Sudanese refugees in Lelo, Upper Nile, refuse to be transferred to a camp in Unity state despite appeals by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). They say the agency “only focuses on their transfer but not on providing food.”
The refugees reportedly fled ongoing bombardments by the Sudanese Air Force in Werni, Nuba Mountains, which “not only targeted human beings, but also animals and crops”. This has prevented them from cultivating for the past two years, a source has told Radio Tamazuj.
UNHCR “insists” on transferring the refugees to camp Ajon Tok in Unity State, but a leader speaking to Radio Tamazuj from Lelo Payam said: “We are not going anywhere, we are going to stay to Lelo which is near our place and if we stay here we can help our relatives who are still on their way to South Sudan.”
Moving to Unity State, which is very far from Werni, would make the refugees’ return very difficult, the source further explained. “We are running from war and famine and any time the war and the famine are over we will return to our place,” he said. The leader also believes that going to Bentiu, in Unity State, means to forget about their land.
Another source pointed out that the “policies” of UNHCR are not clear: ”UNCHR is insisting to move us to Bentiu, which is where they claim to be able to give us support. But even here in Lelo and nearby Malakal the UNHCR can help us if they want.”
Refugee Ali Kunda claims they do not want to live “forever” in South Sudan and that when the war is over the plan is to return to their home place. He insisted that being in Lelo is “far better” because they can help those who may be coming from Sudan, fleeing the war.
“Some of us have family separated due to the war and other relatives and friends fleeing Sudan. So Lelo is the best place for us: we can cultivate and take our food to the market in Malakal. We have our people suffering there still and we need to help them,” he said.
A Lelo executive officer said the refugees were given a place in the area, but that the UNHCR “insists to take them to Bentiu.”
“The refugees do not pose any problems to the host community and they are leaving alongside each other in good heart. Their transfer to Bentiu is not because they pose any danger to my people in Lelo, but it is the policy of the UNCHR,” he said.
Related: Exclusive: Unreached Nuba refugees fled ‘new weapon’ (6 October 2013)