The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has cut soap rations for refugees living at Yida and Ajuong Thok camps owing to logistical challenges and a recent influx of refugees that increased the number of people in need.
A refugee in Yida told Radio Tamazuj, “I have complained on behalf of refugees here in the camp this month that UNHCR has cut our soap ration from two soaps to one soap for a month.”
Separately, the UNHCR office in Juba confirmed the move in an emailed statement to Radio Tamazuj.
Rocco Nuri, UNHCR Public Information Officer explained, “UNHCR and partners have recently re-apportioned the quantity of soap for refugees in Yida and Ajuong Thok for two main reasons. First, the logistical challenges to dispatch relief supplies in an as remote location as Pariang County amidst ongoing conflict.”
“Secondly, the need for UNHCR to respond to a new influx from Sudan’s South Kordofan and therefore cater for the additional 15,000 refugees that have arrived in Unity State over the past six months.”
The UNHCR official noted that the population of Ajuong Thok has doubled from 14,000 to more than 30,000 since January 2015.
“It is in this context that UNHCR and partners were forced to reduce the quantity of soap from 500 gr per person per month to 250 gr per person per month starting from July – and therefore be able to equally serve a population of more than 100,000 people,” said Nuri.
He pointed out that the rationing will ensure that enough soap is available for the rest of the year. He said this decision was not easy and he understood the frustrations of refugees but he noted that the logistical situation was very challenging.
File photo: A trader listens to Radio Tamazuj in Yida refugee camp, October 2014