Why only 517 refugees back to Sudan from Egypt
By Roba Gibia, for Sudan Tribune
Oct 17, 2006 (CAIRO) — When the voluntary repatriation office for humanitarian affairs commenced its work in Cairo last September, its target is to repatriate voluntarily great number of Sudanese refugees in Egypt. And in fact the office has got the blessing of the Egyptian authority, and is coordinating with the South Sudan Voluntary Repatriation Office in facilitating the voluntary repatriation process.
According to Ahmed Omar’s Office Manager of South Sudan Voluntary Repatriation Cairo office, as this date they have repatriated 517 refugees in six batches. These 517 repatriated refugees compose of 227 teenagers, 190 women and men and 100 underage children. And there are more than 250 refugees on waiting list and under processing.
Ahmed Omar stated that, the program of voluntary repatriation has got limited budget for repatriation of about 3,500 refugees, and the duration of program is six months. And it could be extended if the Ministry of South Sudan for Humanitarian Affairs could secure more funds for the continuation of the program. It is estimated that there are about 35,000 to 60,000 Sudanese refugees in Egypt excluding those Sudanese entering and departing Egypt weekly on commercial basis, and who wish also to be repatriated under this program. Thus, it is vital to differentiate and scrutinize between those having the refugee status (cards) and those are not.
There are some Egyptian offices opened in Cairo for voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees, but have got a long term program, its goal or objective is to train Sudanese refugees in various skills so that they can be self-reliant and independent, and upon their return home, they could contribute positively in the development of their country. But so far, we have not yet seen any practical or actual repatriation of Sudanese refugees from such offices!
There were also some NGOs which are assisting Sudanese refugees in Egypt since past years through various Churches, but so far these organizations have done little to avert the burden of the Sudanese refugee’s in Egypt, but rather they were utilizing Sudanese refugees for their own empowerment.
After visiting the humble office of South Sudan Voluntary Repatriation for Humanitarian Affairs in Cairo, it is imperative for the government of south Sudan and Ministry of South Sudan for Humanitarian Affairs with cooperation with the international organizations to fund and support the initiative of voluntary repatriation. The office indeed is doing a fabulous job, but requires some basic office equipment to run and coordinate its daily task, such as the telephone and computer. The office team or volunteers are working hard to accomplish their job, and using their personal mobile phones to coordinate their work, photocopying documents outside office and preparing weekly reports by hand-writing. Thus, it is imperative to provide basic office device to ensure the efficiency of the office work, and to maintain accurate records and reports. South Sudan Voluntary Repatriation Cairo office for Humanitarian Affairs can be reached via e-mail: [email protected]
If one may ask, as why during the past six weeks there was only a very small fraction of refuges returned to Sudan, and why some are leaving their families behind? Most of the refugees are hesitating and scared that they will be dumped in Khartoum, and will have no where to go or place to stay and instead prefer to be repatriated directly to south Sudan. And most of them are waiting for Khartoum office to be functional in order to coordinate and arrange their transportation directly to south. The delay in opening coordination office in Khartoum is the major reason retarding Ahmed Omar’s program for voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees in Egypt. Thus, most of the repatriated 517 refugees and those who are on waiting list or under processing have got relatives or friends in Khartoum. And due to the uncertainty and fear of being dumped in Khartoum, some repatriated refugees decided to leave their families behind.
(ST)