Sudan Information Campaign for ReturnsThe Sudan Information Campaign for Returns (SICR) is a multi-agency initiative that provides accurate and timely information to internally displaced households returning to their areas of origin, so they can make informed choices about their various return options. UNICEF plays a lead role in this programme, and in 2007 helped ensure that 1.5 million people received information about the return process, conditions in areas of origin, basic rights of returnees and information about education, water and sanitation and other public services available to them. A range of communication materials are developed under UNICEF's guidance, including printed leaflets and posters, radio programmes and videos. Interpersonal communication is undertaken through focus group discussions with IDPs, house to house visits and community information days in IDP camps and other locations. In addition to providing information about reintegration services available to people when they get to their places of origin, UNICEF also supports local Welcoming Committees that help coordinate reintegration efforts. Given the continued threat of landmines in some areas of return, UNICEF also leads efforts to provide mine risk education to returnees - in 2007, three state radio stations produced programmes specifically on this issue, reaching more than 500,000 communities, in addition to mine risk education activities undertaken in IDP camps, prior to the return process starting. Other agencies involved in the SICR programme include the UN Mission in Sudan, the International Office of Migration, the World Food Programme, and a number of international and Sudanese NGOs.
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