Foreign investors from the East Africa fleeing border clashes between South Sudan and Sudan said the security situation in Unity State is alarming and called for an urgent humanitarian response.
Norah Namuwaya from Uganda was selling imported shoes and clothes in Bentiu, the capital of Unity State. She told Good News Radio on her way to Juba that the fighting in Unity State is serious although she initially ignored leaflets in Arabic warning all foreigners to leave.She expressed fear that more people in Unity State are likely to loose their lives and properties.
Ms Namuwaya urged the UN and other humanitarian organizations to respond to the emerging crisis with speed especially providing health services.
One of the victims of the ongoing bombardments, a Ugandan lady, who lost both hands and legs in a bomb attack, died in Mayom county due to lack of medical attention.
Ms Namuwaya recalled that at the beginning of the week bombs hit Bentiu four times, leaving at least seven people dead.
She said local residents are also fleeing the clashes and on Monday morning a number of families were carrying their belongings on foot as they left Bentiu to safer locations.
Ms Namuwaya said she decided to relocate her business from Bentiu because most customers fled the area.
The Ugandan businesswoman said she suffered a great loss and that her next stop is Juba where she intends to sell the remaining stock before leaving for home.
Kenneth Nkoyoyo, another trader running a business venture at Suuk Chabi in Bentiu, said East African business people operating in Unity State are scared.
Over two dozens of foreign traders fleeing the border clashes passed through Rumbek on their way to Juba on Monday.
They said they hoped to return to Unity State when the security situation returned to normalcy.