Members of the National Legislative Assembly summoned three ministers to explain how over 90 million Sudanese pounds allocated for the repatriation of returnees were spent.
The order followed a motion raised by members of the Committee of Gender and Social Welfare after they visit way stations in Khartoum, Renk and Kosti a couple of weeks ago and saw the poor conditions the waiting returnees live in.Mary Nawai, who is Deputy Chairperson of Gender and Social Welfare Committee, told CRN News that more than 30 thousand returnees are stuck in waiting centers living in very harsh and hostile conditions, with no enough food, medication and shelter.
She said the former and current ministers for Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management, James Kok and Joseh Lual Achuil, and the minister for Finance and Economic Planning, Kosti Manibe Ngai, have seven days to appear before the House.
She explained that from 93 million pounds budgeted to be used to transport returnees to South Sudan, 60 million are unaccounted for while some contractors are still waiting to get their dues.
She explained that IOM, the International Organization for Migrations, only transports returnees while their luggage is brought by the government.
James Kok, former minister of Humanitarian Affairs, told CRN News that his ministry received less than half of the 93 million pounds that were budgeted for repatriation.
He added that there were an extra 33 million directed by the President of the Republic to unknown recipients.
He explained that some contractors were not paid because the ministry of finance did not release 20 million pounds.
Although the UN reports that almost 360 thousand people have returned to South Sudan during the last 12 months, it notes that more than 300 thousands are still awaiting transportation from Sudan.
More efforts and resources are needed to deliver humanitarian assistance to the growing numbers of returnees waiting to be repatriated in Khartoum and Kosti.