By Hou Akot Hou
Northern Bahr El Gazal state (NBGs) officials have called on Norwegian Ambassador to the South Sudan, Roar Haugsdal to provide more Humanitarian aid amidst influx of returnees and refugees in the state.
The appeal comes a result of a visit by the Ambassador Haugsdal in the state to acquaint himself and his accompanying delegation with the situation of the refugees in the camps.
Aweil Center county Commissioner, Magdelina Alkakiir Dut said largest camp, Wadwil refugee settlement sum up hundreds of returnees who stationed in Bar-nyiwic area.
“As you can see the land is large, and there are a lot of returnees that are coming, and we urge you to look into their needs to help them” She appeals
She hailed the work of the Norwegian government did to the organization known as the Norwegian Refugee Council, NRC, as it has established infrastructural facilities such as the water yards among others including trauma healing and psychosocial support centers in both Wadwil and Bar-nyiwic camps respectively.
Alkakiir emphasized that the Norwegian government has manifested a tremendous work and commitment for empathetic work they had taken to deliver the aid to the returnees who are languishing in the cold.
The commissioner called for more to be done as they(returnees) can farm but do lack tools to toll for themselves.
However, while addressing government officials and the returnees at Bar-nyiwic camp, Ambassador Haugsdal reiterated their position as committal and adherent to the principles of humanitarian aid.
“I have been visiting the outskirts of Aweil to see the great work the NRC is doing in collaboration and cooperation with the local government here in Northern Bhar El Gazal. The idea here is to make sure that South Sudanese people returning from Sudan are being reintegrated into their communities” he said.
“What we have seen is that it is a great testimony that NRC and the government of Northern Bahr El Gazal have done especially to the H.E the governor for making the land available” he added.
Haugsdal underscored they are helping the communities to create durable solutions in order to help themselves through different livelihood projects that they fund.
“For this case and we shall do what it takes to help the state’s citizens who are returning back” the ambassador Haugsdal said.
Meanwhile, the minister of peace building, Peter Kuot Dut who accompanied the ambassador to Wadwil refugee settlement camp applauded the work done by the humanitarian actors in the area.
“We are appreciating everyone as durable solution is what is needed. We need accompanying support like schools, health facilities, road access as we have seen the school built in Bar-Nyiwic camp” he said.
“We are happy for such support, and we need more from such ambassadorial representatives to our country to do such support to the returning communities in the county” the ministe.
In the face of the crises that still loom in the country, most of the embassies have threatened to vacate South Sudan if the agreement which was expected to be binding is not respected as sustainable developmental goals initiatives are not being adhered.
As humanitarian organizations are doing all they could but less is being added by the ruling government as the prospectives from the citizens are not promising as the hopes are dwindling.