Update on Returns to and within South Sudan
Over the past month, IOM has assisted some 1,500 Internally
Displaced Persons (IDPs) return from camps and settlements in and
around the capital Khartoum to their homes in South Sudan under the
Joint Organized Return Plan coordinated and implemented by the
Government of National Unity (GoNU), the Government of Southern
Sudan (GoSS), the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) and IOM.
Returns by land are organized from Omdurman El Salam Departure
Centre, on the outskirts of Khartoum, to Bentiu in Unity State and
to Turalei and Wunrock in Warrap State.
Returns to the Upper Nile State are organized by bus from
Khartoum to the port of Kosti and then by barge for a five-day
journey down the White Nile to Malakal, with stopovers in Al
Gableen, Al Rank and Melut.
All IDPs travelling with IOM are medically screened prior to
departure and receive routine vaccinations against Yellow Fever,
Diphtheria/Polio/Tetanus (DPT/OPV) and Tuberculosis (BCG). IOM
medical staff also travel with the returning IDPs.
At the Departure Centre, the returnees receive a package of Non
Food Items (NFIs) consisting of mosquito nets, blankets, plastic
sheeting, soap, jerry cans, and sleeping mats from the United
Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC).
The World Food Programme (WFP) provides all returnees with a
15-day food ration to cover their travel needs. A further
three-month WFP food ration is distributed on arrival when the
returnees are met by government and UNMIS Return, Recovery and
Reintegration committee.
Returns within South Sudan under the Joint Organized Return Plan
began on 31 January with the first IOM convoy assisting 554 IDPs to
return from the town of Nimule in Eastern Equatoria to Lomega in
Central Equatoria. A further 20,000 IDPs currently living in
Nimule, Lobone and Kajo Keiji who wish to return to their homes in
Jonglei and Central Equatoria States have so far registered with
IOM.
Since the launch of return operations in February 2007, more
than 46,500 IDPs have been assisted by IOM to return to South
Sudan.
For further information, please contact:
Simona Opitz
IOM Khartoum
Tel: + 249 (0)912330700
E-mail:
"mailto:sopitz@iom.int">sopitz@iom.int