afrol News, 10 July - A flight carrying nearly 100 internally displaced persons (IDPs) Sudanese has been billed to leave the Sudanese capital Khartoum for Yambio in Western Equatoria on Tuesday, International Organisation of Migration (IOM) confirmed.

The start of air operations is a joint plan between the governments of Khartoum and Southern Sudan and the United Nations. It is aimed at helping tens of thousands of IDPs to return home this year.

The maiden flight will be followed by a further 15 rotations from Khartoum to destinations in Western and Central Equatoria in the coming weeks, with the IOM planning to airlift 1,600 IDPs to the two states.

Since the start of operations under the Joint Plan in early February, 43,000 IDPs have been assisted to return home to different areas in Southern Sudan and Southern Kordofan from a number of locations in Sudan. Around half of those assisted have departed from Khartoum. In the past few days, 451 IDPs have safely arrived in Lakes and Jonglei States after travelling by barge from Kosti.

Besides,36,000 Sudanese refugees living in neighbouring countries have been assisted to return home by UNHCR and IOM this year.

As with previous road and barge convoys, IDPs have registered for return at booths in Khartoum staffed by IOM personnel. The migration body has also carried out pre-departure medical screening of the IDPs.

The returnees flying to Yombio will first overnight in the Southern Sudanese capital of Juba at a way station managed by the German governmental organisation, GTZ, and UNHCR, before arriving at their destination on Wednesday, 11 July.

"On arrival in Yambio, they will be greeted by a reception committee comprised of local government officials and the local community," IOM officials said, adding that government vehicles will then take them to a way Station in Yambio operated by the local government.

"Here they will receive packages of basic household items provided by the UN’s Joint Logistics Centre, UNICEF and the NGO Care, to help start their new life. They will also receive a three-month food ration from the World Food Programme to cover their families’ initial needs."

With all the returnees originating from Yambio town and its immediate surroundings, they will then be taken to their final destination on government busses.

IOM will have medical and escort teams on all flights to ensure a safe and dignified return for the IDPs. A Task Force, co-chaired by representatives of governments of both Khartoum and Juba and the United Nations Mission in Sudan, oversees the implementation of the Joint Plan for Returns.

By staff writer

© afrol News

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