Refugee calls on UN to fund repatriation

JUBA – A South Sudanese refugee who is living in the camp in Uganda is calling on United Nations to lobby for funds to help in the repatriation.

Ali Angelo is a South Sudanese who sought refuge in one of the camps in the Adjumani District of Northern Uganda before and after the war of South Sudan in 2016. She crossed the border of Uganda to South Sudan to participate in the recent centenary of Loa Parish in Torit.

Speaking to City Review during the celebration, Ali said life in the refugee camp is frustrating and they (refugees) want to come back and rebuild their homes that were destroyed during the conflict. He expressed the concerns urging the government and other well-wishers to act quickly on the matter.

Urge to begin anew

Ali said they do not have access to farmlands and their children are not in schools adding that accessing health services is also a big challenge, especially when a refugee is referred then he or she can take a day or more to get the service.

“The first quick action is [that] UN agencies should lobby for funds for our return to make easy means and rehabilitation. Of course, we have the structures like this hospital which will help us a lot. There was a laboratory but all the equipment has been taken,” Ali lamented.

He said the list of priorities that should be considered before their return include hospitals, schools, clean drinking water, communication systems ‘‘so that we should be able to access any information very first’’.

“Like yesterday, there were over 7,000 people here in Loa and there was a difficulty, some people did not bathe for three days because of a shortage of water. Even myself I did not take bath, I only drank it because I thought if I was to take bath, the water would not be enough,” Ali emphasized.

Ali revealed that many challenges are facing them as refugees in the camps from the side of the host community who do not cooperate with them, besides the insufficient basic services making it difficult for the refugees to continue staying in the camps.

He urged the international community to help the government of South Sudan speed up the implementation of the peace agreement to allow the refugees to visit their homes.

“I came with my daughter who is 13 years old, she became shocked and that is when she started to develop trauma after she saw the houses that were destroyed and she asked me what happened here and I told her I will explain it when we go back to Uganda,” Ali said.

Meanwhile, Allehone Abebe, UNHCR assistant representative for protection (pictured) said UNHCR is working with the government of South Sudan on a national strategy for return and reintegration, durable solution, and action plan that details actions the development actors under the leadership of the government should do in nine priority areas.

“This includes some of the key issues in the areas of basic services, peace and security. How we can establish a rule of law? How can we resolve conflicts in the areas of return and how can we set up government institutions? Some of them need to be done in mid return level and some need to be done in long term vision, but their immediate needs are they want basic services,” Allehone told The City Review newspaper.

Although there has been improvement in security in some areas since the signing of the 2018 revitalized peace agreement, Allehone believes that the existence of sub-national level violence happening in several parts of the country poses physical risks to returnees where the violence is happening.

“We as UNHCR believe that the conditions in South Sudan in many areas are still presenting risks to the refugees for their return. But the simultaneous returns of refugees in some areas where they feel safe to tell us a story and we have to listen to the refugees are saying,” Allehone stated.

Allehone emphasized the need to organize proper repatriation of refugees and added that the UNHCR needs to survey some of the areas where the refugees will return and that can only happen when both governments agree.

“When you have organized repatriation, both government and the host have to agree and then in areas of return the country has to substantially stabilize and there has to be peace, stability and no active conflicts in areas where people are returning.

“Essential services are available, people feel safe and secure, in many places in South Sudan, there are areas that have not yet achieved this to organize proper repatriation program as we know it,” Allehone explained.

Thanks for reading! Got a story or article you want us to publish? Reach us on +211929321063, or send us an email at info@cityreviewss.com. To book your advertisement space, contact our sales team at advertising@cityreviewss.com.