Fresh Wave of Returnees Lands in Abyei
The quiet of Abyei’s Youth Center broke on Thursday as 125 households—roughly 625 people—stepped off buses from Wau airport. Mayor William Ajang Kuol Dau called the scene “another testament to community resilience.”
City officials say this marks the third and fourth chartered flights since fighting flared in Sudan last April, pushing families southward toward relatives in the contested administrative area.
Route from Renk to Safety
Most travellers began in Renk, Upper Nile State, where river transport stalled amid insecurity. They were airlifted by government-coordinated flights to Wau, then moved by road to Abyei, a journey spanning two states and several checkpoints.
Dau noted that scheduling constraints require grouping passengers by household. “Flights dictate our rhythm; we process arrivals as corridors open,” he explained.
Family Networks Cushion Reintegration
Reintegration teams from the Relief and Rehabilitation Commission are pairing newcomers with extended family inside Abyei town or neighbouring counties. According to RRC director Santino Mou, no household is left without kin-based shelter.
Yet basic goods remain scant. Mou reported that World Food Program rations last reached Abyei three months ago, while the caseload now exceeds 1,500 households.
Humanitarian Gaps and Appeals
The National Ministry of Health dispatched kits for children, pregnant women and elders, easing initial screenings. Local nurses say malaria treatment and prenatal supplements top immediate needs.
Mou urged broader engagement. “International partners have saved lives here before; the same solidarity is still required,” he said, appealing for food, blankets and hygiene supplies as rains approach.