At least 2,600 South Sudanese returnees have arrived in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State from various states in the war-torn Sudan since January according to security and humanitarian officials.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj over the weekend, Lual Awach, Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) chairperson in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State, said that 2,600 returnees and an unidentified number of Sudanese refugees have arrived in the state from Sudan’s West Kordofan and South Darfur states.
“The returnees and Sudanese refugees are still arriving from Sudan and we have received 2,600 returnees who came from Sudan between January and February,” he revealed. “They come daily via Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s borderlines with Sudan’s West Kordofan and East Darfur states.”
On whether the returnees and refugees were receiving sufficient aid, Awach disclosed that there was overwhelming demand for food, medical services, and shelters.
A member of Northern Bahr el Ghazal State’s security committee who spoke on condition of anonymity said they were monitoring the continuous arrivals from Sudan.
“We indeed receive returnees from different states of Sudan like Al Jazirah and they enter South Sudan via our state (Northern Bahr el Ghazal State) and proceed to Warrap, Western Bahr el Ghazal, and other states,” he said.
On her part, Abuol Akok Akok, the Aweil West County Commissioner, said they last received returnees and refugees from Sudan in early February.
“We do receive them (returnees) and the last group arrived on 5 February and I have inspected their camps,” she stated. “In the meantime, I do not have their exact numbers and I beg you to give me enough time to gather the right information for you.”