Hundreds of thousands of southerners continue to arrive in South Sudan six months after the country gained its independence from the North.

Tearfund estimates that around 340,000 southerners have returned in the year since the crucial referendum that led to the establishment of the world’s newest country. Another 340,000 are expected to arrive from Sudan in the coming months.

Providing shelter, food and a new life to the returning southerners is just one of the many challenges facing South Sudan.

As one of the poorest countries in the world, basic infrastructure such as roads, schools and hospitals need to be built virtually from scratch after decades of devastating war.

At present, there is little option for the returnees but to set up camp on the strip of land along the rail tracks where they first arrived in the South.

They are being moved one by one to a newly set up transit camp. Tearfund is lending a helping hand to the returnees by providing water and sanitation, as well as seeds and tools so that the returnees can develop a small vegetable plot. The crop can be used to feed their families and any extra sold at market.

Tearfund’s country representative for Sudan and South Sudan, Jonas Njelango, says external humanitarian support will be needed to help South Sudan get back on its feet.

The drought affecting large parts of East Africa is also being felt in South Sudan. Food prices are high, inflation is at 60%, and intertribal violence remains a problem.

Many parts of the country do not have mains electricity or running water, and food security is also an issue.

“The numbers of people returning to South Sudan puts a great deal of pressure on communities that are already vulnerable,” said Njelango.

In spite of the difficulties, the mood across the country is positive, he says.

“There is still a huge amount of optimism for the people of South Sudan after gaining their independence in July 2011, despite the challenges.

“It’s a marked contrast to a decade ago when the country was experiencing serious famine and in the middle of a war.

“There’s a palpable sense of joy on the streets of Juba and in the villages. The people of South Sudan are amazingly resilient, having endured many decades of conflict and hardship.

“Whenever we travel through the south, local villagers talk proudly about independence.”