Busia bridge between South Sudan and Uganda. Very popular umbilical cord used by refugees fleeing the fights in their country. To find refuge in Uganda, they use several crossing points along the border including Busia, a small wooden bridge that spans the Kaya River. Refugees cross early in the morning and once reassured, they return for their luggages hidden near the border on the other side.
Busia. A young boy crosses the small wooden bridge over Kaya river, separating South Sudan and Uganda at an unofficial border crossing known as Busia. He pulls a wheel suitcase whit some family personal belongings.
A trickle of a stream divides the two countries and there are small bridges or fallen trees every couple of kilometers, but this point is a real umbilical cord between the 2 sides, often crossed by the refugees. They usually cross early in the morning to see if everything is fine. Then they send some of them back to South Sudan, few hundred meters away from the border to collect the luggages that they have hidden next to the « river », on the other side.
Meeting point near the Busia border entry point. Refugees board in a minibus that will take them to the Goboro transit center, where their refugee status will be screened, first aid provided, food and clean water available. As soon as possible, they will be driven to Imvepi, a reception center, 2 hours from there.
In the Goboro transit center, refugees help one of them to load a moped in a truck that will transport their luggage to the Imvepi reception center. Some manage to flee with minimal planning so that they do not arrive in Uganda totally destitute. From different points of entry along the border between South Sudan and Uganda, the refugees are gathered in transit centers where they are welcomed, fed and as quickly as possible taken by bus to the Imvepi reception two hours drive away.
Goboro Transit camp - Some families, mainly women and children, get down of a bus, which have collected them next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different entry points among the border between South Sudan and Uganda, the refugees are gathered in small transit camp, like this one, where they are offered some food, water and where they are quickly medic screened. Then they are sent as fast as possible to the main reception center of Imvepi, two hours drive from there.
Goboro transit camp - Families, mainly women and children, who have traveled by minibus that transported them from the border between South Sudan and Uganda, head to the tents where they will be officially registered for the first time. From different points of entry on the border between South Sudan and Uganda, the refugees are gathered in a small transit camp, like this one, where they are offered food, water and where they are quickly treated. Then they are sent as quickly as possible to the main reception center of Imvepi, a two- hour drive away.
Goboro Transit camp - Some families, mainly women and children, get down of a truck with the few belongings that they could bring along, from South Sudan. They have been collected next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different entry points among the border between South Sudan and Uganda, the refugees are gathered in small transit camp, like this one, where they are offered some food, water and where they are quickly medic screened. Then they are sent as fast as possible to the main reception center of Imvepi, two hours drive from there.
Goboro Transit camp - A mother holding her baby, stands next to the water taps in Goboro transit camp, looking around if there is no one that she knows. She has just arrived in Goboro. Around her, others refugees sit, eat and drink. They all have been collected next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different entry points among the border between South Sudan and Uganda, the refugees are gathered in small transit camp, like this one, where they are offered some food, water and where they are quickly medic screened. Then they are sent as fast as possible to the main reception center of Imvepi, two hours drive from there.
In the Goboro transit camp refugee children are recovering from the journey that brought them to Uganda from Southern Sudan. They were taken in charge from near the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different points of entry, the refugees are gathered in a small transit camp, like this one, where they are offered food, water and where they are quickly cared for. Then they are sent as quickly as possible to the main reception center of Imvepi, a two- hour drive away.
In a transit camp, a mother and her child wait before being taken on a bus that will take them to the Imvepi reception center, a two-hour drive away. She wears a numbered plastic bracelet (yellow for an isolated parent, white for an unaccompanied minor). From different points of entry along the southern Sudanese border, refugees are transported to small transit camps where they are welcomed, fed and identified.
In a transit camp, a group of refugees are quickly registered, interviewed and the families identified and regrouped before being taken on a bus that will take them to the Imvepi reception center, a two-hour drive away. From different points of entry along the southern Sudanese border, refugees are transported to small transit camps where they are welcomed, fed and identified.
In the Goboro transit camp, refugees are recovering from the journey to Uganda from southern Sudan and wait to be transported to Imvepi's main reception center, a two-hour drive away. . They were taken in charge next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different points of entry, refugees are gathered in small transit camps, like this one, where they are offered food, water and where they can go. are quickly cared for.
In a transit camp, refugees wait before being called to be transported to Imvepi's main reception center, a two-hour drive away. They were taken in charge from next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different points of entry, refugees are gathered in small transit camps, such as this one, where they are offered food, water and where they are quickly treated.
Refugee families, mainly women and children, are sitting in the back of a truck that will take them to the Imvepi reception center, a two- hour drive away. Arriving most of the time on foot to northern Uganda, refugees are transported by truck and coach to transit centers scattered near the border. They retrieve their luggage, searched to prevent weapons from being introduced into Uganda. Once welcomed, fed, they will be as quickly as possible driven by bus to Imvepi.
In a transit camp refugees line up to be counted. They will then be transported to Imvepi's main reception center, a two-hour drive away. They were pick up next to the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different points of entry, refugees are gathered in small transit camps, such as this one, where they are offered food, water and where they are quickly treated .
In a transit camp, refugees are queuing to climb in a minibus that will transport them to the main reception center in Imvepi, a two-hour drive away. They were pick up from the border between South Sudan and Uganda. From different points of entry, refugees are gathered in small transit camps, such as this one, where they are offered food, water and where they are quickly treated .
Meeting point near the Busia border entry point. An official from the Ugandan Prime Minister's office controls the entrance of the minibus that will drive refugees to the Goboro transit center, where their refugee status will be monitored, first aid, food and clean water provided to them. As soon as possible, they will then be taken to the Imvepi reception center, 2 hours away from there.
Keroua Entry point - Under a copse, some family are sitting with perseverance, waiting in a silent protest. They have been identified by Office of Prime Minister (OPM) staff as Ugandans, consequently not refugees, so they can’t claim any aid, food or support devoted to refugees. A citizen cannot be a refugee in his own country... They contest the decision, claiming that they really are South Sudanese. To screen and identify the citizenship of the people reaching the transit centers, the OPM people cross different clues like the scar done by vaccination on children arms (in South Sudan, they are different from the one done in Uganda) and the name of the location given by refugees and specially children during conversation done separately.
In the Imvepi reception center, a bus filled with refugees has just arrived from a transit camp near the border.
Imvepi, Center of reception. Some refuges get down of a bus which has taken them from one of the transit center close to the South Sudanese border. They carry the few belongings that they have manage to carry from South Sudan.
Reception center of Imvepi. The first contact of the refugees with their new life is the great tent of Médecins Sans Frontières where, in particular, the children are systematically vaccinated.
Reception center of Imvepi. The first contact of the refugees with their new life is the large tent of Médecins Sans Frontières where, in particular, the children are systematically vaccinated and where signs of malnutrition may be detected.
Reception center of Imvepi. The first contact of the refugees with their new life is the large tent of Médecins Sans Frontières where, in particular, the children are systematically vaccinated and where signs of malnutrition may be detected.
Reception center of Imvepi. The first contact of the refugees with their new life is the large tent of Médecins Sans Frontières where, in particular, the children are systematically vaccinated and where signs of malnutrition may be detected.
A refugee family is registered and its nomenclature clearly established, in Imvepi reception center. From its profile depends on the size of the plot of land allocated, as well as the food rations distributed. Traditionally, as a sign of respect, children and women kneel.
Officials from the Ugandan Prime Minister's Office consult the families' profiles to give them the appropriate piece of land (depending on the size of the family) where they will settle in the Bidibidi camp.
Imvepi reception center. Refugees retrieve their luggage from a truck coming from the transit camp where they passed after crossing the border. For their part, they traveled by minibus.
Imvepi. Reception Center. Refugees go to communal tents where they will spend a night in the best case, before being taken to the plots of land allocated to their families. Water points have been installed for laundry, water collection, toilet.
Imvepi. Reception center where the refugees will spend the first night in the best case, before being taken to the plots of land allocated to their family. It's the end of the afternoon, children come to drink at one of the water points installed, while women do laundry, collect water for the toddlers.
Imvepi, center of reception - Some refugees chat next to one of the water distribution point (several taps). They have reach Imvepi reception center in different buses, sometimes entering Ugandan using in different informal entry point. They try to get news from their village, town back home. For the luckiest, they will spent one night in the center, before being driven to an allocated plot in Bidibidi settlement zone. In the reception center, they will get non-food items (jerrican, mat, bucket, mosquito net, canvas...) some cooked food from a collective kitchen and access to health and drinkable water. They also have to get registered to get a plot for their family.
Imvepi Reception Center - Refugees are waiting for the call of their name to board on trucks with their families. These trucks will drop them in an Imvepi area where an official from the Prime Minister's Office will allocate them a piece of land where they can settle.
Imvepi reception Center - In the morning, a crowd of refugees gathered around a tree, where two men have climbed. These men call the names of refugee families, using a list based on the registration made by the head of families in the days before, and established by Office of Prime Minister (OPM) staff. When their name is called, the refugee can climb in a truck and load their belongings in a luggage truck. They will then be driven to an allocated plot, somewhere in Bidibidi where a new life is supposed to start.
Imvepi reception Center - In the morning, a crowd of refugees gathered around a tree, where two men have climbed. These men call the names of refugee families, using a list based on the registration made by the head of families in the days before, and established by Office of Prime Minister (OPM) staff. When their name is called, the refugee can climb in a truck and load their belongings in a luggage truck. They will then be driven to an allocated plot, somewhere in Bidibidi where a new life is supposed to start.
Imvepi reception center - Refugee families board on trucks that will drop them with their belongings at spots in the Bidibidi camp, where an official from the Prime Minister's Office will allocate a piece of land for them to settle.
Imvepi reception center - Refugee families board on trucks that will drop them with their belongings at spots in the Bidibidi camp, where an official from the Prime Minister's Office will allocate a piece of land for them to settle.
Imvepi reception center - Refugee families board on trucks that will drop them with their belongings at spots in the Bidibidi camp, where an official from the Prime Minister's Office will allocate a piece of land for them to settle.
Imvepi reception center - Refugee families board on trucks that will drop them with their belongings at spots in the Bidibidi camp, where an official from the Prime Minister's Office will allocate a piece of land for them to settle.
Bidibidi settlement area. An official of the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) leads the heads of refugee families to the plot of land allocated to them in a wooded and stony area.
Bidibidi settlement area. Families were dropped by trucks along the road, with their belongings, near the area where the plots allocated to their families are located. A family sets out for her plot, carrying the baggage on heads. The start of a new life. South Sudanese refugees are settling on land lent by Ugandan peasants. Upon arrival, they receive a blanket, soap, a blue plastic mat and a can. The essential jerrican is used to collect water from large tanks, which are supplied twice daily by tanker trucks. The quality of water, made safe by the addition of chlorine, is monitored twice a day by NGO-trained refugees.
Bidibidi settlement area. A refugee sits on a rock located on the plot of land allocated to him. He was dropped off with other families by trucks along the road, with his belongings nearby. South Sudanese refugees are on land lent by Ugandan peasants. Upon arrival, they receive a blanket, soap, a blue plastic mat and a can. The essential jerrican is used to collect water from large tanks, which are supplied twice daily by tanker trucks. The quality of water, made safe by the addition of chlorine, is monitored twice a day by NGO-trained refugees.
Bidibidi settlement area. A refugee, his child on his back, tries to identify the limits of the plot of land that has just been allocated to her, and vaguely pointed by an official of the Prime Minister's office, already gone. She was dropped with her personal belongings with other families along the nearby road. South Sudanese refugees settle on land lent by Ugandan peasants.
Bidibidi settlement area. Refugees take the food rations attributed to a group of several families donated by the World Food Program which distributes bags of flour, maize and cassava each month. They take the bags then sit in a corner to divide between the different families according to their size. Families have just been dropped off with their belongings by trucks along the nearby road. South Sudanese refugees settle on land lent by Ugandan peasants. Upon arrival, they receive a blanket, soap, a blue plastic mat and a can. The essential jerrican is used to collect water from large tanks, which are supplied twice daily by tanker trucks. The quality of water, made safe by the addition of chlorine, is monitored twice a day by NGO- trained refugees.
Bidibidi settlement area. Refugees take food rations attributed to a group of families and donated by the World Food Program which distributes bags of flour, maize and cassava each month. Sitting in a corner, this group of men, some of whom are single, calculates the portions to be distributed between the different "families" according to their size. They have just been dropped off with their belongings by trucks along the nearby road. South Sudanese refugees settle on land lent by Ugandan peasants.
Bidibidi settlement area. Refugees has taken the food rations attributed to a group of families donated by the World Food Program which distributes bags of flour, maize and cassava each month. Located in a corner, a group of women divide the portions between the different "families" according to their size. They have just been dropped with their belongings by trucks along the nearby road. The South Sudanese refugees settled on land lent by Ugandan peasants.
Somewhere in Bidibidi. A male refugee, head of a family tries to locate the boundary stones or trees that marked the family plot that he has been allocated. An Office of Prime Minister staff has vaguely pointed them before going on with other families. The plot is supposed to measure 30mx30m. Later, at some point, a cultivation plot of 50m square is supposed to be given to each family.... As it may be delayed, often , the refugee try to use a tiny part of the family plot to plant. The present location is underwood, with a soil covered with stones. The refugees complained that the land is too poor and rocky to live or to plant.
Somewhere in Bidibidi settlement zone, during late afternoon 15 minutes drive from Imvepi reception center, a young South Sudanese refugee girl lights the first fire, to cook the first meal of her family on the family plot. They all have been dropped off with their few belongings in a rocky wooded zone. She hurries. The night will soon come. The first night will be spend in a makeshift tent.
A gust of wind crosses Bidibidi camp zone #2, announcing an heavy downpour. A young South Sudanese refugee goes back home before the rain. She carries a bucket of milled sorghum, that she milled in a shop nearby, owned by an Uganda business man but run by a young South Sudanese. In zone #2, the refugees are settled for months. The zone looks more like a village than like a camp.
Waiting room of the outpatient department of a Médecins Sans Frontières health center in the Bidibidi settlement area.
The mother of a child patient snuffes him while a nurse waits in the outpatient department of a Médecins Sans Frontières health center in the Bidibidi settlement area.
Outpatient clinic in the MSF health center in Bidibidi. A young boy had a discomfort at the nearby school. It was brought trembling. Malaria is suspected. Someone has been sentto look for the mother.
Outpatient clinic in the MSF health center in Bidibidi. A girl tried to intervene during a fight between two people. She had a cut in her head.
Bidibidi, MSF Health Center, maternity ward. A pregnant patient suffering from malaria, whose term is scheduled in 23 weeks is resting.
In the Bidibidi settlement area, at the maternity ward of an NGO's health center, Scovia KARABA has just given birth. At 28, arrived 7 months earlier, she gives birth to her 4th child.
In the settlement area of Bidibidi, at the maternity ward of an NGO's Health Center, the fourth child of Scovia KARABA who has just been born a few minutes earlier. At 28, her mother arrived 7 months earlier, gave birth to his 4th child.
Nema DAWA, 29 years old and her 4 children, at her home. She has just received the news that her husband is still alive. She's worried. The food rations are barely enough to feed her 4 children and herself. an extra mouth, especially that of a man is it likely to starve her children? She will understand later that an extra mouth involves an extra ration.
Marie KIDEN 60 years, at home, praying with a triple cross she made with palms.
Joyce Konga, 55 ans
On Palm Sunday, a procession walks through some areas of the Bidibidi settlement area. It will end under a large tent that serves as a church to the many South Sudanese Catholics, durant a service with the delicate sound of traditional harps.
In the settlement area of Bidibidi, a Catholic religious service in the Church, a large tent. That day, the service began with the procession of palms. Father Lutor Francis, 58, officiates. The only things he could bring back from South Sudan are his Bible and his red prayer book.
On Palm Sunday, after a procession through areas of the Bidibidi settlement area, a religious service is held under a large tent that serves as a church for many South Sudanese Catholics.
The Anglican church of Bidibidi South Sudan refugees settlement zone: an open space in the camp where wooden benches have been made with trunks. Ahead of the space, stands a tree. On one side of the tree, a cross has been engrave in the bark.
Celina Pundori, 86 years old, blind South Sudanese refugee in her room in Bidibidi. She is a living memory of contemporary History of South Sudan. She saw colonial times, independence, the wars against the North and southern civil war.
Last praying ceremony for Lucia TOKOSANG, born on 10 July 1951. She died of heart failure after having gotten malaria. The ceremony is held in Lucia's family concession and is presided by the Reverend Jephania Fongale Ezibon, the Anglican pastor of Bidibidi (priest since 1978), a south Sudan refugee. The relatives gather under the shade of a canvas to listen to tribute to the deceased.
Religious service of Born Again, a Protestant American evangelical current, well established in East Africa and South Sudan, thanks to the action and the proselytism of American missionaries.
Religious service of Born Again, a Protestant American evangelical current, well established in East Africa and South Sudan, thanks to the action and the proselytism of American missionaries.
The Anglican church of Bidibidi South Sudan refugees settlement zone#2: an open space in the camp where wooden benches have been made with trunks. Ahead of the space, stands a tree. On one side of the tree, a cross has been engrave in the bark.
Under a tree, every Wednesday, late afternoon, it is Bible reading session for the youth of Anglican community, all South Sudanese refugees. Some parishioners lead the session.
Last praying ceremony for Lucia TOKOSANG, born on 10 July 1951. She died of heart failure after having gotten malaria. The ceremony is held in Luci's family concession and is presided by the Reverend Jephania Fongale Ezibon, the Anglican pastor of Bidibidi (priest since 1978), a south Sudan refugee. The relatives gather under the shade of a canvas to listen to tribute to the deceased.
A gust of wind crosses Bidibidi camp zone #2, announcing an heavy downpour. South Sudanese refugee children run back home before the rain.
In the background, the 4 water tankers installed by MSF, an NGO to feed taps few tenths meters away. Three times a day, tank-trucks come to fill to black tankers.
The main water distribution point built by an NGO (MSF) in Bidibidi camp, zone #2. South Sudanese refugees hurry to fill their jerricans. The wind rises, dark clouds accumulate on the horizon. It is already raining in the bush, close to the camp. A heavy downpour is expected to break soon on Bidibidi. A rainbow enlightens the sky. The water point is fed by 4 big tankers installed in the air, few hundred meters away and filled three times a day by tanker lorry.
Early morning in Bidibidi camp, zone 2. Next to each other, Simon LOTEO, a South Sudanese refugee and Peter LUPLAI a young refugee farm. While Peter farms a part of his 30 x 30 meters family plots that any family of refugees get to start a new life, Simon, by registering separately from his wife managed to get two family plots, next to each other. He set his family on one, using the other to farm... Neither the family of Simon or Peter's got yet the promised farming plot of 50x50 meters. The rain season is starting. They can't miss the change to supplement the food to feed their relatives.
James JOSEPH, a married 33 years old mechanic, South Sudanese refugee, living in Bidibidi camp, zone #2, with his 1 year and 4 monts old boy (Gabriel Joseph sleeping behind him on the bed). James has been burnt by petrol on fire while he was fixing the car of a refugee, along the road, few tenths meters from his tent. The tank of the car had been empty in a bassin hold by the client. The wire of the battery that has been removed made contact, sparking. The petrol catch fire. The client afraid release the bassin and drop the burning contain accidentally on James. It was on 13th January 2016.
He was referred to Arua Hospital, a big city 2 hours drive away. He spent 1 months and 5 days there. MSF NGO took him, paying for medication. The owner of the car assists him all along ...
Now he suffers, can't work. "Even the sun through my clothes burns me."
During the day, he shelters in the shade of his makeshift house, waiting for darkness to go out.
John MAWA is perched on a long tent to adjust the dish of DS TV, a cheaper Sudanese satellite bouquet provider than the ones available in Uganda (115$ a year to get Al Jazeera, BeIn Sports, ...).
Morris LOGULOMO, sitting on a plastic chair, watches the TV set to monitor the progress.
Morris is the owner of the video equipment. When fleeing South Sudan, he brought them with him to set a "Cinema" hall in the South Sudanese refugees camp. The audience can watch football matches (European Cup of English Premiere League - 500 Ug shillings = 0,13 euros) or movies (100 to 200 Ugandan shillings= 0,03 to 0,06 euros). Morris was doing the same business in Sudan. He is in a hurry as on the evening there is an important football match.
English course at a primary school in the Bidibidi settlement area. It was built fifteen years ago during the previous exodus, during the war of independence. The current director, Oliver Lomindet, 40, is upset to find the institution where he was then a teacher. As if the war never ended. He fled his country again in February 2017, as did the school's 2,277 students and volunteer teachers. The lack of chairs allows up to 100 children to be crammed into the remaining classes.
A schoolgirl fainted. She rests in a small room in a primary school in the Bidibidi settlement area, attended by comrades. This school was built fifteen years ago during the previous exodus, during the war of independence. The current director, Oliver Lomindet, 40, is upset to find the institution where he was then a teacher. As if the war never ended. He fled his country again in February 2017, as did the school's 2,277 students and volunteer teachers.
Class in a class without ceiling in a primary school in the settlement area of Bidibidi, built fifteen years ago during the previous exodus, during the war of independence. The current director, Oliver Lomindet, 40, is upset to find the institution where he was then a teacher. As if the war never ended.
Schoolchildren follow the course in the shade of a tree, sitting on bricks. No table? Anyway, few have notebook or pencil in this primary school of the Bidibidi settlement area built fifteen years ago during the previous exodus, during the war of independence. The current director, Oliver Lomindet, 40, is upset to find the institution where he was then a teacher. As if the war never ended. He fled his country again in February 2017, as did the school's 2,277 students and volunteer teachers.
Koro Highland Primary school one out of the 30 primary school existing in Bidibidi settlements.
This is a day of examination. Young pupils fill their examination sheets, while some younger one watch upon from outside, leaning on the window, a wire netting. The classroom is a long white UNHCR tent, with table provided by the UN refugee agency.
The number of pupils is 2883. There are officially about 65 Ugandan pupils, but teachers say that the real figure is more than 200. Some Ugandan fear to confirm there nationality, being afraid to be expel from the school, as they think that it is reserved for South Sudanese only.
Koro Highland Primary school one out of the 30 primary school existing in Bidibidi settlements.
This is examination day. The pupils have completed their exam. The teacher, a Ugandan citizen employed by a NGO supporting the school, indicates to the pupils the process before leaving the classroom, a long white UNHCR tent. The boys have to give their papers to a designated boy, while the girls have to give it to a designated girl. Then they have to go through the door that he points.
The number of pupils is 2883. There are officially about 65 Ugandan pupils, but teachers say that the real figure is more than 200. Some Ugandan fear to confirm there nationality, being afraid to be expel from the school, as they think that it is reserved for South Sudanese only.
A young boy plays with his kite made of black plastic bags, close to his family's plot, in the Bidibidi settlement area.
Amina BUNA 65 years old, an Ugandan woman has set her workshop along the road, at the exit of Bidibidi camp (zone#2) few hundred meters away from the South Sudanese refugees graveyard. She breaks flat stones to produce pebbles. She sold them to South Sudanese who wish to make aggregate to build a tombstone to their relatives buried in the cemetery.
Le Pèlerin, 2017
Le Pèlerin, 2017
Le Pèlerin, 2017
Le Pèlerin, 2017
Le Pèlerin, 2017
De Volkskrant, 2017