Background
The signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement (CPA) in 2005 marked a turning point in the history of Sudan. In the same year, UNHCR re¬established its presence in Southern Sudan with main objectives to facilitate the return and reintegration of Sudanese refugees. Since then, close to 330,000 Sudanese have returned home from exile. This represents around 75% of the 428,000 who were registered as refugees in neighboring countries at the beginning of 2005.
An estimated 2.5 million IDPs returned home during the same period. National elections finally took place in April 2010 amidst reports of party boycotts in the run up to the polls as well as mass irregularities during the voting period. These elections are a critical milestone as the country edges closer to the referendum that is slated for January 2011 when the people of South Sudan will choose between independence or continued inclusion in a unitary Sudanese state.
UNHCR has an important role and obligation to play in Southern Sudan through its continued engagement before and after the 2011 referendum. Without concerted commitment to make the return sustainable, the success story of the returns can turn into “failure” with new population displacements both external and internal. While the returns have progressed elsewhere, there are still areas of potential high return such as Akobo, Jonglei State, Nasir and Mabaan, Upper Nile State where due to the insecurity caused by the inter¬tribal conflicts, the returns have been so far insignificant.
With advancement of the CPA implementation, UNHCR is reorienting itself especially to intervene in newly arising challenges of statelessness, asylum building, and durable solutions of IDPs while continuously monitoring and advocating for sustainable return. All these efforts are geared to bring lasting peace and stabilization to Southern Sudan.
Voluntary Repatriation and Reintegration
UNHCR continues to assist Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons to return home and to facilitate their initial reintegration into Sudanese society. The return journey involves conducting verification and screening of individuals, supporting persons with special needs, managing way stations and providing a modest amount of cash grants for transport and early reintegration. Returnees receive reintegration packages containing mosquito nets, blankets, sleeping mats, jerry cans, buckets, soap, cooking sets, plastic sheets, seeds and agricultural tools (provided by FAO) and an initial three¬month food ration (provided by WFP). READ FULL DOCUMENT