By Kei Emmanuel Duku
Commissioner of Morobo County in Central Equatoria State Charles Data Bullen, is urging international and national humanitarian organizations to provide support for returning residents.
The commissioner stressed the urgent need for basic social services, including shelter, non-food items, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) resources for the returning population in the county.
While Mr. Data could not confirm the exact number of returnees requiring assistance, he noted that the increase in returnees is linked to improved security conditions throughout the county.
He said relative peace has enabled many residents to resume their farming and business activities.
“I can’t ascertain the exact figures because I may over or underestimate but we have refugees in Panyume around 400, Morobo-200 and we also have returnees who come and enter their various villages across the Payams in the County and that is why we need an assessment at the entry point like in Kaya border and Khor Kaya to determine their population,” he said.
According to a report published by the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, more than 45,700 individuals have returned to their homes in Central Equatorial State as of January 2021.
The Commissioner noted that there is a need for more support from humanitarian organizations to help the vulnerable population to also attract more people to return home from the refugee camps in the neighbouring countries.
He noted that there is a need to reopen the previous refugee reception centre at Kaya-Oraba Border and other places to help track the number of returnees and provide basic amenities for the returning population.
“Those concerned should take note that returnees are coming and the displaced also need some assistance and if they respond, we shall see an increase in the number of those coming back home,” the commissioner appealed.
“In 2018 there was a base in the Kaya where refugees were received and were given shelter, food, and transport to take them to their various locations in Yei, Mugwo before they proceeded to their final destination, So, we need to reactivate this program so that they hear such services exist they will voluntarily come in big numbers,” he concluded.