South Sudan

The Sudan Refugee Crisis

In January, 2011, the southern portion of the country of Sudan voted for independence.  On February 7, 2011, the vote was certified as over 98% of the population voting for independence.  

On July 9, 2011, South Sudan became independent.  On July 14, 2011, the Republic of South Sudan joined the United Nations as the world's 193rd nation. 

 

History of South Sudan

South Sudan Timeline: 1955 - 1917

 

President Kiir is the leader of the Sudan People's Liberation Movement political party.  Vice-President Machar developed disagreements with the way President Kiir was running South Sudan,  He became the leader of the an opposition party:Sudan People's Liberation Movement-In Opposition.  President Kiir accused Vice-President Machar of attempting to start a revolution.  This led to civil war.

The African Union is attempting to end the civil war and aid in the refugee crisis.

Vision: "An integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa driven by its own citizens and representing a dynamic force in the global arena."

Goals: Achieving unity, aiding in independence, international cooperation, peace, etc. 

The United Nations Mission In South Sudan was formed to aid in ending the civil war and maintaining peace in the country.

Formed a Mandate to Establish Peace

Created the Interim Cooperation Framework (ICF)

Accepted applicants for jobs for the peace force: 

• Initially authorized: 7,000 military personnel, 900 police personnel
• Currently authorized: 17,000 military personnel, 2,101 police personnel, 78 corrections officers. 

 

Refugee Crisis as a Result of the Civil War

Factors Leading to the Crisis

Political conflict

Economic crisis

Severe drought

Violence
Food shortages

Refugees are: everyday villagers (parents and children) and anyone physically-able to escape.

The United Nations Refugee Agency is providing aid to refugees.

Internally-Displaced Persons and Refugees

 

Eva's Story

Samuel's Story

Uganda: the main country to where refugees flee

South Sudanese refugees are finding refuge in neighboring Uganda, which has open borders to refugees. 

-Uganda is hosting more than 1 million refugees 

- 82 percent are women and children.

-Another 275,000 refugees have fled to South Sudan

-in many cases, children are traveling alone

-More than two million additional people have been forced to flee their homes but still remain inside the country. 

Mercy Corps: Quick Facts on the Refugee Crisis

Tabu Sunday's Story

  

Bidi Bidi Refugee Camp in Uganda:

The World's Largest Refugee Camp

 

Women in Refugee Camps

South Sudan Refugees & the US

Refugees from throughout the World admitted to US

The United States admits very few Refugees from South Sudan



Reactions to Refugees in the US

 

Adapting to Life in the United States

The Kansas City area has about 2000 Refugees from South Sudan

"Of the more than 20,000 refugees who have fled to the United States from South Sudan, about 2,000 have resettled in Kansas City.  Most are women and children."

 

Finding work in Kansas City


The Nuer from South Sudan in Omaha, NE

"Through informal cell phone networking, the Nuer converged on Nebraska.  Cheap housing attracted them--and openings in the meatpacking industry, that mainstay of immigrant labor.  In man Nuer families, both spouses work two shifts...So many resettled in the state that is now has the world's largest population of Nuer outside South Sudan."

 

South Sudanese and Basketball in Nebraska

 Buey Ray Tut: 
A South Sudanese Refugee in Nebraska
Who is Making the World a Better Place 

Aqua Africa