The Democratic Republic of Congo hosted over 54,755 South Sudanese refugees as of 31 December 2020, of whom 63% are children. The main hosting areas for South Sudanese refugees are in north-eastern DRC (Aru territory, Ituri Province; Faradje and Dungu territories in Haut-Uele Province).
UNHCR activities in Ituri and Haut-Uele provinces were mainly impacted by the resurgence of insecurity due to the inter-ethnic conflict in Djugu territory, and the continuity of armed conflicts in Irumu territory in Ituri and Dungu in Haut-Uele. In Ituri Province, these conflicts resulted in the displacement of populations to Aru territory (Kandoyi locality, not far from the Biringi site). The political situation in South Sudan has slightly improved. From January to December 2020, only 836 new asylum-seekers arrived from South Sudan to Haut-Uele and Ituri provinces. The asylum-seekers have been relocated from unsecured border to the settlements in Biringi and Bele.
The Coronavirus pandemic has disrupted planning and slowed down the implementation of activities with restrictions imposed in all areas: protection, basic needs, essential services, education, relocation of refugees, water, hygiene, sanitation, health, shelter, etc. Resources were reallocated to meet urgent needs of the pandemic response.
Also, the COVID-19 epidemic disrupted the health system in already fragile Health Zones. All the resources were oriented towards the prevention and response to COVID-19 in these areas, which resulted in the reduction of certain health services. Chronic diseases (HIV, high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, etc.) for example were impacted. This epidemic has also had a negative impact on maternal and child health.