More than 1.4 million South Sudanese refugees have returned to their homeland since the signing of a revitalised peace agreement in October 2018, the UN refugee agency said Friday.
The influx of returnees comes as the region grapples with a humanitarian crisis, with 2.2 million South Sudanese displaced across neighbouring countries. Uganda hosts the largest number of refugees, followed by Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and the Central African Republic, according to a joint report by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the South Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (RRC).
The UNHCR said the primary reasons cited by refugees for returning home included family reunification, improved security conditions in South Sudan, and the desire to reclaim land, property, and housing. However, the report also highlighted that insecurity, lack of employment opportunities, economic hardship, and reduced food rations in refugee camps were among the factors driving people to leave their host countries.
Despite challenges, the number of South Sudanese returning home has steadily increased. In May alone, 41,600 people returned, marking a slight uptick from the previous month. The UNHCR attributed this increase to deteriorating conditions in some neighbouring countries, particularly Sudan, as well as limited economic prospects and food shortages in refugee camps.
