ReliefWeb

Background and Methodology

DTM relies on its network of key informants and on secondary sources to provide a weekly assessment of mobility and COVID-19 preparedness at priority locations in South Sudan. The updates are released each Monday morning based on information collected Monday–Saturday of the previous week.

If you wish to share any updates or flag any errors, please contact DTM at southsudanDTM@iom.int.

Overview

On 25 March 2020, movement restrictions have been put in place by South Sudanese (SSD) Government and its neighbours. Some border points like Renk and Kaya are reported to be near completely blocked, whilst refugees have been allowed back into SSD through places like Nimule (neighbouring Uganda [UGA]), Pagak (Ethiopia [ETH]) and Jekow (ETH). Cargo has also been largely allowed to enter South Sudan with a maximum of three passengers in trucks.

It has proven difficult to enforce quarantine as highlighted by reports of over 500 South Sudan nationals breaking out of quarantine in a Renk secondary school after arriving from Sudan (27 March 2020) or of two South Sudan nationals in Elegu, Uganda who are now being prosecuted for leaving quarantine (21 March 2020) and attempting to re-enter South Sudan through Nimule.

Key insights on countries bordering South Sudan

• SUDAN: Both Governments have closed borders with few exceptions. Migration through Renk has come to a near complete halt while South Sudan (SSD) nationals were still able to travel back into the country through Abyei. This is not expected to last. Authorities on both sides seem to have difficulties enforcing movement restrictions through this porous border with many cross-border communities.

• ETHIOPIA: On 20 March 2020, the government of Ethiopia suspended international flights to 30 countries. Regulations seem to be effective at official border crossing points where only SSD refugees in ETH are allowed to return. However, some movement is still ongoing along the green border/unofficial border crossing points.

• UGANDA: Authorities closed the border on 22 March 2020, allowing only for the continuation of cargo traffic to SSD. Cargo planes will be exempted. Uganda has announced a total ban on new asylum seekers and refugees entering the country, which will be in place for least 30 days as of 25 March 2020. The last reported movement of people was a group of up to 1,000 SSD nationals who were granted special permission to cross back to their home country on the evening of 23 March 2020.

• DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO: After more than 50 positive cases and four confirmed deaths, DRC’s government called for a state of emergency, closed all the borders and limited internal travel (in/out of Kinshasa). This did not affect cargo transport, which is still ongoing between the two countries.

• CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC: According to WHO, there are 6 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and one person deceased due to infection as of 28 March 2020. Border points with the Central African Republic have been shut from the SSD side.

• KENYA: Kenya began curfew on 27 March, 7pm-5am, to contain the spread of the COVID-19. Kenya suspended all international flights from Wednesday 25 March 2020. Land-border access is restricted but not completely locked.