The pros and cons of internal displacement: southern sudanese idps in jebel aulia camp, Khartoum state : a case study

Abstract EN

Internal displacement as a demographic feature in the Sudan was mainly induced by wars, conflicts, droughts and floods ever since the 1980s.

Therefore, internally displaced persons (IDPs) have been experiencing internal displacement for more than 20 years, during which both the government and the international NGOs, including the UN agencies, have initiated a range of policies, programs and projects.

Furthermore, new institutions have been established, workshops and conferences organized, to analyze and provide solutions to the various issues of IDPs problems.

The present study is prompted by the interest in the process of internal displacement and the experiences and plight of IDPs over the period 1983-2004.

Jebel Aulia camp was chosen for the case study due to the fact that it is officially registered and dominated by IDPs from South Sudan.

After two decades of internal displacement, the IDPs study reveals that they still face various forms of hardship, including violations of human rights.

The United Nations, despite the guiding principles on IDPs work, has no power to force national governments and NGOs to contribute effectively to the plight of IDPs, which is a big challenge to government, national and international NGOs including the UN system.

On the other hand, the repatriation and resettlement of the returning IDPs will prove more challenging.