Norwegian NGO launches $5 million project for returnees in Northern Bahr el Ghazal

AWEL – The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC), a Norwegian humanitarian, non-governmental organization that protects the rights of people affected by displacement, has launched a $5 million project in Northern Bahr el Ghazal State to support the resilience of returnees.

The launch was met with joy by both returnees and local authorities.

During the ceremony on Monday, NRC Country Director Mr. Kennedy Moboga expressed his hope for increased resilience and self-reliance among the region’s population.

“This project is aimed at changing the mindsets of the people,” Mr. Moboga outlined. “We want to look at ways of making people more productive. We want to make people to be self-reliant. Have your own food, have your economic undertaking to live on.”

He reiterated” “We want to make people to be proud, have dignity and live a normal life. So. we want these people to own it and we want them to own it so that they have dignity not be beggars.”

Moboga emphasized the project’s three-year timeframe in Aweil West, Aweil North counties, with expansion planned to cover other areas by at least 2026.

He urged citizens to take food production seriously.

Northern Bahr el Gazal State Deputy Governor Mr. Tong Chol Ayat welcomed the NRC intervention and urged returnees to actively participate in the initiative.

Hundreds of thousands of returnees remain displaced, living in camps or under makeshift shelters. The ministry of humanitarian affairs and disaster management collaborates with international actors to address the challenges faced by both returnees and refugees.