Jennifer Warren

Seeking Shelter

The LRA has been fighting in northern Uganda since 1986, after Museveni came to power, in a civil war that has claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and caused over 1.6 million refugees to flee. The UN's former head of humanitarian affairs, Jan Egeland, described the guerrilla war in northern Uganda as the "biggest neglected humanitarian emergency in the world".

Following the beginning of the joint military operation "Operation Lightning Thunder" on December 14, 2008, the LRA have increased attacks on civilians in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Southern Sudan and Central African Republic.

Over 20,000 Congolese have fled into Southern Sudan seeking refuge, where UNHCR is working with a number of humanitarian organizations in the relief effort. Thousands of people are still hiding in the bush, terrified to make the journey to the refugee settlements in Makpandu, Lasu and Ezo, set up with the support of the Government of Southern Sudan.

In September 2009, the LRA threatened to attack Ezo and all personnel were evacuated, leaving over 5,000 refugees without access food, water or healthcare. Repeated attacks on neighboring villages continue to leave the refugees and local communities at great risk.

Commissioned by UNHCR

'Seeking Shelter' on BBC

The Sudan People's Liberation Army (SPLA) is stationed along the border between Southern Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo, participating in joint operations to root out the Lord's Resistance Army. In Gangura, 6 miles from the border of DRC, they protect hundreds of Congolese refugees who are making their way to the new UNHCR site in Makpandu.Makpandu is currently hosting over 800 people, with almost 300 more arriving each week. A second site will soon be created in Ezo, where another 2,000 Congolese have crossed the border.
   
UNHCR trucks transport Congolese refugees and their possessions to the newly created UNHCR site in Makpandu, Southern Sudan. From Duru, DRC, Boribye jumps on the moving truck to join her husband and daughter, Mbodu. Close to the border of Southern Sudan, the remote village of Duru has been victim to repeated LRA attacks since September, the most recent occuring over the Christmas holiday.
   
From Bitima, DRC, 4-year-old Mirungu's family fled into Sudan after her father was killed by the LRA. After a two-day journey by foot, they stayed with a host family in Gangura for three weeks.
     
  
UNHCR trucks transport Congolese refugees and their possessions to Makpandu. The journey from Gangura, 6 miles from the northern border of DRC, to Makpandu, is only 56 kilometers but takes 3 hours due to the condition of roads in Southern Sudan.
   
Mabe Oba, age 11, fled from the village Nampari in northern Democratic Republic of Congo. After living in Ganguri with a host family for one month, he hopes to reunite with family members also making their way to Makpandu.
   
UNHCR trucks transport Congolese refugees and their possessions to Makpandu. These children were traveling with just their mother, after losing their father when the family fled Duru, DRC.
     
  
The journey from Gangura to Makpandu, Southern Sudan, is dusty and long, but nothing compared to one month living in the bush that people have endured since fleeing their homes in northeastern DRC.
   
Birunga, age 13, escaped alone from his village in Democratic Republic of Congo after his father was killed by the LRA. He was taken in by a Sudanese family in Gangura, and continued his journey by truck with 61 other Congolese refugees to Makpandu. Birunga traveled with only the clothes on his back and two new bicycle tires, which he was going to sell in the Nabiapai market when he fled. UNHCR will place him with a family at the Makpandu site while attempting to locate his relatives.
   
Boribye traveled with her husband and daughters Baby Merci and Mbodu from Duru, a remote village in northern DRC that has been victim to repeated LRA attacks since September, the most recent occuring over the Christmas holiday.
     
  
Gimarigu Gomorobanga and her daughter Alima are transported to the Makpandu site. During a break from the bumpy roads, Gimarigu fixes Alima's hair.
   
Congolese refugees travel by truck from Gangura, 6 miles from the northern border of DRC, to the newly created UNHCR site in Makpandu. Many hope to be reunited with family and friends upon arrival.
   
A flood of Congolese refugees wait for the trucks to arrive to Makpandu every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, hoping to reunite with family members as they arrive from Gangura.
     
  
Nyagene Jacquelina, 45, seeks treatment from an IOM nurse in Ezo, Western Equatoria, for what is believed to be advanced stage of AIDS. IOM treats primarily Sudanese IDPs in the area, but won't refuse treatment to refugees in the mobile clinic. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Jamba Mabe Jean-Pierre, 62, in front of his makeshift shelter in Villge 18 at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
   
Rengbe Senina, 65, fled from Duru, Democratic Republic of Congo, to the Makpandu UNHCR Congolese Refugee Settlement in Western Equatoria, where she reunited with her son and daughter-in-law. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
     
  
Congolese mother waits for WFP food rations to be distributed at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Congolese refugees wait for WFP food rations to be distributed at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. Sudanese SPLA soldiers surround the camp during the distributions for security. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
  
Diamonido Marino, 65, is treated for malaria by an IOM nurse in Ezo, Western Equatoria. IOM treats primarily Sudanese IDPs in the area, but won't refuse treatment to refugees in the mobile clinic. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
     
  
From Bitima, DRC, Mibitere and her family decided to flee into Sudan after her brother-in-law was killed by the LRA. After a two-day journey by foot, they stayed with a host family in Gangura for three weeks.
   
Chinbacire, age 8, registers with her family at the UNHCR site in Makpandu.
   
Baby Merci sleeps under a UNHCR tarp at Makpandu. Her mother Boribye fled with her two daughters from Duru, a remote village in Orientale Province, DRC that has been victim to repeated attacks since September.
     
  
The Catholic Diocese in Yambio, Southern Sudan, provides hot meals to new arrivals at Makpandu. The cooks and servers are also refugees, employed by the Diocese for 15 Sudanese pounds per day.
   
Mokili Pasi Tandema, 15, was abducted by the LRA in Dungu, Democratic Republic of Congo. He escaped, together with 7 other children, to the border of Southern Sudan and reunited with his mother, Momo Rama, at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
  
A Congolese refugee collects water from a purified pump managed by MEDAIR at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
     
  
A Congolese refugee prepares mud to build his new home at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
   
A herd of cattle are escorted by Dinka cattlemen outside the UNHCR site in Makpandu. Local commerce appeared quickly outside the camp, and market wares for sale include vegetables, cookware, furniture, hot meals, sodas and cigarettes.
   
Nyele Solange, 18, builds a new home in Sudan with the help of her husband, neighbors and friends, at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
     
  
Congolese refugee children play in a small stream at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
  
Congolese child plays with a plastic bag during the WFP food distribution at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Primary school students at the Makpandu UNHCR Congolese Refugee Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
     
  
Congolese refugees line up to receive their monthly WFP food rations at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Congolese mother waits for WFP food rations to be distributed at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Congolese boys play twilight football matches in the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
     
  
Merci Jandu seeks treatment for combination malaria and intestinal problems at the Makpandu Primary Health Care Center, supported by the Ministry of Health/Government of Southern Sudan. The Makpandu PHCC is now serving over 800 Congolese refugees in addition to the local population of Makpandu.
   
Arbettina Za escaped her home in Doruma, Democratic Republic of Congo in August after the LRA killed both of her parents. Arbettina is a registered refugee at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria, separated from her two children. On 23 January 2010, she went fishing in the Abiza River with some Sudanese friends from Mangbangau, Sudan, where she was again attacked by the LRA, just 4 miles from Ezo town. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
  
A funeral is held for an elderly woman at the Nyori UNHCR Settlement in Lasu, Central Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly.
     
  
Flora Boringba, 6, plays in the Catholic church her father, Priest Nomi Gbinzako Joseph, built inside the Ezo UNHCR Refugee Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.
   
Gloria Nyamugima, 23, receives medical care from Medecins sans Frontieres Spain at the Ezo UNHCR Settlement in Western Equatoria. In October 2008, thousands of Congolese fleeing violence perpetrated by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) crossed into Southern Sudan to make their way to safety at three main UNHCR settlements, Nyori in Central Equatoria, and Makpandu and Ezo in Western Equatoria. As the violence continues in DRC, CAR and Sudan, new arrivals register with UNHCR weekly. Ezo in particular, remains a security risk for refugees, internally displaced Sudanese, and the aid workers serving them.