Stakeholders pose for a photo during the launch of an action plan on challenges facing displaced persons. (Photo: Nyathong William/Eye Radio).

South Sudan government and humanitarian partners on Thursday unveiled a five-year action plan for tackling challenges encountered by displaced individuals across the country.

The 65 page-document titled; Achieving Durable Solutions, aims to safeguard the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) for a safe and dignified return in line with the 2018 peace deal and other relevant policies.

Vice President Rebecca Nyandeng said the action plan is to support individuals as they seek to return home, settle elsewhere, or integrate into new communities.

Nyandeng, also the Chairperson of Gender, Youth and Humanitarian Affairs Cluster, said the initiative seeks to provide effective responses to the complexities of displacement while prioritizing the needs and voices of affected individuals in decision-making.

“This document is designed to guide authorities at all levels, humanitarian and development organizations, and other stakeholders in addressing the challenges encountered by displaced individuals,” the vice president said during the launch in Juba.

Nyandeng said the plan will help the displaced populations as they endeavor to return to their areas of origin, settle in alternative locations, or integrated into the societies to which they were displaced.

He said the document aims to uphold the rights of refugees and internally displaced persons to return safely and with dignity by the R-RRCS and other relevant policy instruments.

Vice President Nyandeng said that such efforts must align with key government objectives, particularly the national vision for 2040 and the peace agreement.

“The integration of refugees, IDPs, returnees, and host communities, including their livelihoods, and the strengthening of government institutional capacities are critical aspects.”

“Realizing these goals will significantly contribute to government priorities, priorities with a national vision, 2040, and the revitalized peace agreement on the resolutions of the conflict in the Republic of South Sudan.”

Meanwhile, the Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management Albino Akol urged donors, development actors, and the private sector to support a strategy focused on aiding returnees and vulnerable populations, including refugees and internally displaced persons in high-return areas such as Malakal and Juba.

He stressed the need to invest in essential activities that address basic needs such as livelihoods, infrastructure, health, and education to improve the overall quality of life in these communities.

“I appeal for support to the implementation of the strategy to achieve solutions, particularly for returnees across the country, especially in high-return areas such as Malakal and Juba, refugees in Awiel, Yambio, Jam Jam, Maban, and Pochala, IDPs in protracted situations, and host communities.”

“What is required is investment in solution activities which ensures basic needs are met. This includes livelihoods, infrastructure, development, health, education, and education to improve quality of life.”

South Sudan’s post independence civil wars and climate change factors have left over 2.2 million refugees and 2.2 million Internally displaced, according to the UN refugee agency UNHCR.

Meanwhile, there has been a significant humanitarian crisis leading to mass displacement of approximately 800,000 people from Sudan to South Sudan since the outbreak of conflict in Khartoum in April 2023.

On her part, Anita Kiki, the Deputy Special Representative in the United Nations Mission in South Sudan and Resident Coordinator in South Sudan urged stakholders to collaborate towards achieving a peaceful and stable South Sudan.

She emphasized the need to ensure that all individuals, especially internally displaced persons and refugees, are not overlooked in this mission.

“I urge everyone present to join hands in this endeavor because ultimately we are committed to South Sudan’s vision, a vision of a peaceful and stable South Sudan where no one, least of all its internally displaced and refugees, are left behind.”