Over 400,000 IDPs leave camps in Lango
Sep 13, 2007
AT least 423,720 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Lango region have returned to their homes, the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.
By Patrick Okino
AT least 423,720 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Lango region have returned to their homes, the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.
About 17,200 people, including the elderly, disabled and business people were still stuck in nine camps in Lira, Oyam and Apac districts, UNHCR added.
“Some 92% of 466,000 displaced persons in the Lango have returned. This is because of the improved security situation, ongoing peace talks between the Ugandan Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army and generally improved freedom of movement,†the UNHCR said.
The country representative, Stefano Severe, said at the peak of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, 47 camps were created in Lango to host 459,873 IDPs. He was speaking during the closure of camps in Lira and Oyam districts presided over by the state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, at Otwal in Oyam district on Tuesday. Severe said his organisation was impressed with the resettlement exercise.
The minister said the security in the region had improved and the Government did not expect people to create new camps. He said the Government would start delivering services directly to the parishes not camps.
“Kony will not come back to destabilise people. The Karimojong who used to disturb Teso, Lango and Acholi have been contained. Go back home and be sure of your security,†Ecweru added.
AT least 423,720 internally displaced people (IDPs) in Lango region have returned to their homes, the United Nation High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has said.
About 17,200 people, including the elderly, disabled and business people were still stuck in nine camps in Lira, Oyam and Apac districts, UNHCR added.
“Some 92% of 466,000 displaced persons in the Lango have returned. This is because of the improved security situation, ongoing peace talks between the Ugandan Government and the Lord’s Resistance Army and generally improved freedom of movement,†the UNHCR said.
The country representative, Stefano Severe, said at the peak of the Lord’s Resistance Army insurgency, 47 camps were created in Lango to host 459,873 IDPs. He was speaking during the closure of camps in Lira and Oyam districts presided over by the state minister for disaster preparedness, Musa Ecweru, at Otwal in Oyam district on Tuesday. Severe said his organisation was impressed with the resettlement exercise.
The minister said the security in the region had improved and the Government did not expect people to create new camps. He said the Government would start delivering services directly to the parishes not camps.
“Kony will not come back to destabilise people. The Karimojong who used to disturb Teso, Lango and Acholi have been contained. Go back home and be sure of your security,†Ecweru added.