The UN Refugee Agency has reported that the number of new arrivals to South Sudan surpassed 100 thousand.
UNHCR Assistant High Commissioner for Operations, Raouf Mazou, urges the international community to not forget about South Sudan.
Since the start of the conflict in Sudan on April 15, thousands have fled across the border daily to South Sudan, the majority of whom are South Sudanese returnees who are now coming back to the country.
The UN says returnees are arriving alongside refugees from Sudan and various other nationalities, all of whom the government has generously welcomed.
“The South Sudan situation is unique. The vast majority of people arriving are South Sudanese who are coming back to their country of origin, compelled by circumstances, returning to communities that are still impacted by insecurity, with very limited services and infrastructure.”
Mr. Mazou says the majority of those fleeing the violence are arriving after long, difficult journeys, in remote border towns like Renk, where prices for basic items have skyrocketed.
He highlighted that UNHCR and IOM are co-leading the response with the government, and together with partners are monitoring 27 border points across the country and has set up transit centers in key locations to provide vulnerable new arrivals with immediate life-saving support.
Since fighting broke out between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) on 15 April, violence has increased threefold compared to the five weeks prior.