MALAKAL - When civil war erupted in 2013, the residents of Hai Matar village were forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary in a United Nations Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, Upper Nile.

After twelve years of enduring difficult living conditions alongside tens of thousands of other families, they have finally returned to the land they left behind.

“I am so happy to be moving into our new home with my children and with the presence of police stationed in our area to protect us and provide security, especially through patrols at night. We are now living peacefully here with our neighbours,” said newly returned Hai Matar resident, Mary Aban Akon.

The initiative led by the UN family, including the United Nations Mission in South Sudan, UN Mine Action Service, UNHCR, and IOM, involved clearing five million square meters of land of unexploded ordnances to provide a safe environment, the construction of 128 new shelters, the provision of a police post, and training local police in community policing and gender-responsive practices. The project was also supported by the European Union.

“As the first occupiers of this place, you can show an example to others who will follow, the importance of working together to foster growth and development,” said UNMISS Civil Affairs Officer, Paul Ebikwo. “This is just the beginning. We hope this place will develop into something much bigger and better, but the path towards this outcome is through collaboration, cooperation and living together, united in peace.”

While the residents are pleased to be home, they have concerns about insecurity as well as access to basic services, like healthcare and education for their children.

“Our main concern is the issue of access to safe drinking water. We also have many vulnerable people living here with disabilities who have returned from Sudan because of the war who need special support,” said Gabriel Gwado, Hai Matar community leader.

The relocation process has been gradual, and is not complete but, given already stretched humanitarian and development funding, there will be a need for the Government of South Sudan and other partners to support the settlement process.

“As humanitarians, we walk the journey with you to a certain extent, but we also reach a point where we have to hand it over to you,” said Hilda Ochunyo, from the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

“We want to bring back Hai Matar to where it was, but we cannot be with you to bring it back all the way, otherwise other locations would suffer and we don’t have the money for that. We set the ground for you and then leave it for you to develop.”

The initiative is an example of the power of partnerships between the United Nations, state authorities and communities to implement locally led solutions that help restore the peace and stability the people of South Sudan deserve.