The first batch of returnees stranded in Kosti, Sudan, for months on end has landed in Juba Monday morning.
Chairperson for Relief and Rehabilitation Commission Duer Tut Duer told the press at Juba Airport that three weeks ago the Khartoum government asked Juba to repatriate over 10,000 IDPs stranded in Kosti.He said due to security reasons the Government and IOM, the International Organization for Migrations, decided to fly the Kosti IDPs to Juba.
Mr Tut added that between 700 and 1,000 people are transported from Kosti to Khartoum by road and flown to Juba every day.
The first flight arrived this morning with 165 returnees on board.
Another three flights were expected today.
The airlift should conclude by the end of the month.
Central Equatoria Deputy Governor Manase Lomole Waya said state authorities have already identified at least four locations within Juba to accommodate the returnees until they are taken to their final destinations.
He added that Central Equatoria Government wants to receive the returnees with dignity.
Mr Lomole said since the numbers of the returnees expected in Juba are big, a group could receive temporary accommodation in Kuda, along the Juba-Terekeka road.