IOM Onward Transport Assistance Boosts Livelihoods for boat Operators in Malakal

On April 15, 2023, abrupt fighting in Sudan triggered a large-scale exodus of people fleeing to neighbouring countries. South Sudan, already grappling with its own internal conflicts and limited resources, faced a unique challenge. Unlike other neighbouring countries, over 80% of these arrivals were South Sudanese returnees desperate to reach their final homes. Adding to the complexity, South Sudan's fragile state is marked by sub-national violence and an almost non-existent communication infrastructure. As the returnee population surged, particularly in Renk, Upper Nile State, fears of ethnic clashes and disease outbreaks grew amidst crowded transit centres.

Recognizing the urgent need, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) with financial support from the Central Emergency Response Fund (CERF), Bureau of Population Refugees and Migration, Germany Federal Foreign Office and South Sudan Humanitarian Fund (SSHF) emerged one of the first responders, providing Onward Transportation Assistance to returnees. Due to the lack of infrastructure, this "onward transportation assistance" program utilized a creative solution: distributing cash vouchers for commercial boat journeys from Renk to Malakal, followed by flight assistance from Malakal to their final destinations.

While the two-day boat journey posed risks, especially for children, women, and minorities, IOM successfully transported 20,000 returnees – primarily women and children – to their homes. Seeing the success, other aid agencies joined the effort, enabling IOM to transport over 120,000 returnees through a combination of road, river, and air operations. This swift action not only mitigated the risk of unrest in Renk but also avoided the costly establishment and long-term maintenance of a permanent camp.
The financial support  extended beyond immediate needs. Cash injections into the local economy empowered local boat unions and revitalized markets in Renk and Malakal, creating valuable livelihood opportunities. This economic boost thrived despite the border conflict, demonstrating the ripple effect of humanitarian aid.

Marko, originally from Malakal town is one of the boat owners benefiting from this support.  He used to have many boats and were thriving financially before conflict broke out in South Sudan in 2013. Back in the days, he transported cargo between Juba – Malakal – along major towns in the greater Upper Nile states, he would even go all the way to Khartoum. The Government, United Nations agencies and International Non-governmental Organizations also used to contract his boats to transport humanitarian assistance to people in need in Upper Nile state at a sizable scale.

He managed to keep two boats after the war, and continued to transport cargo from Khartoum until the Sudan crisis completely disrupted the supply chain and local market.

“In April 2023, I heard there are thousands of fellow South Sudanese who got stuck in Renk, and I wondered, how is this nation going to help them with their onward journeys.

As a boat owner, I thought about offering some help, but honestly, I cannot sustain the costs of operating my boats – the cost for fuel also tripled at the same time, I needed to make a living. People running away from conflicts, they don’t have much money. As all these were running in my head, I got a call from the boat union leader telling me IOM will pay for the boat ticket costs if I could offer my boat to transport returnees from Renk to Malakal. I gladly said yes.” Says Marko, a boat captain.

The movement of returnees, facilitated by IOM’s transportation voucher payable as ‘boat ticket’ had created new livelihood/business opportunities for the host community. The public/local boats, after offloading the returnees in Malakal and redeem the transportation voucher costs from IOM, will load cargos before heading back to Renk; the boats also take on passengers who wish to travel up to Renk or to other towns along the river.