South Sudan: Civil was has seen the world's youngest country take in 1.1 million refugees
Medina Abdullah, tailor and Sudanese refugee, at Wadweil Camp in South Sudan. 'The money I earn is not enough' to support her family. Picture: Eugene Ikol, Concern Worldwide
Around a refugee camp in South Sudan near the border with war-torn Sudan locals and refugees are working out how to live together, facing problems mirrored across the country.
South Sudan is the youngest country in the world at just 14 years since it seceded from Sudan after decades of war. Some two-thirds of the population live on less than $2.15 per person per day.
It has now taken in 1.1 million people since April 2023 after civil war broke out in Sudan. Refugees speak of arriving with nothing - money and possessions either stolen along the route, sold to pay for transport or abandoned.
Assistant commissioner for refugee affairs in Northern Bahr el Ghazal state, Nicodemus Nguet, said they opened Wedweil refugee settlement in 2023. “It is hosting 20,000 refugees coming from Sudan, Central Africa and other nationalities as asylum seekers,” he said, speaking in an office at the camp.
He added: “The state government has offered 1,500 hectares of land as a residence for refugees. So far the land they have occupied is 333 hectares.” He expects a capacity of 160,000 could be used.
The government partners with aid agencies including UNHCR in the camp, but he said: “The life is quite challenging”.
Agriculture is key, he said “so they can live independently” but funding is needed to improve clean water access. This is a problem for the local community also, with a cholera outbreak spreading.
Refugee pupils now attend three local primary schools. One principal later told the new supports have seen better conditions for all their pupils.
Adults are given training in work skills. Mechanic Mutasim Hameda Abaker, 34, repairs motorbikes and bicycles under a wattle shelter. “When I am doing this work, I feel happy,” he said as it helps his family.
He works near a large burned area, formerly a bustling market, including his original stall. January saw attacks on refugees nationally, following outrage at footage appearing to show Sudanese soldiers killing South Sudanese people there.
While Mutasim described the fire, which wiped out his tools, as “a misunderstanding” - and the governor visited the camp to reassure refugees.
Tailor and dressmaker Medina Abdullah, 25, is also supporting her extended family.
“Sometimes two or three (customers) come every day,” the former health sector worker said, adding: “The money I earn is not enough, it is very little because the need is too much.”
Commissioner Nguet said at Wedweil nobody was killed in the fire, but acknowledged deaths elsewhere.
“The good response is that the host community were able to join the refugees in defending them when the youth came from a far distance to target the settlement,” he said.
Aid agencies treat “many refugees” who need care for diabetes and conditions left untreated during the war, he also said. It is hoped to expand health services, he said “and see how this can also help at some point both the host community and the refugees.”
