South Sudanese Refugees Flee to Rural Areas in South Sudan, Putting Strain on Resources

Refugees flee to rural areas in South Sudan.

Families trying to flee the violence and unrest in Sudan are making their way to rural areas in the northern part of South Sudan. This is a worrying turn of events, as these areas are already struggling to cope with the needs of the local population.

One of the people affected is Umjuma Achol Mut, a 29-year-old woman who fled her home in Bentiu, South Sudan, in 2016. She initially found safety in a camp in the Gambella region of Ethiopia, but she ultimately decided to relocate to Sudan in the hopes of starting over there. However, due to the outbreak of fighting in Sudan in April, she and her family were forced to undertake the hazardous journey across the border into South Sudan.

Humanitarian Crisis Worsened by the Rainy Season and Lack of Donor Funds

The influx of South Sudanese returnees and refugees from Sudan is placing tremendous pressure on the limited resources of a country that is still in the process of rebuilding from a protracted civil war as well as the terrible impacts of climate change.

The rainy season and a significant lack of donor funds are further aggravating the problem, making it difficult to provide assistance to refugees in rural areas. This has led to a congested transit center in the town of Renk, which is located on the border.

UNHCR and Partners Working to Assist Refugees

The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and its partners have established a presence at various border crossing sites in South Sudan in order to address the desperate situation that has developed there. Their principal responsibility is to keep track of and offer help to newly arrived refugees, the vast majority of whom are South Sudanese individuals who have returned to their homeland.

The UNHCR and other organizations have collaborated to establish transit centers across the country. At these sites, newly arrived refugees can get community shelter, common food, and communal water. These centers also play the role of a staging place, which helps to expedite the transfer of individuals to their intended destinations or to their home locations. In addition, the UNHCR is helping families reconnect with their loved ones who remain in South Sudan.

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One refugee shares her story.

Umjuma Achol Mut plans to make her way back to Gambella, where she has family, and is hopeful that her children will be able to continue their education as they begin the challenging process of reconstructing their lives.

The situation of South Sudanese refugees in rural areas is complex and challenging. Aid organizations are working to provide assistance, but they are facing significant challenges. It is important to continue to raise awareness of this crisis and to urge the international community to provide the necessary support.