12,000 Returnees Ask for Farming and Security Support in Yei

(Yei) – Thousands of South Sudanese who have voluntarily returned home to Yei River County from refugee camps in Uganda and the Democratic Republic of Congo are calling on the government and humanitarian partners to ensure security and provide agricultural support to help them rebuild their lives.

The returnees, many of whom fled Yei during the 2016 conflict, say the worsening conditions in refugee camps have pushed them to return home despite ongoing insecurity and limited resources. Camps such as Bidi-Bidi, Rhino, Luruja, and Omogo in Uganda and Meri in DRC have seen drastic reductions in aid as humanitarian agencies scale back services due to global funding cuts.

Mathew Ade, a father of seven who returned from Bidi-Bidi last week, said he came back early to assess the security situation, repair his home, and start farming before bringing his family back by the end of the year. He stressed that peace and security are the most important factors in encouraging more people to return.

“If we feel safe, others will return. But when they hear about fighting and abductions, they are afraid,” said Ade.

He also highlighted the lack of access to farm tools, seeds, and land. Ade appealed to the county, state, and national governments, as well as NGOs, to provide farming inputs to support self-reliance. He noted that relying on inconsistent food aid was no longer sustainable and that returnees are ready to grow their own food if supported.

“My message to the government and NGOs is that returnees urgently need tools and seeds. With the rain season here, we can start farming instead of waiting for food aid,” he added.

Ade explained that conditions in the camps have worsened. He said food and cash assistance are now limited to only the most vulnerable groups like the elderly and pregnant women. He urged the government to ensure lasting peace in Yei and neighboring counties to allow for full resettlement.

Rose Modo, another returnee who came back from the Meri camp in DRC last month, said her family is now staying in the Hai Peace area of Yei. She returned because cash assistance from aid agencies had stopped. Modo wants to start farming and called on the government to protect civilians and promote economic activities such as agri-business.

She also called on humanitarian groups in Yei to offer skills training and farm support, especially for women. According to her, such support can help women become financially independent and rebuild their lives.

Mobe Moses, the Director of the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission in Yei, confirmed that over 12,000 people have voluntarily returned from Uganda and DRC since the beginning of the year. Most of them return to their communities before reporting to local chiefs and the commission for registration.

“These returnees are coming back because life in the camps is unbearable due to reduced humanitarian support,” said Moses. “Now that they’re home, they need seeds and tools to grow their own food and rebuild their lives.”

However, he said the commission currently lacks the resources to assist the returnees and appealed to development partners to support the resettlement and reintegration process.