Helping refugees return home

Joseph Ilkalur [Annie Bungeroth]

People returning to southern Sudan following the long civil war receive help to build their own homes and grow their own food, thanks to the Sudan Catholic Bishops Regional Conference (SCBRC)

The south-west corner of Sudan is seeing a steady stream of thousands of people returning home, many of whom have spent up to 20 years in refugee camps in neighbouring Uganda and Congo during the country’s bloody civil war.

But, after such a long absence, many complete the long-awaited journey home only to find their houses destroyed, and no means of supporting themselves.

Thankfully, the Diocese of Yei is on hand to provide seeds, tools and essential household items such as pots and pans, blankets and mosquito nets to families.

Supported by CAFOD partner SCBRC, the Diocese works with parish development committees, which identify returnees and register them so that they receive what they need. Some also received vouchers to buy food and seeds from the local market.

The market traders take the vouchers to the local authority to be signed and exchanged for money. This has also helped local farmers and the wider economy.

Joseph Ilkalur, SCBRC’s development coordinator, stresses that the development committees help all vulnerable families, not just those who go to church.

He says: “The biggest change is that people are beginning to have hope that at least they are welcome, somebody is concerned about them, wanting to be with them and give them encouragement to grow food and establish a family.

“I have not been in exile myself but I have been involved in Sudan for quite a long time and I’ve met these people so I feel it’s a call that I really want to see people settle down and establish a home.”

Supporting agricultural production

Nathaniel Brown welcomes refugees returning home and collects their names so CAFOD partner SBCRC can distribute household kits, seeds and tools to them [Annie Bungeroth]

Being at the crossroads of the routes connecting Sudan to Uganda and Congo meant Yei was a prosperous trading town before the long civil war. There was a big coffee-growing business there, and the land remains extremely fertile.

But, despite the civil war being over, farming has not yet returned to pre-war levels as people are afraid of the many unexploded landmines still in the ground.

SCBRC helps communities by renovating wells or providing access to local springs for those without water. It also trains rural communities in agricultural skills.

Although food and supplies are still being imported from Uganda to cover the shortfall in local food production, SCBRC trains families to prepare seed beds and prepare the ground for transplanting seedlings.

Nathaniel Brown welcomes people returning to the diocese and collects their names so that SBCRC can distribute the household kits, seeds and tools to them.

Schools that were destroyed during the war have yet to be rebuilt but Nathaniel is hopeful for the future.

“Once people have settled with our help they will be able to produce a lot of food.

“Then they will be able to get their children into school and we will be able to work together to help this area develop very easily.

“I can’t say peace will stay in Sudan for sure but I have to believe it will.”

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