Area test
Bidibidi, Uganda April 2017
Bidibidi is a refugee settlement in northwestern Uganda: with over 270,000 residents as of early 2017 it was the largest refugee settlement in the world, and it’s still one of the biggest. It was originally a small village, then in August 2016, Uganda Government and various International NGOs worked to create a settlement rather than a camp to host the growing number of the asylum seekers from South Sudan, trying to build up integration between the arriving diversified socio-ethnic populations and the existing local community. Less than a year after its creation the center raised a small economic system of its own interacting with the local one, granting the refugees materials for indipendent housing and the right to work. Although initial encouraging outcomes have been greeted with enthusiasm under the lights of international attention, the project shows serious critical issues, revealing its complexity. With Museveni autocratic government in office since 1986, Uganda has experienced relative peace and significant success in battling HIV, as well as extreme high levels of corruption, unemployment and poverty, with a per capita annual GDP of US $ 1,424 and a life expectancy of 54 years. The lack of resources to carry out refugee integration projects pushed Ugandan community to ask for more International assistance funds.
Bidibidi area covers 250 square kilometres of the eastern half of Yumbe District, a few kilometers away from the South Sudanese border. The center is now hosting around 275.000 refugees. It’s divided into 6 areas, every zone is composed by approximately 15-20 villages each one hosting up to 430 households.
Bidibidi accepts now just the relatives of the people who already live in the center: new incoming refugees are directed to other settlements in order to avoid overcrowding.
During first-aid emergency phase the transit Area welcomed up to 2800 people per day, offering hot meals and primary medical care. Nowadays it’s not working anymore.
The center is now hosting around 275.000 refugees. Villages have been organized mixing up the different ethnic groups belonging to South Sudanese nationality, as Akwa, Didinga, Acholi, Zande, Mundu, Avukaya and Bak. Ethnic conflicts have been reported especially between Dinka and Nuer members, so far isolated cases, overlapped with pre-existing ethnic fault lines and memories of the atrocities of their home country civil war.
80% of the refugees are women and children, they are the first to get medical care and they receive a small amount of money each month. Everyone contributes to the life inside the center, collecting water, keeping areas clean and washing cutlery and plates.
South Sudaneses fled from a bloody civil war and famine. Many reported abuses and losses of relatives and friends.
Refugees receive all the necessary material to build up their lodging, and a 30 m² land each. Everybody shares every item they managed to arrive in the camp with.
Ugandan Government requires to the villages to elect a representative Chairman in charge of the communication with the Authorities and the selection of the security guards for the local safety. Otto James Darious accepted to become chairman as a volunter: his position does not grant any salary compensation or extra benefits.
The land is barren and it’s difficult to cultivate. Many people hoped that the attention given to the center would have leaded to more effective water supply needed for adequate soil fertility.
A group of Ugandans is going to the church for Easter celebrations: local catholics and other religion devotees live peacefully with the Islamic South Sudanese majority.
According to the rules of the settlement, residents are allowed with a special plaque to drive people to the near villages. They can look for a job as well but only close to the center, they should not move out of a defined area around the district of Yumbe: heading to bigger cities represents a high risk of getting reported.
The center hosts accomodation tents for several International NGOs involved in many aspects of the life of the residents under the guidance of UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees): furnishing food, supplying plastic chairs, providing for children education and medical treatments.
Most of Ugandans feel the memory of the emigration past of their country: working with refugees is considered an honour.
South Sudanese refugees who made it to the center with some savings, started a small business dealing with local Ugandan suppliers. Business is bad, customers are always very few and buy little, because of the extreme economic difficulties of the residents due to the lack of funds and the very high unemployment. Many of these shops don't think they can survive for long.
The quantity of water per person is insufficient, and the tanks are located too far to reach, to guarantee an adequate supply.
Refuges can look for a job, getting to the near small town of Yumbe, where they often work as mechanics and repairmen. Many young men report difficulties of integration: they ask for working training and they are affected by the lack of allowances for them.
Structures are still temporary: strong storms and ravages of time make them often inadequate. Some of them are not used anymore, some others have been abandoned or dismantled.
There are a lot of educational projects carried out inside the center: children are also allowed to go to local Ugandan schools in the area, but they are located far from the center.
At around 50 km of security distance from the center, the border with South Sudan it’s clearly visible: the fence represents a protection from the outside. But, even if it is not meant for segregation, movement rules and living conditions seem to leave residents only the possiblity to live inside Bidibidi with no chance to hope for a real job in or out the center.