Sumy Sadurni
Kampala (Uganda), Spanish
Edition 2017 - Finalist
Statement: The average journey through the bush takes around seven days by foot, usually with little water and no food. Escaping what is now an ethnic war, almost 400,00 South Sudanese refugees have crossed the border into Uganda since July searching for peace and continue to do so. Here, refugee settlements are overcrowded and the lack of funding and resources continues to be a massive struggle for all NGOs. there are different stories but the same desperation which is not only coming from refugees, but from NGO workers themselves who feel the weight of financial restraints. From my personal perspective, I feel this ethnic conflict could become another Rwanda and will only be paid attention to when it’s too late. Over 2,700 children have crossed these borders unaccompanied and/or orphaned, and many families have been separated while escaping. The South Sudanese crisis is rapidly becoming one of the worst humanitarian crisis currently happening in the world. I have tried to capture victims with dignity, rather than focus on what is now called “poverty porn” and feel that black and white has helped achieve this more. Since July, I have done many trips to different parts of Northern Uganda and visited many borders, refugee settlements, and reception centres scattered across this vast region. From my personal perspective, I feel this ethnic conflict could become another Rwanda and will only be paid attention to when it’s too late.
A South Sudanese refugee woman in Nyumanzie transit centre shows off traditional dance. More than 80% of the refugee population in Uganda are women and children.
A group of refugees seek shelter from the sun at Nyumanzie transit centre. The war in South Sudan is forcing thousands of people out of the country into neighbouring Uganda, DRC and Kenya. Due to Uganda’s lenient refugee policy, many choose to travel here and settle indefinitely.
Dinka people have scarification on their faces as a tribal feature. However, due to the ethnic war between mostly Kakwa and Dinka people, they now say that these same scars can make them easy targets.
Children are medically screened at Kuluba reception centre on the border of South Sudan and Uganda before being taken to refugee settlements.
A young girl cries after medical inspection in Kulaba reception centre, where new arrivals are vaccinated against diseases.Women and children make up more than 80% of people arriving from South Sudan.
South Sudanese refugees coming into Uganda from Oraba border town are mostly coming from Yei and Lainya towns and speak of ethnic killings.
More than 300,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled from the country’s civil war into Uganda since fighting broke out in July. They mostly travel by foot for days through the bush as roads have been blocked or are too dangerous to cross. The massive influx of refugees has caused a strain in humanitarian aid due to large numbers and lack of funding. BidiBidi settlement is now the third largest in the world and holds more than 210,000 people since its opening in September.
There is a large number of orpahned children that have travelled through the bush alone due to losing their families to war or while fleeing. Save The Children has set up programmes to care for these children and find them foster families.
The water pump at the new reception centre in BidiBidi settlements. There are currently plans to build a pipeline sourced from the Nile river in order to provide water.
After registration at BidiBidi settlement, each refugee family is allocated a plot of land. Due to the massive number of refugees that continue to come into Uganda, humanitarian organisations have had to open more camps around Yumbe region. This is causing tensions between host communites and refugees.
More than 300,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled from the country’s civil war into Uganda since fighting broke out in July last year. They mostly travel by foot for days through the bush as roads have been blocked or are too dangerous to cross. The massive influx of refugees has caused a strain in humanitarian aid due to large numbers and lack of funding. BidiBidi settlement is now the third largest in the world and holds more than 210,000 people since its opening in September.
Environmental issues also arise with the arrival of more refugees, as bush land is cleared. Currently programmes are working with refugees to replant trees.
The malnutrition ward at BidiBidi provides aid to new arrivals, who have been travelling by foot for days. Many have been shot at while escaping the violence.
More than 300,000 South Sudanese refugees have fled from the country’s civil war into Uganda since fighting broke out in July. They mostly travel by foot for days through the bush as roads have been blocked or are too dangerous to cross. The massive influx of refugees has caused a strain in humanitarian aid due to large numbers and lack of funding. BidiBidi settlement is now the third largest in the world and holds more than 210,000 people since its opening in September.
