Improved health and protection for refugees and returnees from Sudan

finished

Since the beginning of the violent conflict in Sudan, South Sudan has seen a wave of returnees and refugees from Sudan seeking safety and access to basic services in communities along the border in South Sudan. As of end of April 2024, over 650'000 people have arrived from Sudan since the outbreak of the crisis in April 2023. The average number of daily arrivals is around 1'000 persons. Nearly half (51%) of these refugees and returnees are children under the age of 18.

With no sign of peace or halt in Sudan’s fighting, the arrivals are expected to continue throughout 2024. A major concern is the significant number of vulnerable returnees and refugees: especially women have often experienced or witnessed violence and exploitation during their journey.

Also the prolonged conflict and socioeconomic conditions in South Sudan have deepened vulnerabilities and increased poverty, also among the host community, and particularly for young women and children. Without adequate measures, especially women and children may find themselves at enhanced risks of violence and neglect or driven to adopting negative coping mechanisms.

Caritas Switzerland together with its two national partners Africa Development Aid (ADA) and Caritas Juba plan to extend current ongoing projects in Renk in Upper Nile State and in Gorom Camp in Juba. One part of this project will consist of continued psychological support for refugees/returnees in Renk, implemented by ADA, while the other part will consist of support for refugees/returnees from Sudan in Gorom Camp, implemented by Caritas Juba.

In Renk, the project aims to provide basic services to 1000 crisis-affected children, with a focus on addressing protection needs of unaccompanied, abandoned, separated children (UASC). Supportive services will include

• community awareness sessions on child protection issues and GBV,
• identification and training of a community-based Child Protection Network (CBCPN), and
• the establishment of and support of a new child-friendly space,
• as well as training for 20 foster parents.

In Gorom Refugee Camp, the project foresees access to improved health services through the distribution of medical equipment and medicine, training for medical staff, and a mobile clinic for urgent medical cases within the camp. A child-friendly safe space will be provided with toys and sports equipment. Female refugees and returnees in the camp will benefit from GBV treatment and referral services. Awareness sessions will be conducted with faith leaders and traditional justice leaders to improve gender equality and women rights and prevent GBV as well as cases of early and forced marriage and partner violence.

Unconditional cash grants will be provided as support for 80 female victims of GBV and 150 vulnerable persons such as elderly, disabled, sick and persons without family support.