Kenya/Sudan: Sudanese refugees in Kenya reluctant to go home

The UN refugee body UNHCR signed an agreement with the governments of Kenya and Sudan to begin the voluntary repatriation of Sudanese refugees living in Kenya. But many southern Sudanese refugees say they are reluctant to return home until education, health, and other services can be provided in the southern part of Sudan, where infrastructures are limited or nonexistent due to 21 years of conflict. "Yes, it’s true, it’s going to take years before southern Sudan is going to reach the level of services that refugees have had in camps in neighboring countries," one refugee, Fakhouri, said. "But it’s going to happen much faster and in a more peaceful way if refugees themselves contribute by returning. The real builders will be returnees."