(UN News Service) ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA – The Tripartite Commission on the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees in Ethiopia projected a repatriation figure of 12,000 for the year 2009- a number close to half of the 26,492 refugees currently in Ethiopia. Most of them will go from Fugnido camp in Gambella which is accommodating 21,690 refugees.

A further 2,000 are expected to return to Upper Nile and other States during late 2008 if conditions allow.

Composed of officials of the governments of Ethiopia and Sudan and representatives of UNHCR, the Commission was established by the Tripartite Agreement the three sides had signed in February 2006 which paved the way for tens of thousands of refugees to repatriate in a safe and dignified manner. The Agreement also set out the roles and obligations of each side in facilitating the repatriation. The Commission is charged with coordinating and planning the repatriation activities and giving guidance on the matter.

Concluding its third meeting here late yesterday, the Commission said in a joint communiqué that the projections can be translated into actual achievements if all parties to the repatriation- the governments of Ethiopia and Sudan, UNHCR and other UN agencies, NGO partners and the donor community- discharge their responsibilities well.

It underlined the need for more investment in the areas of return in order for the return exercise to be a truly lasting solution. “More investment and social infrastructure is needed in Upper Nile and Jonglei States to ensure the sustainability of returns. In this, the Government of Sudan and UNHCR undertook to redouble their efforts to attract adequate funding and partnerships and investment to ensure sustainable reintegration,” a paragraph from the joint communiqué reads.

The Commission expressed concern on the accessibility problems that afflict the repatriation operation, particularly the collapse of the Pagak bridge in Gambella Regional State and inaccessibility of a 17km road Kuorgen-Pagak road. It called for exerting more efforts on the parts of all concerned to ensure that lack of accessibility shall not hamper the pace of the repatriation. It also recommended the option of airlift for those going to otherwise inaccessible destinations in Southern Sudan such as Akobo and Pochalla.