top of page
Drums on Sand

Refugees & IDPS

Leap for Life has developed a set of best practices for supporting the mandatory return of South Sudanese refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPS). These best practices, outlined below, are intended to serve as a general framework, with the Leap for Life team in South Sudan using them as a model to guide the design and implementation of return and reintegration assistance projects. Although initially focused on Katire Ayom (Magwi, South Sudan), these practices are also applicable to other villages where individuals are returning to their ancestral lands and seeking to re-establish their homes.

Safari Sunrise

Best Practices for Refugee Return and Reintegration

Information Campaigns
Distribute clear information about return assistance programs to potential returnees and key stakeholders.
 

Legal and Return Counselling
Provide impartial, personalised legal advice to rejected asylum seekers, with experts in protection and repatriation.


Reliable Information
Offer case-specific, up-to-date information on the country of origin to help returnees make informed decisions.
 

Preparation Time
Allow sufficient time for returnees to prepare, including gathering important documents like birth certificates and diplomas.
 

Arrival Support
Provide returnees with information on legal, health, and educational services in their home country, and offer initial humanitarian aid.
 

Housing and Shelter
Assist returnees without housing solutions in securing shelter materials or reconstructing homes on their land.
 

Economic Reintegration
Help asylum seekers develop vocational skills in the host country to support economic reintegration upon return.
 

Children and Education
Offer language training and social activities to help children reintegrate into schools and communities.


Health and Medical Services
Ensure returnees have information on healthcare services, bring medical records, and receive financial support for treatment.
 

Community Integration
Promote activities that involve both returnees and locals to foster reconciliation and integration.


Monitoring and Follow-Up
Work with local partners to track reintegration progress and adjust support as needed.


Cooperation Between Countries
Encourage cooperation between host and origin countries to avoid duplication of services and build local capacity.


Sustainable Return
Ensure conditions are in place for sustainable return, including pre-return information, post-return support, and reconciliation efforts.
 

Key Border Areas for Return Assistance:

  • Katire Ayom (South Sudan)

  • Narusi (Kenya)

  • Nimule (Uganda)

  • South Sudan-Ethiopia Border

​

bottom of page