UNHCR voices serious concern over disturbances in White Nile State refugee camp

11:32 PM August, 07 2017

Sudanese Online
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KHARTOUM, SUDAN- 06 August 2017 (UNHCR): UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has raised its serious concerns over disturbances on Tuesday, August 1, in Sudan’s Al Waral refugee camp, located in White Nile State. The incident left the camp’s administrative area burnt down, looting of warehouses, and other reported acts of violence.
Al Waral camp currently hosts over 50,000 South Sudanese refugees.
The incident reportedly started with rumours that a refugee youth had died in police custody. An investigation is currently underway by Sudanese authorities to identify those responsible.
‘‘UNHCR appeals for calm. Refugees, like everyone else, are subject to obey the law. The use of violence can never be condoned,’’ said UNHCR’s Representative in Sudan, Noriko Yoshida, after witnessing the damages in the camp with Sudan’s State Minister of Interior and the Commissioner for Refugees on Friday. ‘‘We extend our deepest sympathies to innocent victims caught up in the disturbance and their families.’’
UNHCR called on refugees in Al Waral camp to ensure that they only resort to appropriate and legal channels to express their concerns.
“South Sudanese refugees are themselves victims of conflicts, and violence, seeking safety in Sudan,’’ added UNHCR Yoshida. She expressed gratitude to the Sudanese Government for helping to restore order and calm in the camp.
UNHCR regretted the unfortunate incident as refugees and host communities have lived together harmoniously. The UN Refugee Agency is supporting Sudan in exercising its primary responsibility for refugee protection. “Together we are discussing measures to help ensure a safe and peaceful environment for everyone, and in order to avoid similar incidents in the future,” Yoshida said.
Sudan has a long and generous history of hosting a large number of refugees from the region. Some 416,000 South Sudanese refugees have arrived in Sudan since December 2013 with 165,000 being hosted in 8 refugee camps and host communities in White Nile State.

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For further information, please contact:
Mohamed Elfatih Elnaiem, Assistant PI and Communication Officer, UNHCR Sudan, +249 -183 493 664. Email: [email protected]

About UNHCR :
UNHCR is the world's largest refugee agency with a mandate to protect and assist refugees. We are now witnessing the highest levels of displacement on record. An unprecedented 65.3 million people around the world have been forced from home. Among them are nearly 21.3 million refugees, over half of whom are under the age of 18. There are also 10 million stateless people who have been denied a nationality and access to basic rights such as education, healthcare, employment and freedom of movement. In a world where nearly 34,000 people are forcibly displaced every day as a result of conflict or persecution, UNHCR’s work is as vital as ever before. For more information about UNHCR and its work visit: www.unhcr.org. You can also follow news on refugees and UNHCR on Twitter @RefugeesMedia. (https://www.facebook.com/UNHCRhttps://www.facebook.com/UNHCR