UNHCR calls for open borders for possible South Sudan refugee outflows

UNHCR is calling on all armed parties to ensure safe passage for people fleeing the fighting that erupted late last week in Juba between troops loyal to President Salva Kiir and First Vice-President Riek Machar and we urge neighbouring countries to keep borders open to people seeking asylum. Inside South Sudan, some 7,000 internally displaced people have sought shelter in the UN’s bases in Juba. Providing them with food, shelter, water, hygiene and sanitation facilities will remain a critical challenge so long as the security situation remains bad. The situation of some 9,000 urban refugees is worrisome. Some refugees who spoke to UNHCR are uncertain about their security and have difficulties in getting food and water. Other refugee-hosting sites across South Sudan are reported to be calm. Meanwhile, some borders have been affected such as the Uganda-South Sudan crossing, where security is tightened on the South Sudan side. This has led to a significant decrease in the number of new arrivals coming into Uganda over the weekend. Just 95 people crossed on Saturday, dropping to 36 on Sunday, compared with a daily average of more than 200 for July. Higher levels of new arrivals are expected once the border reopens. Those that have managed to cross have reported indiscriminate attacks against civilians, with buses from Juba to the Uganda border being stopped and robbed. In western Ethiopia’s Gambella region, UNHCR has stepped up border monitoring with Ethiopia’s refugee commission. Emergency preparedness is in progress in Kenya, Sudan and other neighbouring countries in case of a major influx. There has not been any big influx at the Kenya-South Sudan border, though over the weekend UNHCR received 36 individuals from Eastern Equatoria state. We have stepped up border monitoring and await more news. For more information on this topic, please contact: In Kampala, Charlie Yaxley, yaxley@unhcr.org , +256 (0) 776 720 045 In Nairobi, Teresa Ongaro, ongaro@unhcr.org, +254 735 337 608 In Juba, Rocco Nuri, nuri@unhcr.org +256 779 663 793 In Gambella, Sulaiman Momodou, momodu@unhcr.org +251 935 978 519 In Geneva, Leo Dobbs, dobbs@unhcr.org +41 79 883 6347