Sudanese refugees report fresh fears of insecurity after seeking sanctuary in Western Equatoria

WESTERN EQUATORIA - Bekia Mahadi Ali and her eight children literally ran for their lives when war erupted in Sudan.

They fled across the border into South Sudan and then made their way down to the country to Makpandu refugee camp in Yambio, Western Equatoria.

She expected to find safety here.

Instead, growing insecurity in the area has left her and thousands of other refugee families living in fear again.

“I fled with my children but without their father. They are my responsibility,” she explains. “We came here to find refuge but there is no security in the camp and we are afraid.”

The families report that armed individuals frequently enter the camp, firing weapons, intimidating families and looting or burning property.

“Sometimes we take our women and children to sleep in the bushes because there is no guarantee we’ll be safe in the camp itself,” says Omar Ibrahim, also a refugee from Sudan. “We fled from bullets but here we are also now facing bullets.”

Responding to a recent deadly attack in which a Sudanese refugee lost his life, the United Nations Mission in South Sudan conducted a patrol to assess security and work with local authorities, security forces, and refugee communities to strengthen protection of civilians, prevent further violence, and build confidence.

“It is our role to help restore confidence by engaging with the communities, local authorities, security services and others,” says UNMISS Protection, Transition and Reintegration Officer, Thomas Bazawi. “We are working with all stakeholders to try and strengthen security and restore confidence so that people can live their lives freely and safely.”

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By Denis Louro/Okot Emmanuel