South Sudan, UNHCR agree to secure safe repatriation of refugees

A young refugee from South Sudan at the Numanzi Transit Center where meals and temporary accommodation are provided by UNHCR in Adjumani, northern Uganda (UNHCR /Will Swanson)

 

The UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and the South Sudan Friday agreed to secure the safe repatriation of some elderly refugees from Ethiopia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The agreement was reached during the high-level visit to Gorom settlement camp on the outskirts of Juba, where 4,000 refugees are currently staying after fleeing conflict in their respective countries.

Mahmoud Solomon Agok, Minister of Interior, said the government will deploy police officers to protect refugees in Gorom refugee settlement.

“For us as the ministry of interior, your welfare and life are under us and we must make sure that you are in a safe place with good security,” said Solomon in the South Sudan capital.

“We will make sure that UNHCR and other NGOs supply you with food, health services, education, and other social services,” he added.

Juliette Murekeyisoni, UNHCR deputy country representative, said they will continue providing emergency assistance and protection to the refugees.

“We are giving shelter, wash, education, and protection in general as protection is UNCHR mandate and also we are supporting persons with special needs with some special services,” said Juliette.

Juliette said the refugees have lamented last year’s decision by the World Food Programme (WFP) to cut food rations for refugees in South Sudan.

The world’s youngest nation hosts about 700,000 refugees from neighboring countries.

“The challenges they are facing in the camp mostly they talked about food ration cuts, they talked about security and shelter in general and improving the services that are provided,” she said.

“The minister of interior has an idea of preparing police force for the refugees only, it will not be confused with other units of police,” said Bol John Akot, commissioner for South Sudan’s commission for refugee affairs.

Gorum Refugee settlement was established in October 2010 initially to host Anyuak refugees from neighboring Ethiopia.