Media Home
UN Web TV
UN Audiovisual Library
UN PhotoSOUTH SUDAN / FAMILY RESETTLEMENT
Download
There is no media available to download.
Share
STORY: SOUTH SUDAN / FAMILY RESETTLEMENT
TRT: 05:01
SOURCE: UNMISS
RESTRICTIONS: NONE
LANGUAGE: SHILLUK / ENGLISH / ARABIC / NATS
DATELINE: 17, 21 MAY 2025, MALAKAL, SOUTH SUDAN
17 MAY 2025, MALAKAL, SOUTH SUDAN
1. Various shots, United Nations Protection of Civilians site in Malakal and people dancing in a cultural event
21 MAY 2025, MALAKAL, SOUTH SUDAN
2. Various shots, women and men of Hai Matar singing and dancing
3. Wide shot, handing over a shelter/house to new occupants
4. Med shot, awarding a certificate of Hai Matar residence
5. SOUNDBITE (Shilluk) Mary Aban Akon, Newly Returned Hai Matar Resident:
“I am so happy, indeed, for the house that the humanitarians built for us, and I am living here with my children after returning from Sudan. I am also happy with the presence of police stationed in our area to provide security and protect us. They are doing patrols at night, and we are living here peacefully with our neighbours.”
6. Wide shot, amputee / disabled women with children inside room
7. Wide shot, people follow handing over of a house
8. Med shot, disabled boy
9. SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Ebikwo, Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“As you become the first occupiers of this place who will show an example to others who will be coming after you to understand the fact that you need to work together as one. And, not only because it is good, but because anything that speaks to disagreement, conflict and disunity fosters growth and development. This is just the beginning; we are hoping that this place will develop into something much bigger and better than this but the path to that development and growth is by unity, collaboration, cooperation and living together as one in peace.”
10. Wide shot, Hai Matar people, government officials and UN staff seated
11. Med shot, shelter owners
12. Wide shot, women of Hai Mattar seated
13. Med shot, staff
14. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Gabriel Gwado, Community Leader / Chief, Hai Matar:
“Most of the people who are living here are those who came from Sudan, among them are vulnerable people living with disabilities, there should be a centre for special needs for them, because they can’t move to long distances, our main concern is the issue of safe water.”
15. Med shot, Hai Matar block leaders
16. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Michael Nyatho Nyunki, State Minister of Housing, South Sudan:
“As we agreed together earlier, 70 percent of the area security is in your hands, as the citizens, not us, the government or police, it’s yours. The theft of property here comes from the citizens themselves, your own children, not a stranger, so you are responsible for protecting your houses. If you carelessly leave your house empty and things are stolen, then you bear the responsibility.”
17. Med shot, people seated
18. SOUNDBITE (English) Hilda Ochunyo, Coordinator, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “
“As humanitarians, we walk the journey with you to a certain extent, but we hand it over to you. This has been mentioned as a durable solution. 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, as we have heard, we don’t have the money for that. We set the ground for you and then leave it for you to develop.”
19. Wide shot, Hai Matar police post
20. Med shot, police officers
21. Wide shot, young men digging and preparing farm for cultivation in Hai Matar
When the civil war erupted in 2013, the residents of the Hai Matar village were forced to flee their homes and seek sanctuary in a United Nations Protection of Civilians site in Malakal, Upper Nile. Twelve years later, they have finally returned to the land they left behind, moving into 128 new shelters, constructed by humanitarian agencies and other partners.
The community has also been joined by many returnees who crossed the border back into South Sudan to escape the brutal war in neighbouring Sudan.
SOUNDBITE (Shilluk) Mary Aban Akon, Newly Returned Hai Matar Resident:
“I am so happy, indeed, for the house that the humanitarians built for us, and I am living here with my children after returning from Sudan. I am also happy with the presence of police stationed in our area to provide security and protect us. They are doing patrols at night, and we are living here peacefully with our neighbours.”
The initiative was led by the UN family, including UNHCR, IOM, and the United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS), which cleared five million square meters of land of unexploded ordnances to provide a safe environment. The United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS) provided containers to enable the installation of a police post and UN Police Officers trained local counterparts in community policing and gender-responsive practices. The project was also supported by the European Union (EU).
SOUNDBITE (English) Paul Ebikwo, Civil Affairs Officer, United Nations Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS):
“As you become the first occupiers of this place who will show an example to others who will be coming after you to understand the fact that you need to work together as one. And, not only because it is good, but because anything that speaks to disagreement, conflict and disunity fosters growth and development. This is just the beginning; we are hoping that this place will develop into something much bigger and better than this but the path to that development and growth is by unity, collaboration, cooperation and living together as one in peace.”
While the residents are pleased to be home, they have concerns about insecurity as well as access to basic services, like clean water, healthcare and education for their children.
The State government is monitoring the return process to prevent disputes and potential conflict over landownership.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Gabriel Gwado, Community Leader / Chief, Hai Matar:
“Most of the people who are living here are those who came from Sudan, among them are vulnerable people living with disabilities, there should be a centre for special needs for them, because they can’t move to long distances, our main concern is the issue of safe water.”
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 the communities themselves to support the settlement process.
SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Michael Nyatho Nyunki, State Minister of Housing, South Sudan:
“As we agreed together earlier, 70 percent of the area security is in your hands, as the citizens, not us, the government or police, it’s yours. The theft of property here comes from the citizens themselves, your own children, not a stranger, so you are responsible for protecting your houses. If you carelessly leave your house empty and things are stolen, then you bear the responsibility.”
SOUNDBITE (English) Hilda Ochunyo, Coordinator, United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA): “
“As humanitarians, we walk the journey with you to a certain extent, but we hand it over to you. This has been mentioned as a durable solution. 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, as we have heard, 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.
