By Bida Elly David
Government of South Sudan has formed an inter-ministerial committee as a remedy to resolve the on-going crisis impeding returnees and refugees fleeing the conflict in Sudan.
Addressing journalists on Friday, the national minister of information, Michael Makuei Lueth said that the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management leads the committee.
Refugees and returnees camping in Paloch and Renk have been hit by serious of humanitarian crisis as two third of the population lacks basic and medical needs, while huge influx takes the lead.
According to the information minister, refugees in Renk and Paloch face serious humanitarian crisis as the rate of demand for food, shelter and water keeps rising.
Makueth said that the ministerial committee will take lead to ensure continuous registration of refugees and returnees fleeing Sudan as well as facilitate extension of any humanitarian relief to the needy.
“The minister has set up a technical inter-ministerial committee to oversee the registration and organization of the returnees and the refugees’’ Makuei said.
He noted that quick intervention of the gov’t and partners for relief is needed to avoid outbreak of diseases that will renew government’s burden.
The total arrival of both returnees and refugees from Sudan has reached 32,300 people, according to assessments, with more still on their way.
Over 1.2 million South Sudanese were living in Sudan, but few have yet found way back to their home country when conflict broke out in Khartoum on 15th April.
Makuei noted that there were returnees who entered through other entries and have not been registered while others refused to report to anybody because they have their own means to their home areas.
He underscored efforts of the government and partners to ensure the continuous influx of refugees is handled through complete humanitarian support to avoid triggering of risk and other uncertainties.