Taking refuge in a violence-ridden country

Three years ago, after fleeing rebel activities in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), hundreds of Congolese – men, women and children – settled in Panyume Camp, Morobo County. They do casual work whenever possible and cultivate their own food.

We are given some plots to cultivate and in those plots we have constructed houses.

The Camp Secretary Azabo Emmanuel says he is happy about the generosity he and 450 other refugees get from the host community, while waiting for normalcy to return at home. Life is going well in their new home, Azabo says. “We are given some plots to cultivate and in those plots we have constructed houses.”

South Sudan’s Morobo County borders both, Uganda and DRC. Of recent, spontaneous attacks by unknown gunmen – some believe coming from DRC – have caused havoc in the area. Despite insecurity and only irregular support by humanitarian organisations, Azabo says they shall stay.

According to the UN Refugee Agency’s (UNHCR) Protection Officer Brenda Scolansi, UNCHR is over-stretched in terms of resources. Providing the needed aid to the DRC refugees is increasingly difficult, she says. But, she adds, “we have no plans to quit providing aid” in view of the current insecurity.

The increasing number of attacks in the area has claimed many lives and both, members of the host community and refugees, have lost property. The gunmen are as well believed to be responsible for an attack on a military facility at the Morobo County Headquarters, stealing over 40 guns and ammunition.

Scolansi further says in view of the global and resource intensive refugee crisis, providing assistance to the refugees in Panyume Camp, is not easy. Disappointed about these constraints, she says a “self-sufficiency approach” would be perfect solution.

Meanwhile, the Deputy Director of Panyume village, Remo Samuel, is concerned about people’s safety in his area, and the safety of the Congolese refugees in particular. He says crowds are easy targets for rebels and they could face an attack anytime. “The current security status of the county raises doubts over whether the refugees can continue to stay in the camp or not,” he says.

Samuel believes if the attacks cease, the refugees and the host community will be able to live peacefully together – unlike in other areas, where hostilities have erupted between refugees and host communities. Panyume has not seen any major conflicts arising between the two groups.