Stranded South Sudanese returnees in Renk’s Payuar camp in Upper Nile state say humanitarian conditions have continued to worsen over the last year.
The returnees are South Sudanese citizens who went back to their home country from Sudan following southern independence in 2011, but have been unable to return to their areas of birth.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj, several returnees said they are lacking food and shelter since fighting erupted in South Sudan in December 2013.
They said humanitarian organizations have stopped operations in the area due to insecurity. The conflict-affected citizens called upon humanitarian organizations and the government to help them as soon as possible before their conditions deteriorate further.
“We urge the relevant authorities to transport us to our areas of origin,” said one of the stranded returnees.
In October last year, the High Committee of Payuar camp delivered a petition to South Sudan’s Vice President James Wani Igga in which they requested him to support the transport of stranded returnees to their respective areas across South Sudan.
Photo: Patients waiting at a medical clinic in Wonthou, Renk County (Medair / Wendy van Amerongen)