An IOM air operation to help internally displaced people (IDPs) who
have been living in Khartoum for many years to return to their
homes in the south of the country has ended.

The final two charter flights carrying 233 people left Khartoum
at the weekend for Juba and Mundri in Central Equatoria state. It
brings the total number of people returned by air to 1,530 since
the operation began in mid July to continue assisting the return of
IDPs to Central and Western Equatoria states as the rainy season
had put an end to road travel.

The air returns were part of a Joint Organized Return Programme
of the Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern
Sudan, the UN and IOM in which 63,000 South Sudanese IDPs are due
to be helped return to their former homes in 2007, which many have
not seen for more than 20 years. So far, nearly 45,000 South
Sudanese displaced people have been assisted by road, barge and air
since the programme began in early February.

All the IDPs were medically screened and vaccinated prior to
departure by an IOM health team at the El Salam Departure Centre on
the outskirts of Khartoum. Upon arrival in Juba, the returnees were
provided accommodation at the way station operated by the United
Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and German Technical
Corporation (GTZ) before being assisted by IOM to their final
destinations in Western and Central Equatoria states.

On arrival at their final destinations, returnees are given a
three-month food ration by the World Food Programme (WFP). The
United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has been assisting the air
operation by providing cargo flights which transport to Juba the
luggage returnees are permitted to take with them.

For further information, please contact:

Simona Opitz

IOM Khartoum

Tel (Mobile): ++ 249 (0)912339700

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