Sweden Supports Returnees and Refugees in South Sudan
moatinoon
Sweden has announced providing a sum of 30 million Swedish kronor (2.9 million US dollars) for the efforts of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) in South Sudan, according to a statement released last Tuesday.
This announcement came at the conclusion of a visit by Swedens Minister for International Development Cooperation, Diana Janse, to South Sudan accompanied by UN Deputy High Commissioner for Refugees, Kelly Clements, during a three-day visit to witness the impacts of the Sudanese conflict, which has led to one of the most complex and challenging humanitarian crises in the world, both inside Sudan and in neighboring countries.
Janse stated, "Sweden will remain engaged in supporting refugees in South Sudan and the hundreds of thousands fleeing the crisis in Sudan."
She added, "In addition to our core funding to all major UN entities on the ground, the Swedish government decided a few days ago to allocate specifically 30 million Swedish kronor (2.9 million US dollars) for UNHCRs response efforts in South Sudan."
The officials visited the town of Renk, where hundreds of thousands of South Sudanese returnees and Sudanese refugees have arrived since April 2023, fleeing the conflict.
Over 640,000 people have fled to South Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in Sudan a year ago, with over half a million of them being South Sudanese, many of whom had never lived in South Sudan before. The crisis has placed immense pressure on South Sudans economy, and many returning citizens are now trying to integrate into areas that were already struggling.
According to the 2024 South Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan, 75% of the countrys total population is in need of humanitarian assistance.
In Juba, the delegation met with Foreign Minister James Pitiya Morga and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Albino Akol Atak Mayom, while Clements met with Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng de Mabior and Interior Minister Angelina Teny. While Janse and Clements praised South Sudan for keeping its borders open and enhancing refugees access to job opportunities, they also emphasized the need for the government to lead response efforts and provide access to basic services for its returning citizens.
Commenting on Swedens recent decision to gradually phase out its bilateral development assistance, Janse said, "While we are committed to continuing to play a prominent role in the humanitarian response to this crisis, what we ultimately hope to see in the coming years is South Sudan breaking the pattern of excessive reliance on international aid and taking the lead in country development through its own resources and political will."
Clements and Janse also witnessed on Saturday an example of community support to break the cycle of dependency when they visited the UNHCRs "Pockets of Hope" project in southeastern South Sudan, where many South Sudanese returnees have settled after living in refugee camps in Uganda.
