Some 8,000 refugees from Sudan moved from Hofra to Kilo 18 camp over the weekend, amid reports that up to 15,000 new arrivals could enter Upper Nile state in the coming days.
UNHCR’s Fred Cussigh said the move was necessitated by the rapid deterioration of living conditions at Hofra, in Maban county of Upper Nile.He added that the risk factors for the population of over 30,000 refugees became amplified as the supply of potable water in Hofra dwindled.
Last week the medical charity MSF reported seven deaths in Hofra, which is located some 25 kilometres from the border with Sudan.
Mr Cussigh said the deaths were linked to the poor state of refugees arriving from Blue Nile state: they are generally exhausted, hungry and dehydrated from long journeys on foot with little or nothing to eat or drink.
Hofra (also known as Rum) was designated as a transit site two weeks ago, following the recent surge in numbers of new arrivals, while agencies continued efforts to address critical water gaps.
Mr Cussigh confirms that agencies had been searching alternative sites as the water supply in Hofra declined.