Sudan says 45% of displaced people in Darfur return home

July 28, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese General Commissioner of Humanitarian Aid Hasabo Mohamed Abdel-Rahman announced on Saturday that 45 percent of displaced people in the western Sudanese region of Darfur had returned to their villages.

He told a press conference that the number of returnees in North Darfur State reached 81,762 households, in West Darfur State, 78,846 and in South Darfur State, 76,841.

Describing the humanitarian situation in Darfur as stable, the Sudanese official noted that his government undertook the rebuilding of 200 villages in Darfur.

Hasabo indicated that a number of factors contributed to the voluntary repatriation of displaced people, including tribal reconciliation and the efforts exerted by national and international organizations and facilities by the government.

Armed conflicts erupted in Darfur in February 2003, leading to the displacement of some 1 million people.

A peace agreement signed by the Sudanese government and a main rebel faction in May 2006 stipulates that the displaced people should be helped to return to their homelands.

(Xinhua)