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UNHCR Sudan Operations: Sudan/Chad situation update 22, 07 Jul 2005

Attachments

SOUTH SUDAN
Security

The security situation outside Juba deteriorated, especially on the eastern side of the Nile towards Torit road, due to activities by the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). The prospect of free access to Juba from the Nimule and Torit roads remains uncertain and only the Juba-Rokon road and the Juba-Terekeka road are officially open. In Juba town, there has been, according to the police, an increase in crime, but it is being kept under control by enhanced police patrols. In Rumbek, Operation Lifeline Sudan (OLS) security officers briefed humanitarian agencies on the increased presence of soldiers and demobilized soldiers within the town and advised staff to take precautionary measures.

Quick profiling exercise of "returnee students"

The profiling exercise for returnee students organized by the Ministry of Education, UNICEF and UNHCR started on 4 July at the English schools of Buluk A basic school and Juba Day secondary school. UNICEF and UNHCR explained the interview method and its form to the school teachers who are now conducting the profiling exercise. It is expected that through 100 sample interviews from each of the basic and secondary schools, more information will be gained about the students' return movements.

Returnees in Malakal

ADRA reported that one IDP group of 130 families (674 persons) arrived in Malakal on 5 July heading for Baliet, Adong and Galashiel on Sobat Corridor. Another IDP group of 22 families (79 persons) arrived in Malakal by barge from Kosti on 6 July heading for Nasir, Ayod as well as Old Fanjak and Tonga on Tonga Corridor. During a visit to Khorfur village on Sobat Corridor, it was discovered that 10 returnees from Kakuma (Kenya) flew from Loki (Kenya) to Atar (located on Tonga Corridor), where a conference with SPLM/A leaders took place in May. From Atar, the returnees arrived in Khorfur by boat. According to the women's association, the local population is constructing an airstrip so that the SPLM/A can deliver goods and repatriate refugees.

Return from the Democratic Republic of Congo

The verification/registration exercise for Aba, Dungu and Doruma sites and surrounding localities hosting Sudanese refugees in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was completed on 5 June. A total of 7,657 refugees out of an expected total of 8,411 have been verified and registered. This decrease in figures is basically the result of several spontaneous returns to South Sudan since the signature of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement in January 2005. It appears that some refugees have gone back to Sudan to prepare the return of family members. Another reason for the decrease in figures is the over estimation of the refugee population living outside of official settlements. During the verification/registration exercise, refugees were asked to express willingness to return. Almost 99 percent of the refugees living on sites are willing to return home, while only 50 percent of the refugees living outside of official settlements are willing to return to Sudan since the majority are well integrated among Congolese. They belong mostly to the Kakwa, Zande, Baka, Mondo and Avokaya ethnic groups who live on both sides of the DRC and Sudan borders. Very few expressed fear about returning to Sudan or staying in the DRC.

Return from the Central African Republic

There have been reports of spontaneous returnees to South Sudan from Mboki camp in the Central African Republic (CAR), but the exact number of refugees who spontaneously left the camp cannot be confirmed. Since the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement at the beginning of the year, an unknown number of refugees have gone back to South Sudan, especially to Tambura and Yambio counties. There are reports that the returnees to Tambura county have been mistreated at the border crossing point in Obo Prefecture.

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