The first IOM-assisted convoy expected to carry nearly 300
internally displaced persons (IDPs) will leave the Sudanese capital
Khartoum for destinations in South Kordofan on 3 February, marking
the start of a mammoth operation to help tens of thousands of IDPs
return to their homes in South Sudan.

Up to 150,000 IDPs, who have spent an average of 17 years being
displaced in north Sudan due to the long-running civil war in the
south of the country, are expected to be voluntarily returned in
organized movements in the coming months. The returns are jointly
organized by the United Nations, IOM, the Sudanese Government of
National Unity (GoNU) and the Government of South Sudan (GoSS).

IOM operations and medical staff escorting the convoy to South
Kordofan tomorrow will take the IDPs to various counties in the
state with overnight stays at way stations along the route that are
managed by IOM and the NGO, ADRA. There, the returnees will be
provided with shelter, water and basic medical services.

Prior to departure from an IOM centre in Omdurman near Khartoum,
IDPs are being medically screened by IOM doctors and given en-route
food rations. Packages containing basic household items to help
with reintegration and provided by UNICEF, the UN's Joint Logistics
Centre and the NGO, CARE, are also being distributed.

Upon arrival, the IDPs will be greeted by Reception Committees
that facilitate the reintegration of the displaced into their
former communities. The UN's World Food Programme (WFP) will also
distribute three-month food rations for each household.

More than 500,000 IDPs in Khartoum State wanting to return to
their homes in the south or South Kordofan have been registered by
IOM and a partner, the Fellowship for African Relief (FAR), since
last November. Selection for return this year is based on whether
final destinations are located in high priority return areas
designated by the UN, the GoNU and the GoSS.

The next IOM convoys are due to leave Khartoum on 6, 9 and 12
February with operations peaking from March onwards when road
access becomes possible throughout most of the states in South
Sudan.

As well as assisting IDPs to return home, providing
reintegration and infrastructure support and funding permitting,
IOM will also carry out voluntary return operations for Sudanese
refugees as well as promote and assist the return of qualified
Sudanese in order to help the socio-economic recovery of the south.
In addition, the Organization will track and monitor spontaneous
IDP movements to ensure humanitarian assistance is provided if need
be. In order to carry out these operations in 2007, IOM has
appealed for nearly USD 62 million.

For further information, please contact:

Birgit Hussfeld

IOM Khartoum

Tel: +249 183 570 801/2/3/4

E-mail: "mailto:bhussfeld@iom.int">bhussfeld@iom.int

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