UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, together with 123 partners, is seeking $1.4 billion this year to meet the needs of 2.3 million South Sudanese refugees living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Uganda. A similar number of people living in local communities in the five asylum countries will benefit from services and support provided through a Regional Refugee Response Plan.

Since the start of the conflict in South Sudan over 10 years ago, growing humanitarian needs compounded by dire food shortages, continued insecurity, and the impacts of climate change, have kept South Sudanese refugees in exile and prompted new displacement. Four consecutive years of flooding have also destroyed homes and livelihoods, triggering further cross-border movements.

“While significant strides and commendable efforts have been made over the last 10 years by partners, this year’s Regional Refugee Response Plan builds on the incremental progress made and demonstrates that if given the resources, humanitarian aid combined with investments in resilience – for both refugees and the host communities that welcomed them – will facilitate longer term solutions,” said Mamadou Dian Balde, UNHCR’s Regional Director for the East and Horn of Africa and Great Lakes region.

Partners will build on gains already made with host governments and regional bodies to improve the protection environment for refugees and asylum-seekers through enhanced access to asylum and civil documentation. The plan also aims to support efficient delivery of humanitarian assistance and protection services, including the prevention of and responses to gender-based violence and sexual exploitation.

The inclusion of refugees and asylum-seekers in national health-care, education and other systems, as well as initiatives to boost people’s self-reliance through employment opportunities, are at the heart of this year’s response plan. Partners will aim to enhance support for resilience and solutions for refugees and their hosts through strategic partnerships with private sector and development actors.

Mental health, particularly among young South Sudanese refugees, will also be prioritized, especially as many are losing hope for their future due to limited opportunities. A new element in this year’s plan are partnerships and increased financing to enable displaced populations and host communities to become more climate resilient.

The plan will build on inclusive policies led by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and the East African Community (EAC), and align with pledges made by governments, private sector and donors made at the 2023 Global Refugee Forum last December.

Despite these inclusive policies and the generosity of host countries in welcoming South Sudanese refugees, global solidarity has been waning as the situation becomes more protracted. In 2023, partners only received 21 per cent of the resources needed, falling far short of what is required to ensure all South Sudanese refugees can live in dignity. In 2022, only a third of the requirements were received.

“Several countries in this region are undoubtedly experiencing complex challenges that often demand significant financial requirements. However, the people of South Sudan deserve our attention and support so they can contribute meaningfully to their societies and gain skills for when they eventually are able to return home,” said Balde.

South Sudan remains Africa’s largest refugee crisis. While the war in Sudan has forced nearly 200,000 South Sudanese to relocate to safer areas within Sudan and hundreds of thousands of others to return to their country prematurely, over 2 million remain in need of international protection in the region. We call for renewed solidarity with and support for the people of South Sudan and the countries that are hosting them.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

Amina is one of the many women who have experienced conflict-related sexual violence during the devastating two-year conflict in northern Ethiopia. For more than three years, she kept silent about her experience. Amina says she feared being stigmatized by family, friends and community members. “The burden was immense, affecting my health and relationships. My partner left me once he realized what had happened. My outlook on men has changed,” Amina said.

A turning point came when she attended community conversation sessions facilitated by the Amhara Women’s Association. These sessions provided psychosocial support and provided a safe space for Amina to share her experience, and she began the healing process. Through these discussions, Amina learned about gender-based violence (GBV), its consequences and the available support services. With newfound courage, she confided in others about her ordeal.

The support of case workers and counsellors also proved invaluable.  Amina was able to access vital support, including counselling, HIV testing and cash assistance, paving the way for her journey to recovery.

The Amhara Women’s Association (AWA) has been instrumental in providing support and services to survivors of GBV, like Amina, in the region. Through collaborative efforts, AWA has expanded access to essential services, including case management, psychosocial support and referrals, empowering survivors to rebuild their lives and futures.

These efforts are made possible through the Response to Conflict-related Sexual Violence Project in the Tigray, Afar, Amhara and Benishangul Gumuz regions, with funding from the Candian government. Through this project, UNFPA supports GBV programming in partnership with the Amhara Women Association in Debark, Debrebirhan, Dessie, Kombolcha and Nefas Mewcha Woredas, where five Women and Girl-Friendly Spaces (WGFS), and two safe houses are operating. A comprehensive service integrated with MHPSS services is available for GBV survivors in all WGFS.

GBV prevention and risk-mitigation activities are also addressed through awareness raising, cash-based intervention, and the provision of dignity kits for the most vulnerable women and girls. The Association of Women Sanctuary and Development (AWSAD) provides safe shelters to survivors in the region, with referrals through the region’s Bureau of Women, Children and Social Affairs. 

Adanech Shiferaw, UNFPA GBViE analyst, says Amina’s story is just one example of the transformative power of GBV support in overcoming trauma and building resilience. “Amina’s journey highlights the pressing need to address GBV and provide support for survivors in communities across Ethiopia. By breaking the silence surrounding GBV and offering comprehensive services, the endeavors of the Amhara Women’s Association are instrumental in empowering women and girls to reclaim their lives and future.”

Amina says she sees progress every day, but she worries about the current situation in the region. “I have received continued psychological support. If I continue with this and with Allah’s will, I will return to my normal health. However, the ongoing conflict worries me and I am afraid women, including me, are at risk of more violence.” she said. 

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UNFPA – East and Southern Africa.

With funding from Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD), Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) has signed a grant agreement with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), to support the latter’s relief aid for people fleeing the conflict in Sudan and seeking refuge or relocation in South Sudan.

The main areas of assistance include helping the Sudanese refugees and South Sudanese returnees to restore/maintain contact with their loved ones, as well as improving their access to essential health care services, clean drinking water, household items and food supplies.

“The signing of this agreement signifies the vital efforts made by ICRC, QFFD, and QRCS to support humanitarian action worldwide,” stated Basma Tabaja, Head of ICRC Delegation in Qatar.

Faisal Mohamed Al-Emadi, Acting Secretary-General of QRCS, stressed the importance of meeting the basic needs of people displaced from Sudan to South Sudan. “This agreement is part of QRCS’s continued humanitarian projects for vulnerable people in Sudan and many other countries, which were possible only with the contributions by our partners and donors, mainly QFFD,” he added.

Since the outbreak of violence in Sudan, April 2023, over 600,000 people have crossed the borders to South Sudan. ICRC has been working to respond to the urgent needs of both the refugees and returnees, by providing phone call services for separated families to get reconnected, as well as providing water purification materials and food and nonfood items (NFIs).

The joint venture with QRCS and QFFD builds on strategic discussions between ICRC and the Government of Qatar, which focus on strengthening collaboration in areas of mutual interest, in order to address the evolving humanitarian needs of conflict-affected communities.

“We are very grateful to Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for its pivotal role in making this strategic partnership happen. Together with QFFD and QRCS, we will strive to intensify humanitarian support for the millions of people suffering from the consequences of conflict,” Ms. Tabaja concluded.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).

The humanitarian situation in Ituri province in northeastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is becoming increasingly critical, with over 1.6 million people displaced in the province at the end of 2023. The international community must stop neglecting communities in Ituri and take urgent action to support them build the foundations for a peaceful future, urges the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).

While the world’s attention is captured by the worsening situation in and around Goma in the North Kivu province, the conflict in neighbouring Ituri is being repeatedly overlooked by the international community. Increased inter-communal violence has accelerated a breakdown in the social cohesion between communities as repeated attacks have forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes since February 2024

“We cannot afford to overlook the deteriorating conflict in Ituri. The lack of international attention beyond the crisis in North Kivu and the increasing breakdown in relations between local communities across Ituri demand immediate action. We need to be able to deliver more humanitarian aid while also promoting dialogue and reconciliation locally,” said Eric Batonon, NRC country director in DRC.

The number of violent attacks in Ituri have increased steadily over the past six months, with almost 200 attacks taking place since the start of the year. Local populations have been strongly affected, as they are unable to work their lands out of fear of attacks or reprisals and cannot provide for their families. The intense violence is driving communities into small areas that are considered stable for the moment. Here, both displaced people and their hosting communities are forced to compete for already limited food, jobs and land while international support remains insufficient.

Georgette is an internally displaced woman who fled her village of Lonalo-LOTSIKPA since 2019 and is now in the Plaine Savo camp. Her 5 years in the camp look like hell for her.

“I feel like I’m in prison here, it’s not a place I like. I’d like to go home. It’s hard to get food. There’s not much assistance. Access to water is also a problem. I’m tired of this life, especially when I see my children who can no longer go to school,” she said.

The cross-cutting impact of the crisis in Ituri is being felt at all levels and is resulting in a dangerous and vicious cycle as aid stays scarce and tensions grow. Disputes over land and resources are increasingly difficult to manage for local communities, as traditional conflict-resolution mechanisms are inadequate faced with this rapid deterioration. Lack of funding for social cohesion means that disputes over land, water points and livelihoods will continue to undermine the future of Ituri for years.

Children often go to school with little to no food to sustain them, and in overcrowded and poorly maintained classrooms, which has a negative impact on learning outcomes as well as psychosocial wellbeing. While schools should stand for safe environments of learning and socialisation, NRC research shows that almost one out of four parents in Ituri fear for their children’s safety when they’re in school. Education is a critical component to building long-term peaceful solutions.   

Addressing the crisis in the province requires a comprehensive response that is supported by sufficient resources and responds to immediate needs while also building durable solutions for those affected.

“We must help communities rebuild trust and relations to avoid even more conflict in the future. Improving the humanitarian crisis will require building peaceful solutions from the ground up. This can be achieved by enhancing support for conflict transformation and social cohesion initiatives in Ituri” said Eric Batonon.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Norwegian Refugee Council.