IOM completes IDPs return air operation to South Sudan

August 8, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — The International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced on Tuesday that its air operations to help internally displaced people (IDPs) from Khartoum to their areas of origin in the country the country has ended.

A total of 1,530 IDPs returned by air to Central and Western Equatoria States since the air operations began in mid July, the UNMIS reported in its daily news bulletin.

The air returns were part of a Joint Organized Return Programme of the Government of National Unity, the Government of Southern Sudan, the UN and IOM in which 63,000 South Sudanese IDPs will be helped to return to their former homes in 2007, which many have not seen for more than 20 years. So far, nearly 45,000 displaced South Sudanese have been assisted by road, barge and air since the programme began in early February.

All the IDPs were medically screened and vaccinated prior to their departure by an IOM health team at the El Salam Departure Centre on the outskirts of Khartoum. Upon arrival in Juba, the returnees were provided accommodation at the UNHCR and German Technical Corporation (GTZ) operated way station. They were subsequently assisted by IOM to their final destinations in Western and Central Equatoria states.

On arrival at their final destinations, returnees were given a three-month food ration by the World Food Programme (WFP). The United Nations Mission in Sudan (UNMIS) has been assisting the air operation by providing cargo flights to transport the luggage of the returnees to Juba.

(UNMIS)