Wedweil Settlement
Wedweil Settlement
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Introducing Wedweil Settlement
At the onset of violence in Sudan, UNHCR and the Government of South Sudan established a transit centre to house new arrivals temporarily. Since then, the Government allocated additional land and formalized Wedweil Refugee Settlement as the primary receiving settlement for new Sudanese refugees. Covering 311 hectares, Wedweil Settlement is situated 40 kilometers from Aweil, along the highway leading north towards the Sudanese border.
As of February 2025, a total of 19,094 refugees from 8,196 households had been biometrically registered in Wedweil, most of whom are Sudanese refugees. Most arrivals entering through Kiir Adem (Aweil North) and Majokyinthiu (Aweil East) are received directly in Wedweil Settlement. Others arriving via Amiet (Abyei) or Joda border (Upper Nile) are hosted in Abyei and Renk transit centres, and are then relocated to Wedweil.
Registered refugees | 19,094 refugees 8,196 households |
Gender | Male - 64% Female - 36% |
Origin | Sudanese refugees - 97% Asylum seekers from Central African Republic, Ethiopia, and Eritrea – 3% |
| Data as of 7 February 2025 | |
In January 2025, Wedweil Settlement—until then regarded as a model of peaceful coexistence— experienced unexpected tensions and retaliatory attacks following the circulation of a video allegedly showing South Sudanese nationals in Sudan being killed by the Sudanese Armed Forces. Although the State Government contained the violence across the State within two days, many refugees and South Sudanese living or working near the settlement lost their homes and businesses to arson. In response, UNHCR is collaborating with the host community and local authorities to restore trust and cohesion.
Pursuing an integrated settlement approach in Wedweil
Following consultations with the host community and local authorities, Wedweil Settlement will undergo a phased development and integration with the host community. It is recognised as the main receiving settlement for newly arrived refugees in South Sudan. The Government, together with humanitarian and development partners, is working to establish infrastructure and services from scratch, as little infrastructure existed prior to the designation of land for the settlement.
Investments in the areas of education, health, and WASH are needed to ensure the settlement is equipped to meet the needs of the growing refugee population and the host community. These priority areas are outlined in dedicated sectoral pages for the Aweil regions, drawing from the Community-based Assessment of Reintegration and Absorption Capacity in Northern Bahr el Ghazal.
Other investment priorities include:
- Roads: During the rainy season, flash floods and poor road conditions constrain access to the settlement, impacting service delivery and livelihoods opportunities. Transportation from border areas and transit centres to the settlement is also often postponed until conditions improve.
- Livelihoods: The main economic activities in the wider area include livestock and - to a lesser extent - farming activities. Due to high ground water levels, access to water is guaranteed all year long.
- Connectivity: There is a lack of phone and internet connectivity in Wedweil, which is crucial in helping refugees establish contact with relatives and friends from whom they may have been separated during their flight from Sudan, as well as for livelihoods-related activities.
- Youth: Over 60% of refugees profiled in the settlement are youth, including those who had been students at university or in tertiary education institutions. Their main concern is the continuation of their studies and employment opportunities. Concerted and creative solutions need to be found to engage this population and capitalise on their potential.
