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The details of life in a refugee camp

News imageTommy Trenchard Clothes hang on a washing line in Palorinya refugee camp in northern UgandaTommy Trenchard

Since civil war broke out in South Sudan, in 2013, more than a million South Sudanese refugees have crossed the border into neighbouring Uganda.

Tommy Trenchard's pictures focus on commonplace objects and details to convey day-to-day life in several refugee camps near the border.

News imageTommy Trenchard A pair of shoes belonging to Okongo CharlesTommy Trenchard
A pair of shoes belonging to Okongo Charles, 32, in Palorinya camp. The fighting in Reng left him separated from his children, who live with his mother in Juba.

"During the early stages of the crisis, living conditions were bleak - but life has been slowly improving for the refugees living here," says Trenchard.

"Uganda's policy towards refugees is often used as an example for other countries.

"Each family is granted a small plot of land to farm, and is free to do business in the country. Days are filled with chores, cooking, farming, play and endless waiting."

Following the signing of a peace deal many of the refugees will hope they can return home in the near future.

News imageTommy Trenchard An educational poster hangs on the wall of Lona Kiji's home in Bidi Bidi refugee campTommy Trenchard
An educational poster hangs on the wall of Lona Kiji's home in Bidi Bidi camp. She fled here in September 2016 when violence swept through Central Equatoria State.
News imageTommy Trenchard A hut belonging to Malis Justin, a South Sudanese refugeeTommy Trenchard
A hut belonging to Malis Justin and his children in Bidi Bidi camp.
News imageTommy Trenchard A boy plays with a toy car in Rhino refugee camp in northern UgandaTommy Trenchard
A boy plays with a toy car in Rhino camp. Such cars, made from bottle caps and other waste plastic, are seen throughout the camps. No two are ever quite the same.
News imageTommy Trenchard Pebbles lie in holesTommy Trenchard
Pebbles lie in holes after a game of aweet, a type of Mancala played under different names across Africa.
News imageTommy Trenchard Cabbages grow in vegetable patchTommy Trenchard
Malis was given seeds, equipment and training by Caritas, the Catholic Church's humanitarian aid organisation.
News imageTommy Trenchard Richard, a young refugee from South Sudan, draws a picture of a violent sceneTommy Trenchard
Richard draws a violent scene, in Bidi Bidi camp, where many of the refugees are children.
News imageTommy Trenchard A meal is served in the Palorinya refugee campTommy Trenchard
A meal is served in the Palorinya camp.
News imageTommy Trenchard A drawing of a truck adorns the mud wall of a refugee shelterTommy Trenchard
A drawing of a truck adorns the mud wall of a shelter in Palorinya camp.
News imageTommy Trenchard Solar panels donated by an aid agencyTommy Trenchard
Solar panels donated by an aid agency lie outside a refugee's tent. Electricity is scarce in the camps - but many of the refugees have bought or been given solar panels.
News imageTommy Trenchard Torches and a crucifix hang on a nailTommy Trenchard
Torches and a crucifix hang on a nail in Bidi Bidi camp.
News imageTommy Trenchard Water samples lie on a table at a Red Cross water treatment plantTommy Trenchard
Samples lie on a table at a Red Cross water treatment plant on the banks of the Nile in northern Uganda. The plant supplies treated Nile water to thousands of refugees in the nearby camps.
News imageTommy Trenchard Okra in a bowlTommy Trenchard
Martin Waru, 42, harvests okra in Bidi Bidi camp, where he lives with his wife and nine children. He was given fast-growing seeds by Caritas to kick-start production on his small plot of land.

All photographs by Tommy Trenchard.