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South Sudan UNHCR Operational Update 14/2017, 16 - 31 July 2017

Countries
South Sudan
Sources
UNHCR
Publication date
Origin
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373 Refugees and IDP benefited from basic livelihoods training across South Sudan during the reporting period.

16,612 Refugees and IDPs received aid items from UNHCR across South Sudan during the reporting period.

4,500 Persons reached with awareness on environment protection and tree planting via JamJang radio during the reporting period

KEY FIGURES

INSIDE SOUTH SUDAN 274,920 Refugees in South Sudan as of 30 June 2017.

2 million IDPs in South Sudan including 216,956 in UNMISS Protection of Civilian sites.

US $883.5 million Funding requested by UNHCR for the South Sudan Situation in 2017.

Update on Achievements

Operational Context

  • The Regional protection force sets to arrive soon in South Sudan: On 31 July the Special Representative of the Secretary General (SRSG) David Shearer confirmed that the long-awaited regional protection force (RPF) soon will arrive in South Sudan nearly a year after they were approved. The 4,000-strong force is meant to protect civilians from the gang rapes and other abuses seen during the fighting that erupted in the capital, Juba, a year ago. Its arrival has faced pushback from South Sudan’s government. It is hoped that the force will give the UN Mission in South Sudan the flexibility to extend its presence into areas beyond Juba where peacekeepers may be needed. The signing of the base agreement between South Sudan’s government and the U.N. comes shortly before U.N. peacekeeping chief Jean-Pierre Lacroix visits the country. Lacroix is expected to meet with government officials and advocate for a countrywide cease-fire.

  • SPLM factions agree to revitalize Arusha deal implementation: Sudan People’s Liberation Movement (SPLM) in the government and the Former Detainees have established a team to revitalize and operationalize the implementation of the 2015 SPLM Arusha Agreement. This was reached at a meeting of the three factions of the ruling party held on 27 July in Kampala brokered by Uganda President Yoweri Museveni. The three factions included SPLM in the government, Former Detainees and SPLM-IO loyal to the First Vice President, Taban Deng Gai. These factions have signed what they call Entebbe Declaration on the Operationalization of the Arusha Agreement on the Reunification of the SPLM. However, a representative of SPLM members loyal to Former First Vice President Riek Machar was not present. The 12-page Arusha agreement signed by SPLM factions including President Salva Kiir, Riek Machar, and Pagan Amum on 21 January 2015 lays out key steps towards the reunification of the historical party.

  • Troika, EU condemn the fighting in Pagak: On 21 July, the Troika (The US, UK and Norway) member countries and the European Union condemned the continuing violence in South Sudan including fighting between government forces and SPLA- In Opposition (IO) at the border area of Pagak, the headquarter of SPLA-IO. In a joint statement, Troika and the EU said that the Pagak fighting is a clear violation of the unilateral ceasefire declared by President Salva Kiir on May 22. The statement of Troika and EU also reiterated and endorsed the latest call by the leaders of the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD) for President Kiir to ensure that his forces respect the unilateral ceasefire, for the armed opposition groups to reciprocate the ceasefire, and for all groups to allow the unfettered delivery of humanitarian assistance to all those in need.