Pushing 43 degrees Celsius, this is actually the “cold” season for South Sudan. Hairdryer hot is the first word that comes to my mind.
Arriving in Juba on Feb. 7th for a short stay was a privileged invite to the birth of a new nation; exciting, with a dash of Bambi-legs. It shone clearly from the eyes of most officials who’d been official less than a few hours: “What the hell am I doing here?”
Refugees United was in town with UNHCR Uganda, paying a visit to the UNHCR Sudan field office in Juba to discuss family tracing through Refugees United’s mobile and web tracing tools. As we have been operating a pilot project in Northern Uganda with the UNHCR, registering more than 1,500 Sudanese refugees in search of missing family, it is a desired step for us to take. More than 50% of the registered Sudanese in Northern Uganda believe their family to be in the Juba region. Moreover, our tools are believed to be powerful in helping to reconnect families separated between North and South Sudan over the past years.
We had a great day full of productive meetings with the UNHCR, discussing back and forth possibilities and people of concern, and how best to address their needs. We mainly discussed the use of the SMS and WAP tracing functionality of Refugees United and ran some demonstrations and workshops on how our tools are best put to use.
As part of our mission, we also went to visit a UNHCR way-station, where refugees in transit come to spend a few days to regain strength and to eat properly. While there, we got to meet the station’s newest member: an 8 day old girl, lying under a scarf in the shade, watched over by her mother. What a welcome to this world.
Next stop was a harbor servicing the many families who arrive via barges from the north. Thousands of people packed into a small area stacked high with personal goods: box mattresses with springs trying to escape, thousands of torn plastic bags holding everything from clothes to milk powder to worn out shoes. Banners from various relief agencies dotted the drab landscape with bright colors throughout. Despite the immense destitution, smiles blazed from the faces of most children as they hollered the characteristic “‘Ow are Yuuuuu!” All hoping to be en route to a better life. All we hope is that they get it.
It was an honor to be in Juba for these days, and we wish nothing but stability and peace for this new nation. And for those who have lost contact with their loved ones, we hope to be able to assist them in reconnecting once again.
David and Christopher Mikkelsen, on behalf of the Refugees United Team
