EU Delegation Visits Oraba and Salia Musala Border Posts Amid Growing Refugee Influx from South Sudan

An 11-member delegation from the European Union, accompanied by officials from Uganda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), visited the Oraba and Salia Musala border posts in Koboko District today to assess the humanitarian situation at the border. The visit highlighted the growing refugee crisis in the region, with significant numbers of new arrivals from South Sudan.

At the Keri Reception Centre in Koboko, humanitarian workers reported the registration of 16 new refugees from South Sudan as of today. Solomon Osakan, the West Nile Refugee Desk Officer, provided further insight into the situation, revealing that over 5,000 new refugees have been registered in the past three months across various reception centers. 

The newly registered refugees have been relocated to the Imvepi, Ocea, and Rhino Camp refugee settlements in Uganda, which are working to accommodate the rising numbers.

The influx of refugees is being attributed to ongoing tensions in South Sudan, which continue to drive civilians across borders in search of safety and stability. The EU delegation's visit aims to bolster international awareness and coordination of relief efforts in response to the growing humanitarian crisis in the region.

The European Union has long been a key player in supporting Uganda’s efforts to host refugees, providing funding and resources to ensure the provision of essential services like food, shelter, and healthcare in the refugee settlements. As the situation evolves, humanitarian organizations are calling for continued international support to manage the increasing number of displaced individuals seeking refuge in Uganda and other neighboring countries.