The International Organization for Migration (IOM), backed by the European Union and other partners, is scaling up efforts to assist tens of thousands of South Sudanese returning home after fleeing the conflict in neighboring Sudan.
Since fighting erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on April 15, 2023, nearly 13 million people have been displaced, according to the United Nations. More than 744,000 South Sudanese who had been living in Sudan as refugees have since returned, the UN refugee agency (UNHCR) and IOM said.
In Upper Nile State, IOM has supported more than 223,000 returnees—most of them South Sudanese—to continue their journeys to destinations across the country since 2023. The Bulukat Transit Centre in Malakal has become a critical reception hub, where returnees arriving from the border town of Renk receive food, shelter and other humanitarian assistance before traveling onward, often by air.
A high-level IOM delegation led by Deputy Director General for Management and Reform SungAh Lee visited Malakal on Tuesday to assess the ongoing response and highlight the need for sustained international support.
“I’m really impressed with the operation here,” Lee said. “We need to collaborate closely with other UN agencies, governments and local communities. Our humanitarian work must also lead to transition, recovery and resilience—empowering people to live with dignity and stability.”
Lee said IOM’s strategy focuses on building resilience through two main pillars: strengthening essential services and infrastructure, and investing in skills and capacity development for long-term sustainability.
During the visit, the delegation also toured the Malakal Vocational Training Centre (VTC), funded by the European Union. The centre offers training in mechanics, masonry, carpentry, information technology, tailoring and hairdressing—skills aligned with local labour market needs.
“These courses are empowering individuals and communities, helping them build livelihoods and contribute to a more vibrant Malakal,” said IOM South Sudan Chief of Mission Vijaya Souri.
EU Ambassador to South Sudan, Pellets Enarsson, said the bloc remains committed to supporting reintegration and resilience efforts.
“We are supporting IOM and UNHCR in this joint project for the reintegration of returnees—to equip them for the future,” Enarsson said.
French Ambassador Philippe Michel-Kleisbauer, who also joined the visit, reaffirmed France’s support for South Sudan’s post-conflict recovery.
International partners say that while immediate humanitarian needs remain urgent, the long-term focus must be on helping returnees rebuild their lives and supporting host communities to strengthen resilience and economic recovery.