Authorities transfer land to returnees in Unity State

Unity State is the first in Southern Sudan to provide land for returnees arriving from north Sudan and abroad.

Diew Charoaw Kuel, Minister of Physical Infrastructure in Unity State, said everyone returning from Khartoum has a right to acquire land to advance the process of development in the future South Sudan.

Speaking at a ceremony to transfer of three hectares of land to returnees in Bentiu, Kuel acknowledged the UNHCR and IOM for facilitating the returnees\' arrival.  He added that social services are available to everyone within the allocated areas in the state capital.

Over 120,000 returnees had arrived in Unity State before the south voted overwhelmingly to secede from the north in January\'s referendum.

Mary Nyamai of UNHCR said this represents the highest concentration of returnees to Southern Sudan, so re-integrating them would be \"especially challenging.\" She expressed hope that both the state government and other NGOs would aid the effort.

According to Nyamai, CARE International, World Vision and other aid organizations would supply returnees with building materials for construction of new homes in the re-allocated areas.

Nyaruai Gai Mayien, a brewer who spent ten years in Khartoum, praised the state government\'s commitment to bring the returnees back to Unity State.

\"We are happy to get new land to resettle and participate in the development of the state,\" she said.

Governor Taban Deng Gai expressed concern about the returnees’ needs, saying his first priority is to provide security and social services to every citizen in the state. He urged returnees to remain calm and show strength in building Africa\'s newest nation.