By Carmela Santino Anthony
The Fertit Unity Forum of Western Bahr el Ghazal State has launched an initiative to support the return of about 600 South Sudanese stranded in Sudan, amid worsening living conditions caused by the ongoing conflict.
The initiative, which began as a WhatsApp group, aims to mobilize resources to help South Sudanese citizens stranded in Kosti, Sudan, return safely to South Sudan.
Speaking to media houses in Wau on Friday, David Lawrence, Deputy Chairperson of the Fertit Unity Forum and Chairperson of the Returnees’ Repatriation Initiative Committee in Wau, said many South Sudanese in Kosti are struggling to meet their basic needs because of the war in Sudan.
Lawrence said the Fertit community established the initiative to assist fellow South Sudanese affected by the conflict and thanked individuals who have already contributed to the repatriation effort.
He said the initiative is targeting approximately 600 South Sudanese, particularly those from Western Bahr el Ghazal, for transportation back to Wau.
Although the initiative was established by members of the Fertit community, Lawrence emphasized that it is intended to support returnees from across Western Bahr el Ghazal State.
He said the first group of returnees has already started its journey from a camp in Kosti to Renk and then Malakal, from where they are expected to be flown to Wau with support from the Minister of the National Human Rights Commission.
Lawrence expressed appreciation to the minister for supporting the repatriation process.
The initiative chairperson appealed to the people of Western Bahr el Ghazal, including businesspeople, government officials, organizations, companies, media houses and other stakeholders, to support the returnees with whatever assistance they can provide.
He said many of the returnees have spent years outside the country, with some having left as far back as the 1990s, and will require basic necessities as they rebuild their lives after returning from a conflict-affected area.
Lawrence said the returnees should be welcomed and supported so that they do not feel like strangers in their own country.
He encouraged individuals and organizations willing to contribute to visit the Community Empowerment for Progress Organization (CEPO) center in Wau, where assistance for the returnees is being coordinated.
The first group of returnees is expected to arrive in Wau within two weeks, according to Lawrence.
He said the CEPO center remains open to individuals, organizations and other stakeholders willing to contribute to the repatriation and reintegration of the South Sudanese returning from Sudan.