Humanitarian actors are working to improve living conditions of South Sudanese refugees crossing into Uganda. 

A situation report from UN Refugee agency, UNHCR says as of the last week of September, the total number of South Sudanese refugees in Uganda stood at 392,630,with 163,540 arriving after July 01^st 2016.

UNHCR says additional boreholes are being drilled in Arua, while more than four thousand refugees have been relocated from Arua and Elegu to Bidibidi settlement in Yumbe, bringing the total refugee population in Yumbe to 93,109.  

Alex Yanga, a South Sudanese refugee in a settlement camp in Yumbe described the living conditions as ‘fair.’  “We have access to food, water and health services, he told the UN Radio. 

Alex and his family left Lainya County on foot on 08 September, and entered Uganda two days later. He said they feel safe, and out of harm’s way, adding that “the most important thing is that we do not hear any more gunshots.”

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According to UNHCR, 6,715 South Sudanese fled to Uganda on the 19th and 20th September alone, around 90% of whom crossed in to the country in Arua district.

The refugee agency notes that the refugees are increasingly using a number of informal border crossing points, particularly in Busia, Angili and Chakulia.

The agency says the refugees are reportedly using these new border crossing points to avoid confrontation with armed groups.

UNHCR says their priorities remain, relocating the refugees from collection points and transit and reception centres to Yumbe as well as providing effective services to refugees settled in Bidibidi settlement of Yumbe district. 

The partners are also increasing the number of health staff and means of transport for transferring refugees from border collection points to settlement areas.