The Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC) in South Sudan’s Torit State says it will aid in reintegrating ten families who arrived in the state on Saturday from Jonglei State.
The families, originally from Eastern Equatoria region had been displaced by the 2013 conflict forcing them to take refuge at the United Nations Protection of Civilian Sites in Jonglei state.
Speaking to Radio Tamazuj on Saturday, Torit state RRC director John Odongi expressed gratitude to the United Nations and its partners for facilitating the return of the displaced families.
The families, he said will be transported to their respective counties.
“We receive a number of 10 households and 29 individuals. 14 are going to Nimule, 9 are going to Budi, 4 are going to Ikotos and 2 are in Torit County,” Odongi said.
He added, “upon their arrival, the local authorities in coordination with partners in the ground will begin to resettle them and they will be integrated within the host community. Then other provisions like food and nonfood items will also be provided by our partners on the ground including seeds and tools.”
Odongi said the September peace deal has motivated internally displaced persons to return to their homes with the hope of peace, saying he anticipates more returnees from the neighboring countries.
Sabina Nakang, a mother to 3 children says life in the POC was difficult despite the support from the UN.
“We came from Bor UNMISS of Jonglei. We were there since 2013 crisis started that is where we have been. Now we got a chance with the UN, we ask that we want to go to Torit that is why we arrived today,” she said.
She said she is ready to resettle and cultivate to sustain her family.
Lucia Naboi another IDP in the same POC says with the signed agreement, she is happy to reach home and interact with her community
“What made us shelter at UNMISS is because there was destruction. And now the country is now ok it means someone can move to the village. We are very much tired because we stayed there as if it was a prison. And now that peace has come everyone can go to their own places to cultivate and feed their children,” she added.
Naboi said she has not seen her husband who is a soldier since the conflict in 2013, and appealed to the country’s leadership to ensure that peace prevails so that families can be reunited.