Kajo-keji MP reacts to IOM report

[Elisabeth Janaina]

Kajo-keji MP reacts to IOM report
Hellen Achayo | August 21, 2017 | 4:59 pm
Some of the displaced civilians at Emmanuel Cathedral in Kajo-keji on
Jan 25, 2017|Credit|Diocese of Kajo-keji

The MP representing Kajo-keji in the transitional parliament has
echoed calls to end hostilities in the area to allow IDPs to return
home.

A survey conducted by the International Organization for Migration
shows that 60 percent of IDPs in Kajo-keji area are currently visiting
their homes.

The majority of civilians ¬fled their home areas due to the conflict
around the end of 2016 and early 2017into northern Uganda, while
others settled in areas forming spontaneous IDP sites.

IOM says the over 17,000 displaced people are currently settled at
three main camps which include Ajio, Kerwa and Logo.

Kajo-keji area MP, Hon. Alfred Taban, told Eye Radio that in order for
IDPs to go back home, they should not be targeted.

“These people are visiting their original areas. That means they are
able to move freely. This is very good. I’m calling for the
authorities in the area – both the armed opposition and the government
– not to target civilians, but to allow them to return to their home
areas so they can live in peace,” said Hon. Taban, who was appointed
recently.

Sixty-nine percent of the IDPs who are visiting their homes indicate
there have not been any reported or known cases of rape or harassment
en route to their area of pre-displacement while, 7 percent indicate
there have been reported or known cases, according to the report.

Those who intend to leave cite access to land and family reunification
as the main push factors for wanting to leave the current IDP
settlement.

Other reasons include security, access to better services and
rebuilding their shelter in their place of pre-displacement.

Read full report here.