The state of Kassala has decided to evacuate the three camps for displaced persons remaining in the state, starting on February 10. Humanitarian Aid Commissioner Idris said in a meeting with foreign and national organizations at the state government secretariat yesterday that the state government had decided to evacuate the Karama camp west of the airport on February 10, “because the reasons for displacement no longer exist, in addition to the conversion of all organizations’ projects from relief to development projects.”
The commissioner revealed the stages of the evacuation of the camps, starting with the camp west of the airport, followed by the Khashm al-Qirba camp and then the Karama Onion Factory (2), noting that a plan has been put in place to relocate those affected. He said that displaced persons who do not wish to return and remain in Kassala have the option, as Sudanese citizens, to claim a plot of residential land or rental housing.
According to the International Organization for Migration, the number of displaced persons in Kassala state last November reached 56,390, a decrease of 9%. This was after the return of displaced persons to Khartoum and Al-Jazira.
Participation of organizations:
The Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid called on organizations to participate in the return program and complete the roles they began with regard to displaced persons since the start of the war. During the meeting, arrangements for the voluntary return of displaced persons were discussed, as well as the contribution of foreign and national organizations and their role in the voluntary return of displaced persons to their states and the provision of transportation in the form of buses and trucks, in addition to providing food baskets for all families. It is worth noting that Al-Ru’ya Organization announced its commitment to provide 305 food baskets within the specified time.
A 60 percent decrease:
The Humanitarian Aid Commissioner in Kassala State had announced in previous statements their intention to evacuate the camp before the arrival of Ramadan, except for displaced persons from Darfur. He pointed out that the state currently has only three shelters left out of 309 in all localities except Takol. He said that the state had been sheltering 148,000 families since April 2023, noting that the number had declined after the voluntary return.
