Laku Ronald Paulino is a 30-year-old father of two who fled conflict in South Sudan. He arrived with his family at the Office of the Prime Minister (OPM) transit facility in Arua. Exhausted and uncertain of what lay ahead, they found themselves in an overcrowded facility, where thousands of others arrive every week.
Families like Ronald’s were vulnerable and living in difficult conditions, with limited access to clean water. They didn’t know how they would reach a safer, more permanent location to begin rebuilding their lives. Under its humanitarian logistics mandate with UNHCR, AIRD quickly stepped in, coordinating closely with OPM to offer transportation and relocation services.
AIRD deployed trucks and buses to transport Ronald’s family and others from OPM Arua to Ocea Reception Center. This ensured that the overwhelming influx of refugees could be managed efficiently and humanely.
At Ocea, OPM registered the refugees while AIRD prepared the next phase of relocation, ensuring that families would not be left waiting in uncertainty.
Once registration was completed, AIRD transported families to their new homes in Zone 8 of Rhino Camp Refugee Settlement. The relocation was conducted with care, efficiency, and dignity, prioritising vulnerable individuals such as pregnant women, the elderly, and young children.
Arriving in Zone 8 presented new challenges. As a newly established zone, permanent water infrastructure was not yet in place. Without reliable access to clean water, families faced risks of dehydration, waterborne diseases, and poor hygiene. AIRD launched daily water trucking, ensuring every block in Zone 8 received a consistent supply of clean and safe drinking water.
“Water comes every day and we no longer walk long distances or fear unsafe sources. AIRD gave us life again.” Ronald added
This intervention gave regular access to water for drinking, cooking, and hygiene to families. Communal tanks and tap stands are refilled daily, reducing long queues and potential conflicts. Health outcomes improved, especially among children and breastfeeding mothers.
Together with UNHCR and OPM, AIRD continues to play a pivotal role in humanitarian response, ensuring that no one is left behind and that every refugee is given the dignity and hope they deserve.
