UN reports over 1.4M South Sudanese refugees return to home country since 2018
Date
7/22/2024 4:05:58 AM
(MENAFN) According to the latest report from the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC), over 1.4 million South Sudanese refugees have returned to their home country between the signing of a revitalized peace agreement in October 2018 and May 31, 2024. This significant repatriation effort underscores the ongoing shifts in the dynamics of displacement and return in the region.
As of the end of May 2024, there are still approximately 2.2 million South Sudanese refugees dispersed across various neighboring countries. Uganda hosts the largest number of these refugees, with 939,538 individuals. Following Uganda, Sudan accommodates 668,847 refugees, while Ethiopia shelters 422,107. Kenya is home to 181,963 South Sudanese refugees, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) has 53,621. The Central African Republic, which has the smallest refugee population, hosts 2,813 South Sudanese refugees.
The main reasons cited by refugees for their return to South Sudan include the desire to reunite with family members, improvements in the security situation within South Sudan, and the need to assess their land, property, and housing. Conversely, the reasons for leaving their host countries were primarily related to insecurity, a lack of employment and economic opportunities, and reductions in food rations within refugee camps.
In May 2024 alone, 41,600 South Sudanese refugees returned home, marking a slight increase compared to the previous month. This uptick is attributed to several factors: growing insecurity in some host countries, notably Sudan; reduced food rations; and diminished employment and livelihood opportunities in various parts of the region. The report indicates that these conditions have influenced the decision of refugees to return to South Sudan, highlighting the complex interplay of factors driving refugee movements in the region.
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