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Transcript/Script((PLAYBOOK SLUG: SSUDAN SUDAN RETURNEES
HEADLINE: 1,000 South Sudanese Per Day Returning Home Due to Sudan Conflict
TEASER: Most arrive in the remote town of Renk where the authorities and aid groups struggle to care for them
PUBLISHED AT: 7/25/23
BYLINE: Henry Wilkins
CONTRIBUTOR:
DATELINE: Renk, South Sudan
VIDEOGRAPHER: Henry Wilkins
VIDEO EDITOR: Henry Wilkins
ASSIGNING EDITOR: Daniel Schearf
SCRIPT EDITORS: pcd, DLJ
VIDEO SOURCES: VOA, Zoom
PLATFORMS: WEB __ TV _x_ RADIO _x_
TRT:
VID APPROVED BY:
TYPE:
EDITOR NOTES:))
((INTRO)) The U.N says more than 100,000 South Sudanese living in Sudan have returned to their home country since Sudan's conflict broke out in April. That number is growing rapidly, with an average of 1,000 more arriving each day. Reporter Henry Wilkins reports from Renk, South Sudan.
((VIDEO-VOA: TRANSIT CENTER - various, HAKKIM - various))
((NARRATOR))
The town of Renk, in northern South Sudan, is accessible only by a long boat ride or plane from the capital Juba. But it is connected to Sudan’s capital, Khartoum, by a paved road.
Since Sudan’s war erupted in April, the food and goods that used to arrive along the road have stopped coming. South Sudanese who fled to Sudan years ago for refuge from their own country’s civil war arrive instead.
They are in desperate need of help.
Francis James Hakim says the journey here was perilous as they passed checkpoints run by the Sudanese Army and the paramilitary group the army is at war with, the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
((Francis James Hakim, Returnee (male in Arabic, ?? secs)))
“On the way we found the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They checked and searched us thoroughly. If you have ID, no problem, but if you tell them that you are Sudanese, it's a problem for sure. The only solution is bribery, if you have enough money, they let you go.”
(( Radio track: Hakim says on the way, we found the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). They checked and searched us thoroughly, he says. If you have ID, no problem, but if you tell them that you are Sudanese, it's a problem for sure. He says the only solution is bribery. If you have enough money, they let you go.”
((VIDEO-VOA: RETURNEE CENTER - various, AYIIK - various))
((NARRATOR))
Many returnees like Hakim identify as Sudanese, because they have lived there most or sometimes all of their lives, but do not have citizenship. Hakim left South Sudan when he was a toddler.
More than 100,000 returnees have arrived in South Sudan, mostly through Renk, since Sudan’s conflict began, but having escaped the fighting they are faced with a new set of problems.
Lan Ayiik is a community leader among the returnees.
((Lan Ayiik, Returnee Community Leader (in Dinka, ?? secs)))
“We came from Khartoum, but the problem facing us now instead of insecurity is that we do not have enough to eat. We also have a problem with shelter. It’s the rainy season. Everyone here is living without proper shelter.”
(( Radio track: “He says we came from Khartoum, but the problem facing us now instead of insecurity is that we do not have enough to eat. He says we also have a problem with shelter. It’s the rainy season, he adds, and everyone here is living without proper shelter. ))
((VIDEO-VOA: TRANSIT CENTER - various, WILLIAM - various))
((NARRATOR))
The U.N. says roughly 1,000 people are arriving to Renk each day, with no end in sight to Sudan’s war.
((For radio: Kiganzi Nyakato is with the UN’s World Food Program in South Sudan))
((Kiganzi Nyakato, World Food Program (in English, ?? secs)))
“We do expect more, as we hear that the conflict is intensifying, increasing and spreading across South Kordofan and other parts of Sudan. We are expecting much more. The rains have not helped. They’re preparing for cholera, measles cases have started being reported.”
((VIDEO-VOA: RETURNEE CENTER - various, WILLIAM - various))
((NARRATOR))
Although the returnees are citizens, the South Sudanese government does not want them to stay in Renk.
They are being relocated to other parts of the country, where, because they are citizens, they will have access to the labor market and have at least some hope of supporting themselves.
Most say they want to get out of Renk, which is starved of resources to support them, due to access difficulties and lack of funding, as soon as possible.
((For radio: Theresa William is another returnee.))
((Theresa William, Returnee (in Arabic, ?? secs)))
“They need to clear [these returnee sites] so we can live peacefully. The conditions here are very challenging. People are living outside and they're suffering. You can see the reality.”
((For radio: She says the authorities need to clear the returnee sites so the community can live peacefully. The conditions are very challenging, people are living outside and they’re suffering. “You can see the reality,” she adds.))
((VIDEO-VOA: TRANSIT CENTER - various))
((NARRATOR))
Yet as the U.N. and local authorities struggle to relocate the huge numbers arriving, it’s unclear how long she will have to remain in the limbo of Renk.
((Henry Wilkins, for VOA News, Renk, South Sudan))
NewsML Media TopicsArts, Culture, Entertainment and Media
NetworkVOA
Location (dateline)Renk, South Sudan
Embargo DateJuly 26, 2023 07:41 EDT
BylineHenry Wilkins
Brand / Language ServiceVoice of America - English
