First air operations to return South Sudan IDPs start Monday
July 9, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Air operations to return IDPs to their home areas will commence for the first time since the return operations began. The first flight carrying IDPs to Yambio via Juba will depart Khartoum on 10 July, a joint UNMIS and IOm statement said today.
The IDPs flying to Yambio will first overnight in Juba at a way station managed by UNHCR/German Governmental Organization GTZ before flying to Yambio on two rotational flights on Wednesday, 11 July. On arrival in Yambio, they will be received by a reception committee comprised of local government officials and the local community.
Government vehicles will take them to a Way Station in Yambio where they will receive packages of basic household items to help start their new life. These packages are being provided for organized returns by the United Nations Joint Logistics Centre (UNJLC), the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and Non- Governmental Organization CARE.
They will also receive a three-month food ration from the UN World Food Programme (WFP) to cover their families’ initial needs at the Yambio Way Station operated by the local government. All IDPs originate from Yambio town and its immediate surroundings. They will be taken to their final destination on government busses.
IOM will have medical and escort teams in all flights to ensure a safe and dignified return for the IDPs. A Task Force, co-chaired by representatives of GNU, GoSS and the United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS), oversees the implementation of the Joint Plan for Returns.
Since operations under the Joint Plan commenced in early February, 43,000 IDPs have been assisted to return home in different areas in Southern Sudan and Southern Kordofan from a number of locations in Sudan. Around half of those assisted have departed from Khartoum. This includes 451 IDPs who arrived safely to Lakes and Jonglei States by barge from Kosti in the past few days. In addition, 36,000 refugees have been assisted to return home by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and IOM this year.
(ST)