Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Khartoum (Fides Service)- In view of the start of organised repatriation - at the end of November, of the first of hundreds of thousands of refugees originally from southern Sudan at present sheltering in neighbouring countries, the United Nations’ High Commission for Refugees UNHCR is increasing its presence in the region.
UNHCR organised a first "go and see visit" for a group of refugees living in the Central African Republic. Two women and two men returned to the Central African Republic after a five day visit to southern Sudan, and returned with a positive opinion of a possible repatriation despite scarcity of infrastructures, health and education services.
These visits allow refugees to see for themselves the conditions in their home country so that can inform other refugees on the situation and all can make a conscious decision to repatriate.
The group of refugees in exile flew from Mboki camp in Central African Republic in western southern Sudan and visited their original areas Source Yubu and Mupoi where they were warmly welcomed.
Local officials in Tambura accompanied the refugees to Mboki camp in Central African Republic and asked the people in the camp to return to Sudan to help rebuild the country.
In the first part of the operation UNHCR will help 12,400 refugees from Mboki camp to repatriate before the end of the month. Due to very poor roads the refugees will travel from Mboki to Tambura by air. In Central African Rep., there are 36,000 refugees from Sudan and about 500,000 from other countries. In Sudan there are four million displaced persons from the southern region, 1.8 million in the capital Khartoum, 1.7 million in southern Sudan and 500,00 in east Sudan.
Besides repatriation operations in various countries, UNHCR is strengthening its position in southern Sudan. A team of emergency workers will leave from Geneva today 14 November. In view of the repatriation of 90,000 refugees from Ethiopia and 65,000 from Kenya the team will open offices in southern Sudan at Kapotea, Bor and Nasir.
A mobile team based in Juba will open transit stations for returning refugees. The emergency team from Geneva will leave with a cargo flight carrying 37 tons of equipment, including electronic and telecommunication instruments necessary for opening new offices and be operative as soon as possible.
The cargo will also carry tents for offices, camp store houses, security equipment, material paid by the Norwegian government. UNHCR operations in southern Sudan are still under financed with only 39 million dollars collected of the 76,3 requested. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 14/11/2005 righe parole)
