 is a short animated film collaboration between Richard Akim, a survivor of South Sudan's recurrent civil wars, and German Andino, a Honduran journalist and graphic artist. Weaving memories of his childhood and the violence that have defined his life into scenes from the present, the film illuminates the plight of a stateless, restless, ambitious young refugee who refuses to be defined by his trauma or his circumstances.

The considerable challenges of shooting a film in a refugee camp were exacerbated by travel restrictions and strict quarantine measures during the pandemic, not to mention the lack of access to electricity in Bidi Bidi. The limitations meant that Richard had to manage all aspects of visual production himself. He built his own tripod with pieces of wood he collected around the settlement and recorded scenes with his mobile phone, which became the primary visual references for future animation work. We modified the original script of the film on the fly, so Richard was responsible for recording the soundtrack, sound effects, and even his own narration of the film.

During the pandemic, the tasks Ray and I had intended to flesh out together in the field in Uganda turned into endless hours of Facebook Messenger meetings and shared WeTransfer files, all of which was aggravated by the limited bandwidth of Bidi Bidi's free internet network.

The first stage of production required gathering information and applying journalistic rigor in order to document Richard's story accurately. We had to locate the story in time and place his migratory process within the framework of the endless wars in South Sudan. His story was then condensed into a technical script, which was originally intended to become a non-fiction comic.

A journalistic approach to tell this story, let’s say a traditional one, would fall short of the suffering caused by the war in South Sudan. So Richard and I decided the film would offer that and more: slow journalism and art. Two transforming forces that when combined offer an enormity of perspective.

West Nile, Uganda

And Here is War, Yet Again

In late 2019, Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement was something of a 

 within the humanitarian aid world. Hailed as an “unique urban experiment,” the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister were planning to co-develop the ramshackle settlement into the world’s first permanent city of refugees. There seemed no end in sight to the unrelenting civil wars on Uganda’s northern border and no better way to stimulate growth in the impoverished, sparsely populated West Nile region than to create a sense of belonging and identity for the 285,000 South Sudanese refugees in Bidi Bidi, the vast majority still children.

There we met Richard Akim, an aspiring South Sudanese filmmaker and community organizer who tapped me on the shoulder in a dusty field in Rhino Camp and invited us to his hut the following day. During that first visit, we were discussing the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its potential impact on humanitarian aid and global food systems when Richard shared a sentiment that became a mantra for our future collaborations. “We hear 

The pandemic prevented us from returning to Bidi Bidi until early 2022, when German and I arrived to find a social experiment on the verge of collapse and a community on the brink of abandonment. Two years of unyielding Covid restrictions, unrelenting isolation and dwindling food rations had shattered any illusion of permanence and revealed Bidi Bidi’s inherent ephemerality. It may be a city of refugees, but it will never be home.

, the following work of graphic reportage, is a mosaic of oral histories documenting the experiences of refugees, relief workers and administrators residing in Bidi Bidi. It is a firsthand account of the daily rhythms, discussions and aspirations of a stateless, voiceless community struggling to exist. More poignantly, it is an homage to the spirit of survival in northwest Uganda’s refugee archipelago and the 100 million refugees and displaced peoples worldwide whose stories are seldom heard.

 was made possible by the consent and support of the Ugandan Office of the Prime Minister.

All interviews and illustrations have been recorded and recreated faithfully and respectfully.

Refugee Archipelago

It wasn’t the reports that street-fighting had reached South Sudan’s capital of Juba or that mercenaries were raiding villages in nearby Equatoria State; the first signs of the coming humanitarian crisis were the ghost-like figures wandering into the border towns of Uganda’s West Nile Sub-Region—many of them children, many of them alone. It was the summer of 2016 and millions of South Sudanese were preparing to flee their newly-independent nation, while just across the border in northwest Uganda, a harsh frontier land of savannah, sand and thicket was about to become Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement (pop. 285,000).

Bidi Bidi was an attempt by the UN High Commission for Refugees and the Ugandan government’s Office of the Prime Minister to resolve the region’s recurring cycle of conflict and humanitarian response by creating a 

 refugee city. And within weeks of the emerging crisis, government-issued construction trucks and emergency vehicles were clogging the single dirt road that links Uganda’s isolated northwestern province to the rest of the country, bands of foreign aid workers were haggling for rooms in the handful of hotels typically reserved for long-haul truck drivers and Congolese merchants, and Ugandan military forces were deployed to the border.

 chronicles the origins of Bidi Bidi from the perspectives and experiences of host communities, UN administrators, Ugandan relief workers, and Richard Akim, a South Sudanese refugee who dreams of becoming a filmmaker before an orgy of violence leaves him orphaned and helpless against the marauding militias. Ultimately, he must find a way to escape make it to Uganda, where he was born as a refugee two decades earlier.

 would not have been possible without the consent and support of the Ugandan Office of the Prime Minister.

All interviews and illustrations have been recorded and recreated as faithfully and respectfully as possible.

Refugee Archipelago: Ch. 2

Bidi Bidi Media Lab is proud to present a ground-breaking refugee-produced podcast hosted and produced by filmmaker and community activist Richard Akim. The first episode takes us on the journey of exodus from the war-torn villages of South Sudan to northwest Uganda, where more than a million displaced people have been resettled in a sprawling savannah of refugee camps co-administered by the United Nations and Uganda’s Office of the Prime Minister.

We are introduced to Michael Moga, a South Sudanese refugee and democratically-elected village representative for Zone 2, and Peter Lomude, a former teacher and influential community leader, whose work is focused on providing quality education to school-aged refugees. Moga and Lomude's harrowing life experiences help illuminate not only South Sudan’s troubled past, but also the lingering psycho-social traumas wrought by violence and statelessness. We hear unfiltered perspectives and solutions-focused ideas as Moga and Lomude explain the need for a unified refugee voice in Bidi Bidi to strengthen their negotiating position on the international stage, improve living conditions and reclaim a modicum of self-determination fort individuals.

Michael Moga is among the first democratically-elected political leaders in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, Uganda. He organizes and advocates for the interests of tens of thousands of stateless refugees living in Zone 2, but believes that refugees must be empowered to solve their own problems with the assistance of aid organizations. In order to do so effectively, refugees must find autonomy through a unified voice.

Peter Lomude is a 31-year-old South Sudanese refugee living in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement Zone 2, who taught history at Yei Day Secondary School until he fled his home in 2016. To Lomude, the war in South Sudan is a useless war because “it is a war without a cause.” He believes all the bloodshed can be boiled down to a simple principle––one he often heard as a boy: “We are not meant to be ruled; we are meant to rule.”

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 1

In the second episode of the Bidi Bidi Podcast, host Richard Akim introduces the audience to Mary Knight and Betty Ede who managed to evade the various militias terrorizing small hamlets and villages across South Sudan and escape across the border only to find a tenuous and sometimes cruel sanctuary in Uganda.

Host Richard Akim guides us through a world of human insecurity to understand how political gamesmanship between South Sudanese President Salva Kiir’s and Vice President Riek Machar devolved into ethnic factionalism, civil war and genocide, forcing around a quarter of the population to flee the world’s youngest nation-state toward uncertain futures in Sudanese, Ethiopian and Ugandan refugee camps. Akim describes the mass exodus as “a sea of humans and emotions escaping the madness and bloodshed”.

Finally, we are provided an inside look into life as a rebel soldier from Kemish Likambo, an ex-guerrilla who was recruited by friends to join one of South Sudan's dozens of militias. He reveals horrors perpetuated, moral dilemmas, life-and-death decisions, and his ultimate escape from that life toward peace and redemption in Uganda.

Mary Knight, 27, is a South Sudanese student from Yei County, Central Equatoria State. Mary was in boarding school when civil war broke out in 2016. Separated from her family in an instant, she ran in fear––fleeing in multiple directions, joining roving bands of refugees who were also trying to evade the various rebel groups and seek asylum in Uganda. Despite living in exile with a quarter of a million other refugees, she says she has gained a clearer perspective of the future.

Betty Ede, 38, lives in Bidi Bidi refugee settlement, Zone 2. Prior to 2016, she taught school and ran a small business in Yei County, South Sudan. At the height of the conflict, she lost her nephew to a treatable illness due to a lack of medicine at the local hospital. The experience prompted Betty to gather her children and walk to Uganda. After arriving in the settlement, Betty and other women formed a group called Togoleta Refugee Women to address gender violence in Bidi Bidi and other camps of the region.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 2

Host Richard Akim, his wife Mary Knight, and colleague Peter Lomude share their stories of when the South Sudan civil war reached their villages.

These are closely guarded stories of loss and survival, as each makes their way south toward the frontier through villages ravaged by violence, menacing government checkpoints, and hostile militia-held regions. By the time they reached Uganda, they are malnourished, exhausted and on the verge of collapse. This is the first time they have shared their stories with the outside world.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 3

In the fourth episode of the series, refugees to recall the memories and emotions when they arrived in Uganda as refugees. They offer insight into what people expected to find in the camp and the scenes they encountered on the first days in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement. 

Many of the questions that arose in those days endure until today, questions about safety, water, food rations, employment opportunities, childhood education and the peace process in South Sudan. Although some improvements were made in years that passed, more often than not the problems persist. Those interviewed have chosen to share with the world a rare knowledge about what is means to be totally vulnerable, what it means to be victimized, and what it means to endure.

Rise Up & Talk: Refugee Radio, Ep. 4

In May 2024, democracy prevailed in Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement when the first female candidate, Neima Grace Khemis, was elected to represent Zone 2 on the Refugee World Council (RWC). Her victory marked an extraordinary milestone in the community's journey from asylum and statelessness toward empowerment and self-governance. The democratic process demonstrated the community's commitment to peaceful transitions of power and a collective vision for a better future.

To the thousands who supported her campaign, Neima Grace Khemis embodies the resilience and determination of millions of refugees forced to rebuild their lives in the face of tremendous hardship. She reflects not only the growing representation of women in leadership, but the courage to stand up and be heard, inspiring countless others within the settlement. 

Documenting this historic moment was fraught with difficulties. Limited access to basic production equipment, a reliable computer and quality headphones hindered the editing process. Insufficient battery power for sound recorders disrupted audio capture during interviews, while the unstable power source in the settlement made it challenging to upload files and meet deadlines. Despite these hurdles, I was determined to preserve and share the story of the triumph of democracy to inspire hope throughout Bidi Bidi and beyond.

Rise Up & Vote: The Triumph of Democracy

In late March, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres issued an appeal for 

 and mitigate the spread of the virus to refugee camps. His plea reflects the fragility of public health systems in the settlements, where overcrowding, underlying health concerns, and a dearth of medical supplies, testing kits, heath care workers, and financial resources could present a doomsday scenario in the case of an outbreak. Should COVID-19 infiltrate the camps, communal water stations and World Food Program distribution centers for rations would become “

,” transforming places where all refugees go to collect essential resources into "hotspots" where the spread of the virus is accelerated.

 to armed groups to cease attacks that are at the root of the refugee crisis, and instead 

. His appeal has predictably fallen on deaf ears, as violence in Central America, Syria, Afghanistan, Myanmar, and South Sudan continues unabated. Hate, after all, never bows to reason.

A sombre truth we have learned about COVID-19 is that although the virus spreads indiscriminately, it is the poor, the hungry, the stateless, the homeless, the elderly, and the sick who are at greatest risk. Sadly, the characteristics that define the most vulnerable populations among us are the same characteristics that define the 70+ million refugees and internally-displaced peoples (IDPs) living in UN-administered camps and settlements across the globe.

In France and Belgium, where COVID-19 cases are spiking, emergency services workers in the Calais refugee camp reported that the number of 

 in a matter of days. Humanitarian organizations working in regions that have yet to experience widespread contagion are seeing the first signs of a coming wave.

“Confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been found in some refugee camps and communities with a large number of IDPs in Afghanistan, Iran, Gaza, and 

,” says Dr. Paul Fean, Global Roving Youth Advisor with the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) based in Jordan. “Refugees and IDPs are often susceptible to COVID-19 due to high (internal) mobility, living in overcrowded conditions, and lack of clean water, sanitation and decent healthcare.”

Potential flash-points include Mediterranean entry points to Europe (Greece and Italy), Syrian civil war refugee host countries (Turkey and Jordan), relative safe havens from internal African conflict (Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya), the borderlands of Afghanistan and Pakistan, the frontiers of Bangladesh and Myanmar, and the war zones of Yemen. Should COVID-19 reach these camps, the scope of tragedy would be incalculable.

In advance of the wave, Alight (formerly known as the American Refugee Committee) is providing refresher courses on hygiene to health care workers, ensuring that critical supplies are stocked and increasing the number of doctors and nurses on shift. They are developing lightweight 

 that staff can carry and distribute around the camps. Daniel Wordsworth, CEO at Alight, says the volume of water that is needed as their biggest challenge. “We want them to be in as many locations as people are on a particular day: clinics, school, or water points.”

Richard Akim, a South Sudanese filmmaker and refugee living in Bidi Bidi, Uganda, 

the world’s second largest refugee settlement

, says there have been no reported cases in the camp, but neither are there any testing locations. The Office of the Prime Minister and the UN High Commission on Refugees (UNHRC) are relying on isolation—which Bidi Bidi has in abundance—to combat the spread of the virus, issuing an order to cut off all roads leading to the camp and cease public transportation.

In lieu of help from the outside world, Akim says that refugees are taking matters into their own hands. “People in the camps are aware of the global COVID-19 crisis. They are socially distancing and staying home to keep themselves safe.” The most significant change to people’s daily lives, he says, is that World Food Program (WFP) rations have been decreased from 12 to 8kg per month.

Fear and isolation have given rise to a more perverse threat to public health in Bidi Bidi: the spread of misinformation. “A lot of refugees are getting news and updates from people who have access to the internet in the camps,” says Akim. But there is a dangerous rumor circulating that COVID-19 can be cured by “drinking tea without sugar and having sex,” which sadly calls to mind the tragic falsehoods spread in the wake of the AIDS epidemic.

The Norweigan Refugee Council is working with the UNHCR and other NGOs to disseminate guidance provided by the World Health Organization (WHO) and “conduct awareness campaigns to share information on hygiene practices.” But Dr. Fean explains it’s challenging to disseminate information effectively in cross-cultural settings because “refugee populations need adequate and correct information in their own mother tongue.”

Perhaps the most functional venue for mitigating the spread of misinformation is schools, where students receive critical information and guidance and pass it on to family members. From Dr. Fean’s experience, young refugees and IDPs tend to have strong networks and keen interest to support others. They are often the ones “sharing information about how to stay safe from COVID-19 through social media and with friends and family.” Unfortunately, the benefits of keeping schools open has thus far been outweighed by the potential risks.

“Most countries affected by COVID-19 have closed educational institutions, which means that refugees and IDPs are also out of school,” says Dr. Fean. “NRC’s country teams are adapting educational programs for children and youth so that learning can continue through remote teaching using the internet, radio, or self-learning. We are also considering how youth can have positive roles in their communities, such as through the involvement of youth participants in hygiene awareness campaigns.”

Another sombre truth, though, is that very little can be done to attenuate the spread of COVID-19 in the camps other than enhanced hygiene, hand washing, and social distancing, all of which feels feeble and woefully inadequate in the face of a growing pandemic.

The impending crisis is forcing humanitarian aid organizations to find creative, sometimes unprecedented, solutions. “In Jordan, for example,” says Dr. Fean, “NRC, in partnership with UNHCR, has completed cash distributions in Azraq camp so that Syrian refugees can purchase cooking gas, diapers, and sanitary items. NRC also contributed to distribution of hygiene kits to refugees residing in Azraq camp. A group of NRC staff are staying in Azraq camp so they can continue to support refugees while travel restrictions have been put in place across Jordan.”

Although heroic efforts are being undertaken by health care workers across the world, the pandemic has disproportionately affected wealthy countries, leading some to call 

” It is not. Wealth, access to medical care, and social security render no one immune to the virus. But those who walk the earth utterly defenseless, whose very survival requires another’s act of mercy, who have no home in which to sequester themselves or refrigerator to store their food, will suffer unimaginably should COVID-19 reach their tent cities.

Amid the fear there are glimmers of hope. Refugee health care workers from Venezuela, Iraq, and Syria are being called to the front lines to fight against the virus in their host countries—England, Colombia, Iran, and the US among them. Others are taking on the monumental task of educating and caring for the most at-risk populations within the camps. COVID-19 is not the great equalizer, but it may be the great moralizer. When all is said and done, we may learn that only by protecting the most vulnerable can we protect ourselves.

Global

Spatial Clusters: Covid in the Camps

In the heart of Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement, amidst the struggles of displacement and uncertainty, Total Football Club has emerged as a symbol of hope and unity. Founded in 2021 by a group of refugees from South Sudan, Congo and Uganda, Total FC defied the odds, transcending tribal divides and forging a common bond through the beautiful game.

What began as informal matches on dusty makeshift pitches evolved into something remarkable a team that would not only represent the aspirations of its players but also the resilience of an entire community. Total FC's journey from humble beginnings to becoming the sole refugee team in Uganda's football landscape is a testament to the power of sports in fostering inclusion and empowerment.

In their inaugural year, Total FC embarked on a remarkable quest, transcending barriers both on and off the pitch. Despite limited resources and logistical constraints, the team's passion and determination never wavered. They earned recognition by registering in the 4th division of Ugandan football, a historic milestone for a team born in a refugee settlement.

The 2021-2022 season proved to be a trial by fire for Total FC as they navigated the competitive landscape of Ugandan football. Against all odds, they exceeded expectations, reaching the playoffs in their debut season a remarkable achievement that showcased their talent and resilience.

Undeterred by setbacks, Total FC emerged stronger and more determined. In 2023, they etched their name in the annals of football history by clinching the championship in the Nile Zone, representing Yumbe District. Their triumph not only brought joy to their supporters but also shattered stereotypes and demonstrated the potential of refugee athletes.

With their remarkable ascent, Total FC earned promotion to the 3rd division of Ugandan football a testament to their skill, discipline and unwavering spirit. Today, as they sit proudly in second place on the league table standings, trailing only behind Odramachako FC, Total FC continues to defy expectations and inspire a generation.

Beyond the wins and losses, Total FC's legacy transcends the confines of the football pitch. They represent a beacon of unity, demonstrating that diversity is not a hindrance but a source of strength. Through their shared love for the game, players from diverse backgrounds have found common ground, forging friendships that transcend tribal, cultural, and national boundaries.

Total FC's journey embodies the resilience, courage and indomitable spirit of refugees worldwide. In their pursuit of excellence, they remind us that no obstacle is insurmountable and that the power of unity can overcome even the greatest challenges. As they continue to write their chapter in Ugandan football history, Total FC stands as a testament to the transformative potential of sports in fostering inclusion, empowerment and hope.

*To help support their journey and share their story, visit the 

 and check out Interstitial Media's exclusive Total FC gear. Profits from all sales are shared directly with the refugees who run Total FC and Bidi Bidi Media Lab. Feel free to contact us with any questions.

Total FC: Together We Rise

Dear UNHCR,
I hope this message finds you well. I am writing to bring to your attention a pressing issue affecting the residents of Bidi Bidi Refugee Settlement Zone 2, particularly concerning water shortages. As a resident, I have witnessed firsthand the severe impact of water shortages on the daily lives of thousands of individuals, including women, children, and elderly persons. Despite efforts to manage water resources, the demand consistently exceeds the available supply, leading to frequent disruptions in access to clean and safe water.

The inadequate provision of water poses significant challenges to the health, sanitation, and well-being of the community. Residents are forced to endure long queues and wait times at water distribution points, often resulting in overcrowding and tension. Moreover, the limited availability of water exacerbates hygiene-related issues, increasing the risk of waterborne diseases and illnesses.

Furthermore, reliance on alternative sources of water, such as unsafe wells or untreated surface water, poses serious health risks and compromises the dignity and safety of individuals, particularly vulnerable groups such as women and children.

Thank you in advance for your support and assistance. 

Water!

A collection of refugee-produced and directed documentary films, podcasts and graphic reportage from the world’s first permanent city of refugees. 