UN launches air operation to bring home Darfur refugees

GENEVA, Dec. 15 (Xinhua) -- UN refugee agency UNHCR said Friday it started the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees from a camp in Bambari, in the Central African Republic (CAR).

More than 230 refugees have arrived at Sudan's Nyala airport since the returns began on Tuesday, UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch said at a briefing here.

"Sixty-six UNHCR chartered flights are scheduled to bring some 1,500 refugees home before the end of the year," said Baloch.

Nearly 3,500 refugees had fled from South Darfur to CAR in 2007 during the conflict between the Sudanese forces and armed groups. Refugees were hosted in Pladama Ouaka camp, near Bambari.

Returning refugees are currently hosted in a transit center in the capital of South Darfur State and will return to their home villages in Dafag, South Darfur, located at some 350 km from Nyala.

"UNHCR is working with the governments of Sudan and CAR in assisting the returnees with air and land transportation and return packages," said Baloch.

Returning refugees will also have access to land.

Sudan has pledged to implement international standards governing refugee returns, including the benefit of amnesties, as well as UNHCR's role in monitoring the returns.

The war in the Darfur region of Sudan broke out in February 2003, when rebel groups began fighting the government of Sudan. The ensuing conflict killed tens of thousands and displaced millions of people within Sudan and over its borders.

Around 2 million people are currently displaced inside the country, while more than 650,000 Sudanese refugees live in the neighboring countries such as Chad and South Sudan. Enditem