UNHCR hails South Sudan for hosting refugees

The outgoing Country Representative of the United Nations Higher Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has hailed South Sudan for being receptive to refugees over the years since it’s independence.

“As head of the UN refugee agency, the most shining good news story for me is the treatment of refugees in this country, south Sudan is a new nation, it is a nation that is just building itself and yet it is a nation that has always welcome into its territory refugees,” said Arafat Jamal while delivering his farewell message during press conference held on Tuesday in Juba.

Arafat said South Sudanese authorities have allowed refugees access to land and clean water.

“I would say, the first sign of hope that I see in this country concern the treatment of the refugees, it is worth highlighting because not every country including much richer and more prosperous countries treat refugees like South Sudan treats them,” he said.

Arafat said that refugees from neighboring have been allowed to work across the country.

“This has been recognized in particular by the World Bank which in recognition of this has given a grant of 98 million U.S dollars to specifically be spent in areas that host refugees, and this money is intended for both refuges and hosts,” he said.

South Sudan hosts about 700,000 refugees from neighboring countries like Ethiopia, Sudan and Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

UNHCR and the South Sudan government in April agreed to secure the safe repatriation of some elderly refugees from some of these countries.

The agreement was reached during the high-level visit to Gorom settlement camp on the outskirts of Juba, where 4,000 refugees are currently staying after fleeing conflict in their respective countries.