Ethiopian refugees in Juba want the elderly repatriated

 

Ethiopian refugees in the Gorom Refugee Camp near Juba have called on the government of South Sudan and the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) to facilitate the voluntary repatriation of their elderly people back to Ethiopia.

The plea was made on Friday during a visit to the camp by South Sudan's interior minister, the commissioner for refugee affairs, and UNHCR’s deputy country representative.

The camp chairman, Ojullu Ochan Ochan, said they want the elderly repatriated back to Ethiopia and those willing, to be naturalized as South Sudanese citizens.

“We are requesting for the resettlement for medical and other cases. We are looking for repatriation for the elderly people back to Ethiopia,” Ochan said. “We also asked them to interview those who want to be integrated into South Sudan communities so they can become citizens of South Sudan.”

“We have the issue of pastoralists affecting our farming activities. This resulted in no cultivation last year by both refugees and the host community,” he added.

Ochan also said the money given to them for food is not sufficient.

Interior Minister Mahmoud Solomon Agook said his office will ensure the safety and welfare of the refugees are taken care of.

"For us in the ministry of interior, we must make sure that you are in a safe place with good security. We must ensure that UNHCR and other NGOs that are in the camp are supplying you with food, health services, education, and other essential services,” Minister Agook said.

He said it is the right of the refugees, especially the elderly, to be repatriated back home.

“We do not have any objection. We will try to coordinate with relevant authorities such that they go back home safely and meet with their relatives,” he said.

Lt. Gen. Bol John Akot, the commissioner for refugee affairs, said a special police unit will be deployed to provide security for the refugees.

 "We have heard the complaints from your chairman and we are going to solve them. Also, the minister has come here to go and prepare a police force to provide the security for the refugees,” he said.

The Anyuak refugees from Ethiopia were relocated from Pochalla to Lologo and Gorom in Juba before South Sudan gained its independence in 2011.

According to the UNHCR, the Gorom Refugee Camp has 200,000 refugees.