Northern Bhar el Ghazal state (NBGs) government has revealed plans to facilitate movement of their members returning from Sudan due to the ongoing conflict.
In a statement, the state Authorities acknowledged that some of their members returning Sudan due to the conflict on reaching the country got stuck in Abyei Administrative Area.
Last week the chairman of the Aweil community living in Abyei, Abraham Ariath Piol, told media that that over 2, 000 members from Northern Bahr el Ghazal state have been stranded in Abyei on their returned from Sudan.
Ariath expressed that the members failed to reach their destination in Aweil and other part of South Sudan due to lack of transport.
He reiterated the need for intervention to facilitate their transport as most of them faces hunger among other several challenges.
In respond to the above demand, Garang Makuei, the assistant press secretary in the office of the governor of Northern Bahr El Ghazal state, revealed that the State has met and tasked the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) to facilitate the process.
“Governor Simon Ober held a meeting with the chairperson of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) to conduct an assessment to determine the people living there based on the counties. So that when they are transported, they will be taken to their places,” Makuei said.
He added that after the assessment is completed, the government’s priority will be to transport vulnerable individuals to their counties.
“Vulnerable people will be taken first, and the rest will be transported in the next trips. The government is working hard to transport the stranded returnees living in the Abyei administrative area,” he added.
The Sudanese civil war, which began in mid-April 2023, has significantly affected both the Sudanese and South Sudanese populations.
The conflict resulted in widespread displacement, both internally and across the borders, creating a great humanitarian situation.
South Sudan, which shares a border with Sudan, continues to receive a huge influx of refugees and South Sudanese returning to their home country.
In 2023 the humanitarian community in South Sudan called for urgent funding to ensure that continued support for onward transportation for people fleeing the ongoing conflict in Sudan to neighbouring South Sudan.
Approximately 15,000 individuals arrive from Sudan weekly, aid agencies say.
Over 70% of the arrivals reportedly enter South Sudan through Renk’s Wunthow border entry point, of whom the vast majority are South Sudanese nationals. With no end to the Sudan conflict in sight, it is expected that the number of people seeking refuge in South Sudan will continue to rise in the coming period according to the report from Agencies in 2023.
