Some 960 refugees have returned from Kenya's Kahuma camp to Southern Sudan through Kapoeta way station since repatriation from there began in December 2006.
Returnees at Kapoeta way station
The way station, just north of the Sudan-Kenya border, received its most recent group of 40 refugees on 28 June in a biweekly programme organized by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Returnees stay at the way station for about 24 hours before traveling to Torit, Kapoeta, Schudum, Lopa, Imehejek and Ikotos, said Sadarah Alumai, of the UNHCR partner organization GTZ.
Sadarah Alumai
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Although refugees have continued to stream in, Mr. Alumai noted that most Sudanese in Kenya were still reluctant to return due to conflicts in Kapoeta county, especially between the Toposa and Didinga cattle herders. "The government should work hard to prevent such events," he said.
Once at the way station, returnees receive three-month supplies of cereals, beans, oil, sugar, corn soya blend and salt, said Mr. Alumai. GTZ also provides them with blankets, mosquito nets, sleeping mats, plastic jerry cans, buckets, saucepans and sanitary articles for women.
Storekeeper at Kapoeta
Assisting them to restart their lives, the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) gives returnees pangas (knives for cutting down small trees), hoes, rakes and slashers (a longer instrument than the panga for clearing grass).
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