An official said the process of receiving, hosting and settling returnees from the North in Lakes State is going on smoothly and thanked UN organizations, NGOs, the state government and the public for the way they received returnees.
Philip Kot Job is the Director of Southern Sudan Rehabilitation and Relief Commission in Lakes State. He told Good News Radio that Lakes State received 1,209 returnees from the North out of the expected 4,000.Mr Kot said all the returnees received food rations and other items like mosquito nets and blankets.
He informed that the returnees destined for Yirol and Cueibet counties were already transported to their destinations.
Mr Kot said Lakes State government will provide land to the returnees for temporary settlement for up to three years while they decide where to settle permanently.
He added that returnees will pay for the land for permanent settlement one or two years after they got it.
Mr Kot said returnees with particular skills would be integrated in the different departments of the local government.
Mr Kot r said that vulnerable were flown to South Sudan, including the old, children, expectant women and those who have just delivered.
He also said that the state government is observing the cultural way of welcoming family members by slaughtering a bull for every new group of returnees that arrives and sharing a meal together.