is operational. 12 bore holes have been drilled. A total of 311 household latrines have been completed; this reflects a total of 1,222 stances reflecting a ratio of 1:38. There is currently 11,2 l/p/d in Zone 1 and 8 l/p/d in Zone 2 and 3. Overall, the water supply in Bidibidi remains below the standard 15 l/p/d. Hand washing facilities at the Reception Centre remain inadequate and there is need for lights at the latrines. WASH sector is following up to ensure required hand washing stands and security lights at the latrines. Shelter and CRIs (UNHCR, WVI, URCS, AIRD, AAR) Site Planning sector conducts daily technical meetings with partners (OPM and AIRD) to monitor progress of road works and ensure demarcation of new areas and plot allocation are on track. The team is currently focusing on opening and ensuring access roads for service delivery in settlement areas. Work on a new site in Yoyo 3 (Zone 3) is ongoing with demarcation of plots and completion of internal roads to permit access to plots and installation of WASH facilities and other services before the arrival of refugees. Site assessment of Zone 4, a new area is also completed in preparation for the arrival of additional refugees. Allocation of space for community centres, recreational areas, schools, health facilities and Protection Information Posts has been completed. Infrastructures activities are going on in all zones of Bidibidi Settlement with a focus on opening of access roads. Construction of schools, latrine & shower blocks are ongoing. Distribution of Core Relief Items (CRIs) continues on a daily basis. Limited number of heavy machinery imposes challenges on road works. Heavy rains also impede continuation of work. CRI: Replenishment of CRI stocks and the subsequent distribution of backlogs has created logistical challenges at distribution points. Available trucks for transport of CRIs are inadequate for the zones located at some distance from the warehouse. Working in partnership UNHCR cooperates closely with the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) to coordinate activities in Bidibidi settlement. Separate coordination structures are established for WASH, Health and Nutrition, Child Protection, Community Services and Protection sectors chaired by UNHCR. 5

6 On 28 September a meeting with UNHCR, OPM, district authorities and partners was held to review activities in Bidibidi and address gaps in a concrete way including WASH, plot allocation, road safety and security, etc. In addition to Government authorities, partners engaged in Bidibidi, Yumbe include: AAR Japan, ADRA - Adventist Development and Relief Agency - AIRD African Initiatives for Relief and Development, ACF Action Contre la Faim / Action Against Hunger, Association for Aid and Relief, CEFORD - Community Empowerment For Rural Development, CWW - Concern Worldwide, DRC Danish Refugee Council, IRC International Rescue Committee, Malteser International, MSF - Medecins sans Frontieres, MTI Medical Teams International, Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, OXFAM, Plan - Plan International, RMF Real Medicine Foundation, SP Samaritan s Purse, TPO Transcultural Psychological Organization Uganda, UNICEF, UNHCR, UNFPA, URCS Uganda Red Cross Society, WMI - Water Mission International, WHH - Welthungerhilfe - WFP World Food Programme, WHO World Health Organization, WTU Windle Trust Uganda, WVI World Vision International. Contacts: Nasir Fernandes, Snr Emergency Coordinator, fernand@unhcr.org, Tel: M. Farman-Farmaian, Snr Emergency External Relations Officer, farman@unhcr.org, Tel: Junichiro Kosaka, Reporting Officer, kosaka@unhcr.org, Tel: Shahzad Asghar, Emergency Information Management Officer, asghar@unhcr.org, Tel: Links: 6