South Sudan - IOM is appealing for USD 10.5 million to provide emergency return assistance to vulnerable and stranded South Sudanese in Khartoum, Sudan.

In late 2010, during the lead up to the referendum on South Sudan’s independence, thousands of South Sudanese gathered in Khartoum to take advantage of planned return movements organized by the two governments. However, the suspension of those movements in 2011 left 19,700 South Sudanese stranded in what are now referred to as “open” and “mixed” areas.

With no means to return to South Sudan, these stranded individuals have been living in makeshift shelters with limited access to health care, sanitation and other basic services. Conditions in the open areas were further affected by flooding in early August 2013, which damaged numerous shelters and created major concerns for public health. Twelve South Sudanese, including eight members of the same family, were killed during the height of the flooding when their homes collapsed.  

Roughly 40 per cent of the total population in the open areas is under the age of 12. Extremely Vulnerable Individuals (EVIs) comprise five per cent of the population, including many pregnant and lactating mothers as well as individuals with chronic illness. Given these significant protection risks and the worsening of conditions in the open areas following the recent flooding, it is imperative that transport assistance is provided to this stranded population.

“The most feasible option to immediately address the urgent, life-saving needs of the population stranded in Khartoum is the provision of safe transport assistance to their final destinations in South Sudan,” says Mario Lito Malanca, IOM Chief of Mission in Sudan.

An agreement was signed between the governments of Sudan and South Sudan in September 2013 expressing mutual concern for the humanitarian situation and confirming support to facilitate the movement of citizens in both countries. However, while both governments have indicated their willingness to address the needs of this vulnerable population, they are unable to fund the transportation costs.

IOM is seeking to support both governments by providing safe transportation to the South Sudanese in Khartoum who want to return to South Sudan. Working together with government and humanitarian partners, IOM will arrange road and river convoys to bring the returnees to their intended final destinations in South Sudan.

Prior to departure, South Sudanese living in the open areas will be provided with sufficient information to make an informed decision about their return. IOM medical staff will screen all passengers for fitness to travel, administer vaccinations and escort the convoys throughout the duration of the journey, while partners will provide nutrition, psychosocial, hygiene and other assistance. 

In South Sudan, transit centers will be established and managed in the cities of Juba, Malakal and Wau. IOM will monitor arrivals once they have crossed the border and as they proceed to their final destinations. Returnees will receive assistance packages to support their arrival into South Sudan, as well as onward transportation, if they are unable to reach their final destination independently.

IOM has been involved in the returns of South Sudanese from Sudan since 2005 and to date has provided transport assistance by road, river and air to nearly 175,000 people.

For more information, please contact

Mario Lito Malanca
IOM Khartoum
Email: mmalanca@iom.int

or

Matt Graydon
IOM Juba
Email: mgraydon@iom.int