By Obiala Angel De-son – Torit
More than 600 returnees have arrived in Kapoeta North County from Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya since last week, local authorities have confirmed.
Speaking to Radio Emmanuel 89FM, Hon. David Naye, Commissioner of Kapoeta North County, revealed that 630 households have returned to the area since last month—most of them women, children, and the elderly—facing dire hunger and lack of basic services.
Hon. Naye noted that many of the returnees are struggling to find food and shelter, with women resorting to casual labor for survival.
“As we talk now, the population is over 600 households—families who returned from the refugee camp in Kenya. Currently, they are facing challenges of food and shelter. There is land, but they need capital to start building houses. We tried advising them to return to where they had lived before seeking refuge, but it is challenging—their houses are destroyed, some relatives have died, and there’s nothing to eat. So we have advised them to do casual work to survive.”
According to Commissioner Naye, limited support from UNHCR has left some returnees with no option but to trek from the camp. Others were assisted by relatives with transport. Many are now living under trees due to the lack of shelter, while women collect firewood and fetch water in the bush to provide for their families.
“They started arriving last month due to the Kenyan government shutting down camps. Some had no access to transportation because they lacked connections with UNHCR. Many had to walk. Some are now living under trees because their relatives have passed away. We continue registering data and sharing it with state and national authorities. Food remains a major challenge, and women go into the bushes to collect firewood and water just to get something to eat.”
Hon. Naye stressed that the returnees’ situation remains precarious and called on both the host community and the returnees to engage in agricultural activities to improve their livelihoods.
“If we are all here—whether it’s suffering or success—we are South Sudanese and we must face it together. Among the returnees are professionals—technocrats, doctors, teachers—whose presence will benefit South Sudan. That’s why we continue to encourage them to engage in agriculture.”
The commissioner made the remarks during a phone interview from Kapoeta North County.