“Our property was confiscated by armed personnel who broke into our homes, beat us and recruited boys without permission,” recalled Mary Kuot, a Sudanese crisis survivor who now lives in Warrap. Her sadness is palpable.
The ongoing fighting has prompted a flow of returnees from Khartoum to South Sudan fleeing for their lives.
In Kuajok, the Warrap state capital, nearly 5,000 newcomers who originally expected to return to their home counties are now living in a crowded transit area.
Their humanitarian needs are increasing every day.Hunger and disease are real and present threats that displaced people now face doubly. In addition, women and girls suffered gender-based and sexual violence on the arduous journey from Khartoum to South Sudan.
“About 18 children died from malnutrition and disease. We don’t have the resources to offer them a proper burial. In addition, nine women gave birth without adequate maternal medical supplies,” revealed Lina Abak Bak, a recent returnee leading an integrated patrol team from the United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) through the compound.
Purpose of the patrol: Assess the security situation in a given area and monitor respect for human rights and humanitarian needs.
“The records of the registered returnees living in Kuajok show that there are about 4,200 people and 700 families staying there. However, the actual number of people at the transit point is higher, and unregistered people planning to travel to other counties will seek temporary refuge there if possible,” said Santo Kual, head of the Warrap Returnee Community.
But despite all the difficulties, it is important that you continue to monitor and report all human rights violations, especially against women and children,” said Roda Sube, Gender Specialist at UNMISS.
“For our part, we are working with all partners to ensure returnees are safe in transit and able to reach their destination as quickly as possible.”
