Factors Effecting Displaced Persons’ Decision to Return: IDPs and Returnees in Wed el Basheir and Rural Lagawa (2004-2007)

Abstract

The present study has been carried out at Wed el Basheir (WeB) Internally Displaced Persons’ (IDPs) camp in Omdurman, Sudan, as well as returnees at rural Lagawa, southern Kordofan in the period extending from 2004 to 2007. This study aimed at investigating the impact of some socio-economic factors on the Internally Displaced Persons’ decision to return to their home villages on one hand, and the effect of those factors on making repatriation sustainable on the other, with the emphasis on the provision of educational opportunities, adequate level of health services, and job opportunities in both areas of displacement and return. In addition it explores the obstacles that prevent the implementation of the voluntary return of the displaced persons to Lagawa locality in a sustainable way. The methodology for this study was based on the descriptive and analytical approach; the study employed the primary and secondary sources. The primary sources comprised personal interviews with some of the representatives of the organizations operating in the displacement and voluntary return programs in both of Khartoum and Lagawa area. The core of the study was based on fieldwork, questionnaire was distributed among 50 Internally Displaced Person from south Kordofan at Wed El Basheir camp in Omdurman, as well as 50 returnee at rural Lagawa, south Kordofan via simple random sampling .Moreover, the study used the secondary sources that were obtained from relevant literature and documentation, a process that continued throughout the study, this included policy and programme documents on return and reintegration, other studies on return in Sudan as well as assessments and data on the return process, recent evaluations and background documents on the areas of return, and the internet. The study has concluded with a main finding, that the decision of the Internally Displaced Persons to return and settle in their villages mainly depends on the provision of basic services. If peace represents the pre condition for the Internally Displaced Persons return and stability, the provision of basic services could also be a necessary requirement for their return and permanent settlement. The main reasons for Southern Kordofan’s displaced persons reluctance to return to their original areas after the war has ended are: i) the lack of educational opportunities for their sons, ii) lack of income generating opportunities, iii) water provision and agricultural- based facilities, iiii) landmines and 5 unexploded ordnance pose a significant obstacle to the safety of returnees, in addition the efforts being exerted by the Government and organizations operating in the Internally Displaced Persons’ repatriation programs lack coordination and arrangement of the returnees’ requirements in a accordance with priorities. The research recommends that education, health services, drinking water should be provided to encourage return of Internally Displaced Persons. Coordination among the various bodies concerned with the programs of return is important to arrange the returnees’ priorities and establishing schemes that would encourage the Internally Displaced Persons to return to their native areas.