Juba, South Sudan - Recent

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The South Sudanese government has launched a reintegration program for returnees and refugees who have fled violence in the neighboring Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), to help them assimilate into local communities.

Akuai Deng is South Sudanese, but was born and raised in Sudan. The mother of two fled Sudan when the new round of conflict broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in April last year.

She now runs a car wash business in South Sudan's capital Juba.

The United Nations said more than 500,000 South Sudanese who previously lived in Sudan have now returned. Meanwhile, South Sudan hosts some 330,000 refugees and asylum-seekers from other countries.

However, aid agencies said refugees are facing a hunger crisis as humanitarian funding dries up, with food rations dwindling amid soaring food costs.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) provides food rations and cash to refugees and South Sudanese returnees fleeing the violence in the neighboring Sudan.

However, it said recent funding shortfalls mean refugees seeking safety in South Sudan only receive half of what is considered a full food ration.

South Sudan still has more than 2 million internally displaced persons due to its domestic conflict. The displaced people also depend on food aid.

South Sudan's government said it is doing all it can to assist those fleeing the violence in other countries.

For returnees like Akuai Deng, their hope is that South Sudan's government will bring lasting peace in the country as they settle down.

Shotlist:
Juba, South Sudan - Recent:
1. Various of Akuai Deng washing motor tricycle;
2. SOUNDBITE (Arabic, dubbed with English) Akuai Deng, South Sudan's returnee (starting with shot 1/ending with shot 3):
"This is the first time in my life to come to Juba. I have found things here totally different from what I was used to in Sudan. If you want to get bread for your children, you must work for it. That's why I started this business.";
3. Various of Akuai Deng washing motor tricycle;
4. Various of refugees, camps, temporary shelters;
5. SOUNDBITE (English) Kitumanini Julienne, refugee from Democratic Republic of Congo:
"We are requesting for all organizations to help us because this refugee life is not easy. We are suffering, and no one wants to be a refugee. But through what we are facing, we are forced to live such a life.";
6. UN vehicle in refugee center;
7. Customers shopping at food market;
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Angelina Teny, South Sudan's Interior Minister (partially overlaid with shot 9):
"They are included because they enter into the normal schools. They are not segregated against. They use the same health services, which is not the case in many other countries. Despite the fact that we have challenges, actually we have done better than most countries who actually have resources. So we have been integrating them. They are allowed to travel and move freely within the country, choose where to go and live.";
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
9. Various of refugees living in temporary shelters;
[SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
10. Various of staff members of aid agency distributing food.

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