9 December 2010 - Warrap State Governor Nyandeng Malek called on the UN and government to assist returnees arriving daily in her state from the north.

Speaking at an emergency meeting of the Council of Ministers, Governor Malek said many returnees had received no humanitarian assistance, including food and non-food items.

Stating that such assistance was ongoing in the state, a Warrap World Food Programme official said his agency had distributed food to returnees and would continue to support them. "Food items, consisting of grains, oil and beans have been distributed to families who have been verified."

Distribution had initially been slow due to lack of transportation from Wau to Kuajok, which had delayed food from reaching some Warrap returnees, the WFP official said. But the transport problem had now been solved.

With less than a month to the January 9 referendum, thousands of internally displaced southerners have begun returning to the southern region. According to Southern Sudan Relief and Rehabilitation Commission (SSRRC) Deputy Chairman for Warrap Luke Mouthel, some 51,800 returnees were expected in the state.

As of 9 December, some 6,000 people had returned to the area from different parts of the north, Mr. Mouthel said. Major challenges facing them were lack of shelter, clean water, food and latrines.

In Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State, preparations were underway to welcome new returnees from the north, said SSRRC State Director Daniel Gar. The first batch -- 7,000 individuals or 5,000 households -- of an expected 87,000 returnees began arriving in the capital Aweil on 10 December.

"Those who are ready to proceed to their counties will be taken. Those who would like to reside here in Aweil town will be taken to an area called Kom, which is prepared by the government of Northern Bahr El-Ghazal State," the SSRRC director said.