Introduction
South Sudan Mobility Tracking Pilot Round 1
IOM’s Displacement Tracking Matrix (DTM) was designed to capture, process and disseminate information regularly and systematically to provide a better understanding of the movements and evolving needs of mobile populations in locations of displacement or transit. Through mobility tracking, DTM is able to provide a comprehensive baseline and regular updates on the trends and changes in numbers, locations and priority needs of IDPs and returnees in South Sudan. In this pilot round, the IOM DTM team covered a total of 93 payams in 23 countries across six states. Locations were chosen to be assessed based on preliminary findings indicating the presence of IDPs and / or returnees and taking into account access considerations.
Key Findings
• Findings indicate that return movements are on the rise and that the number of new instances of displacement is decreasing (94% displaced before July 2017), whilst many individuals find themselves in protracted displacement situations.
• Assessed populations report a lack of security, food, shelter and water. Returnee populations additionally report housing land and property issues. Partial or severely damaged housing is reported for 71 per cent of the returnees in the assessed areas.
• Displacement triggers are most commonly linked to the conflict (including food insecurity triggered by the conflict). Communal clashes were especially prevalent in Terekeka and Awerial in 2017.
• Whereas over half (57%) of IDPs in the assessed areas are living in IDP sites, there are areas where IDPs are only or primarily staying in host community settings, increasing the need to holistically respond to the needs of IDPs and affected host populations.
• Over 475,000 individuals remain displaced from the assessed areas and 93% of those are currently reported to be located mostly abroad.
IDPs
Persons or groups of persons who have been forced or obliged to flee or to leave their homes or places of habitual residence, in particular as a result of or in order to avoid the effects of armed conflict, situations of generalized violence, violations of human rights or natural or human-made disasters, and who have not crossed an internationally recognized state border.
Time of arrival in assessed area considered: 2013 to 2018
Returnees
Someone who was displaced from their habitual residence either within South Sudan (former IDP) or abroad (former refugee), who has since returned to their habitual residence. Please note that the returnee category, for the purpose of DTM data collection, is restricted to individuals who returned to the exact location of their habitual residence or an adjacent area based on a free decision. South Sudanese displaced persons having crossed the border into South Sudan from neighbouring countries without having reached their home are still displaced and as such not considered returnees.
Time of arrival in assessed area considered: 2015 to 2018
Relocated Individuals
Someone who was displaced from their habitual residence either within South Sudan (former IDP) or abroad (former refugee), who has since relocated voluntarily (independently or with the help of other actors) to a location other than their former habitual residence, without an intention to return to their former habitual residence