The government of South Sudan has revealed plans to create a temporary shelter for those fleeing the war in neibouring Sudan, even as the big plan remains to evacuate as many as 10,000 a month from Paloch and Renk.
Albino Akol, South Sudan’s Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, said that those who have alternative shelters in the country will be relocated to their respective villages.
“If the number of refugees is more than 3000, the government will create a centre for them and connect them with their embassy in Juba. We are not creating a centre for returnees because these are our people and they are returning to the county. What we will do is facilitate their movement,” Albino Akol said Monday.
He said that there is a big influx of people, mostly nationals, who are fleeing the ongoing war in Khartoum.
Most of them are crossing into the country through the Upper Nile States.
“We will address the needs of the returnees by asking them where they are going so that the government will take them to their places,” said Albino, adding that on Sunday alone, the government successfully evacuated over 4,0000 people to Wau in Western Bahr el Ghazal.
On Monday, the directorate of immigration waived the visa requirement for Sudanese to facilitate a smooth evacuation process.
Other countries that may need their nationalities evacuated through South Sudan have been asked to make prior arrangements by communicating with the local authorities to avert potential cases where those running away from war may run into trouble with the local immigration officials, according to the Director General of Immigration, Atem Marol Biar.
While calling for better coordination between the affected and various government agencies, Albino implored international organisations and well-wishers to come on board and help in supporting what he termed a “potential humanitarian crisis”.
