Post conflict era: challenges encountered by returnees a case study of kajo keji county, south Sudan

Abstract

The report sets out the findings of a study to answer three specific research questions: ascertaining the factor that influence the decisions of refugees to return, exploring the obstacles to voluntary return, and exploring whether return to village of origin offers a sustainable durable solution to internal displacement. The research was conducted in Kajo Keji County in South Sudan. The study used both quantitative and qualitative methods for data collection. Findings from this research found out relative peace and security, poor living conditions in the camps coupled with very high cost of living in the camps were found to have substantial influence on the decision of Refugees to return. Secondly, with the exception of presence or number of dependents and vulnerability status, individual attributes such as sex, age, and marital status do not significantly influence decision to return. Thirdly, policies on provision of humanitarian assistance, distribution of return packages, and declaration of freedom of movement, and approach adopted by Government to resolve the 22 years of conflict were found to have significant influence over return decisions. The research reveals that all the factors that influence decision to return have both enhancing and constraining effects. The research also revealed several factors that hinder the sustainability of this durable solution. These include; poor access to basic public services particularly safe water and health services, food insecurity, and high level of income poverty further threatens the sustainability of return.