An inaugural flight returning the first 50 Sudanese refugees who
have been in southeastern Central African Republic (C.A.R) for more
than 16 years, will take place in the first week of February.

The flight, the first of many to be organized by IOM, will be
the first official return of Sudanese refugees by UNHCR following
the signing of a tripartite agreement governing the return of
Sudanese from C.A.R. About 300,000 Sudanese refugees registered or
attended by UNHCR, are living in countries neighbouring Sudan,
10,000 of whom are in C.A.R.

The signing of the tripartite agreement in C.A.R. is expected on
1 February and will facilitate the desire of many refugees in
C.A.R. to return home to Sudan following the signing of a peace
agreement in January 2005.

A first group of 5,000 refugees will be flown by IOM from Mboki
in C.A.R. to destinations in Sudan’s Western Equatoria
Province over a three-month period, beginning with the inaugural
flight on 2 February. The majority of returns will be to areas
around Tambura and Yambio where IOM will work closely with UNHCR
and the German agency, GTZ, to facilitate arrival and the initial
reintegration period.

As well as being responsible for the air transport of the
refugees, IOM will also carry out pre-departure medical checks of
the refugees to determine travel fitness. In addition, IOM will
provide basic medical care and escort assistance for vulnerable
people such as the elderly and the disabled. River blindness in
particular, can be prevalent amongst these communities, requiring
special attention during the return process.

At the height of the operation, IOM will work with UNHCR and GTZ
to move about 150 people and their belongings per day through way
stations at Mboki and Tambura on the pre-departure and post-arrival
sides respectively. Transported belongings will include items
essential to reintegration and daily living.

Many families have requested to bring items such as bicycles,
which provide an all-important means of transport in and around
return areas as well as livelihood items such as sewing machines
which are integral to a quick reintegration process back in home
communities.

Arrangements for the second group of 5000 refugees in Mboki will
be reached with UNHCR after the initiation of this first group.

For further information, please contact:

Louis Hoffmann

IOM Khartoum

Tel: +2499 121 70095

Sat phone: +882 164 333 8260

Email: "mailto:lhoffmann@iom.int" target="_blank" title=
"">lhoffmann@iom.int